Saying good-bye to a long-time friend and companion

Yesterday (yes, on Christmas) we had to say good-bye to our 13 year old dog, Sadie. Most of the kids remember when we adopted her from the shelter the Monday after returning form a family vacation. She was about six weeks old. It was six weeks after we had lost our first dog (Angel, 11) to bone cancer.

Sadie had been having seizures recently so we put her on medication. Overall she was doing well on meds with only an occasional minor shake that most people would probably not notice. In the back of our minds, we knew it was probably not a seizure disorder. Those usually don't show up in a 13 year old dog. Thankfully we have a wonderful veterinarian who remained hopeful but is also honest with us. He had the same concern.

In the middle of the night this past Tuesday morning, she had her biggest seizure yet. It lasted almost 45 minutes. Her previous ones never lasted that long. Previously, when the seizure stopped she would get up after a few minutes, though she would appear intoxicated until she recovered. This time she didn't get up. Later in the morning she would have two more seizures that lasted about 10-15 minutes each. She was still on the floor and hadn't taken her morning medication, so I took her to the vet.

They took awesome care of her there, but with at least one more seizure, vomiting and diarrhea, barely able to lift her head, kidneys shutting down, and difficulty breathing we realized it was time to say good-bye. Although we were hoping to wait until the day after Christmas, we knew that would be a selfish decision. Our last gift to her was to say good-bye and let her go.

What does that have to do with diabetes? Nothing. My life doesn't revolve around diabetes, but it does revolve around love - even for the pets in my care.

Here We Go Again

Next week is full of transitions.  It's the last week of school for my younger four.  Also the last days of substitute teaching for the school year.  Monday starts the summer session at the university.  I'll be taking seven hours - two classes.  One classes is research methods.  Three semester hours in four weeks!  The other class is on middle school education.  The last class I need for my middle school endorsement.  Four semester hours in eight weeks.

Add in my work schedule at the Y plus tutoring and spending time with my five kids and husband.  There you have a busy summer schedule!  I'm a little nervous but also very excited!

My hope is also to get into an exercise routine.  My goal is to get my next A1c below 6%.  Going to the Y or just for walks around the neighborhood needs to be part of my daily routine.  We have a dog who needs to lose some weight, so I think she'll be joining me on some of those walks (she's a little wider than this picture).  She had a herniated disc in Spring 2012, so it's important that she keep her weight down.

I often feel like I've failed, but I try to recommit to my goals (like exercise, watching my carbs, blogging, etc.) even if it feels like the 100th time.  I refuse to give up! What are some goals that you have?  Do you also sometimes feel you're needing to recommit to the same goals over and over?

Diabetes is a Blue Boy Beta named... HOPE??? (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: If your health condition (or the health condition of a loved one!) was an animal, what would it be? Is it a real animal or make believe?

Yesterday I went to the pet store with my youngest to buy her a replacement beta fish and a new fish for my middle child.  While we were there, I picked out a fish of my own.  I thought it would be nice to have on my desk when my eyes needed change of focus while working on schoolwork.

Of course I got a blue fish.

And I named him Hope (with the encouragement of a mom of a CWD).

So my diabetes is a male beta fish named Hope.

Yes, it's a boy fish with a girl's name.  Get over it.  Who said anything about diabetes makes sense?

For those that are wondering, my doctor said my