Yesterday was a big day in our family. Tiny Tornado had to spend an extra day with the babysitter so that her Daddy and I could go to the doctor. We are 20 weeks pregnant and got to discover whether Peanut 2 (P2) was going to be a girl or boy. Both of us were pretty sure P2 was a girl but we still had doubts of course. The best part is getting to see that tiny baby moving around on the screen and knowing that everything is healthy.
Sitting in the dark room, we both got the giggles. The ultrasound technician started the scan and the first thing she says is "baby is curled up and we will see how much we can do". A few minutes later as we watch the tiny baby on the screen spinning, bouncing, waving and kicking the technician says "this baby is very active". As the ultrasound continues on we hear "this baby is making me work for everything, I don't know if we will get everything we need, I am going to have another technician come in for these last few to see if they can't get them". All of these exact words and phrases we had heard once before in August of 2012 when we were 20 weeks pregnant with Tornado. That time we had to have a second ultrasound done because it was not going to happen. This time at least we got all of the required pictures, it only took 20 minutes longer than usual per the technician. After 3 times of checking, P2 finally allowed a look and gave us the answer we were waiting for. Another little girl will be joining our family in September. As we watched the antics on the screen a small measure of concern filled us. Tornado has earned her nickname on a daily basis and doesn't stop moving unless she is sleeping. Can we handle 2 little girls that are that active?
Now that we are on the downhill slide of growing this baby we will make ourselves ready for a second little girl. If she has half the joy and smiles that Tornado has we will survive and flourish. Our family is growing and what an amazing blessing for us to have 2 tiny girls growing and changing every day. Now, however, Tornado is sleeping and I should do the same for shortly naptime will be a thing of the past.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
No Stupid Questions, Only Strange Ones
Today was one of those days where I leave work shaking my head. I understand that people have a lot of questions about their animals. Most days I love answering all of these questions and will spend a long time visiting with anyone who is willing to listen to me and be interested in the health of their pets. Sometimes though, I can't believe the things people ask.
First up was the 5 month old puppy who had not had any vaccines since 8 weeks old when she bought it for a certain amount at a puppy store. I am ok with the vaccines because she didn't know when and why it needed more vaccines. However, her 8 year old child racing through the clinic tormenting the cats, pulling things out of cabinets, and continuously bothering the puppy was frustrating. All of this without any attempt by the mother to stop the behavior. As I try to explain why vaccines are necessary, why spaying and hernia repair is recommended, and what heart worm disease is I watch this 30 pound puppy nibble on the leash, the child, the owner and everything it can reach. As I turn my focus to the puppy he thinks I am a new chew toy and jumps on me. I complete my exam despite the owner and puppy trying to strangle me with the leash. Discussing behavior results in a glazed appearance so maybe we will try that discussion again later. However, as she is checking out she wants to pay later. I politely say we need payment today as we had never seen her before. I am not sure if she will ever be back because she did not like my answer. I will never understand why people purchase pets if they cannot afford the simplest of care . Pets are not a right. This is likely to upset some people but I have seen the result of puppies that don't receive vaccines on time and it is gruesome and often deadly.
The next question was about scheduling a euthanasia. People ask me often how I am able to do that part of my job. For me, that is the hardest and the most rewarding part of my job. I get to ease the pain of my patients and prevent the people who love them from suffering along with them. Sometimes I cry right along with the owners. Sometimes I go home at night and cry myself to sleep over it. Most times I know that it is the right thing at the right time and am at peace with it. This scheduling was one of the rare instances when I wish it had been scheduled much, much earlier. I diagnosed a cat with diabetes almost 2 months ago and the cat was not in good condition at that time. The owners wanted to go home for the weekend and consider euthanasia versus treating. Diabetes is a lifelong disease that requires daily care and can be expensive to treat with many difficulties along the way. Euthanasia is a great option if clients can't commit to the expense and time commitment. At the time of diagnosis it was made very clear that this cat was suffering with the disease and a decision needed to be made within a few days. I scheduled the euthanasia as soon as possible. It breaks my heart to know that this cat has been living with this disease and very likely suffering for 2 months.
The final question of the day was the most confusing. A couple of years ago a dog had bit a child. It was sent to live with the parent of the owner on a farm. This dog then proceeded to attack at least 2 other dogs, killing one of them and seriously injuring another. The dog consistently displays aggression towards strangers, other dogs and with food. When I was unable to guarantee that spaying the dog would fix the behavior concerns we discussed euthanasia as a viable option. Sadly, this happens often. Behavior problems are one of the most common reasons for euthanasia of pets. We discussed the cost of euthanasia. This is the time when it became confusing. The woman on the phone asked me if she could just use human sleeping pills to do the euthanasia at home. I strongly advised her that this would be a very terrible decision and would not be humane for the pet. I recommended she schedule an appointment and she said she would be calling back. Hopefully she does.
These are the days when I leave the building thankful that I get to come home to a family that lets me vent and tell about my day. Thankful that when I walk in the door I am greeted by a small little girl who grins, yells MaMa and runs to me saying uh uh uh (up up up). Thankful for the days that I do get to snuggle puppies and talk with clients who listen to what I am saying and actually care about it. Those things are what get me through days like today where I want to sit some people down and tell them what I really think. Instead, I keep my professional demeanor and let myself shake my head later.
First up was the 5 month old puppy who had not had any vaccines since 8 weeks old when she bought it for a certain amount at a puppy store. I am ok with the vaccines because she didn't know when and why it needed more vaccines. However, her 8 year old child racing through the clinic tormenting the cats, pulling things out of cabinets, and continuously bothering the puppy was frustrating. All of this without any attempt by the mother to stop the behavior. As I try to explain why vaccines are necessary, why spaying and hernia repair is recommended, and what heart worm disease is I watch this 30 pound puppy nibble on the leash, the child, the owner and everything it can reach. As I turn my focus to the puppy he thinks I am a new chew toy and jumps on me. I complete my exam despite the owner and puppy trying to strangle me with the leash. Discussing behavior results in a glazed appearance so maybe we will try that discussion again later. However, as she is checking out she wants to pay later. I politely say we need payment today as we had never seen her before. I am not sure if she will ever be back because she did not like my answer. I will never understand why people purchase pets if they cannot afford the simplest of care . Pets are not a right. This is likely to upset some people but I have seen the result of puppies that don't receive vaccines on time and it is gruesome and often deadly.
The next question was about scheduling a euthanasia. People ask me often how I am able to do that part of my job. For me, that is the hardest and the most rewarding part of my job. I get to ease the pain of my patients and prevent the people who love them from suffering along with them. Sometimes I cry right along with the owners. Sometimes I go home at night and cry myself to sleep over it. Most times I know that it is the right thing at the right time and am at peace with it. This scheduling was one of the rare instances when I wish it had been scheduled much, much earlier. I diagnosed a cat with diabetes almost 2 months ago and the cat was not in good condition at that time. The owners wanted to go home for the weekend and consider euthanasia versus treating. Diabetes is a lifelong disease that requires daily care and can be expensive to treat with many difficulties along the way. Euthanasia is a great option if clients can't commit to the expense and time commitment. At the time of diagnosis it was made very clear that this cat was suffering with the disease and a decision needed to be made within a few days. I scheduled the euthanasia as soon as possible. It breaks my heart to know that this cat has been living with this disease and very likely suffering for 2 months.
The final question of the day was the most confusing. A couple of years ago a dog had bit a child. It was sent to live with the parent of the owner on a farm. This dog then proceeded to attack at least 2 other dogs, killing one of them and seriously injuring another. The dog consistently displays aggression towards strangers, other dogs and with food. When I was unable to guarantee that spaying the dog would fix the behavior concerns we discussed euthanasia as a viable option. Sadly, this happens often. Behavior problems are one of the most common reasons for euthanasia of pets. We discussed the cost of euthanasia. This is the time when it became confusing. The woman on the phone asked me if she could just use human sleeping pills to do the euthanasia at home. I strongly advised her that this would be a very terrible decision and would not be humane for the pet. I recommended she schedule an appointment and she said she would be calling back. Hopefully she does.
These are the days when I leave the building thankful that I get to come home to a family that lets me vent and tell about my day. Thankful that when I walk in the door I am greeted by a small little girl who grins, yells MaMa and runs to me saying uh uh uh (up up up). Thankful for the days that I do get to snuggle puppies and talk with clients who listen to what I am saying and actually care about it. Those things are what get me through days like today where I want to sit some people down and tell them what I really think. Instead, I keep my professional demeanor and let myself shake my head later.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Dinner preparation and a new recipe
Dinner time at our house tends to be a scramble of what to make and what we need for it. I know it would be much easier if I would just make a menu for the month and stick to it but I have a hard enough time figuring out what I want for lunch on one day let alone dinner for 30 days. Now that I am back to work, Brian cooks three days a week at least and those are the days we definitely would benefit from some planning. He ends up having to do the thawing, preparation, and cooking all with Tiny Tornado insisting on either helping, being held, or having a snack. Those are the most difficult days to get a meal on the table and usually it is ready by six despite all of that.
The two days during the week I don't work I am responsible for dinner. Some times I plan ahead, pull something out in the morning and dinner is ready at the Tornado's preferred time of 5:30. Other days I am scrambling at 5 to throw something together that everyone will eat. Today was a day I am proud of. I had dinner in the crockpot before 1:00 and it will be ready by 5:30. We are having baked beans and sausage that I found on Pinterest and I am thrilled to try a new recipe. Usually I get stuck in a rut and we just have the same things over and over. Any time we find a new recipe that we end up liking it is a great thing and it gets added into the rotation. Does anyone else have amazing recipes that you use over and over? I would love to have new recipes added into our rotation. They have to be simple, easy to throw together and use things that are common in a house that is an hour from the grocery store.
The two days during the week I don't work I am responsible for dinner. Some times I plan ahead, pull something out in the morning and dinner is ready at the Tornado's preferred time of 5:30. Other days I am scrambling at 5 to throw something together that everyone will eat. Today was a day I am proud of. I had dinner in the crockpot before 1:00 and it will be ready by 5:30. We are having baked beans and sausage that I found on Pinterest and I am thrilled to try a new recipe. Usually I get stuck in a rut and we just have the same things over and over. Any time we find a new recipe that we end up liking it is a great thing and it gets added into the rotation. Does anyone else have amazing recipes that you use over and over? I would love to have new recipes added into our rotation. They have to be simple, easy to throw together and use things that are common in a house that is an hour from the grocery store.
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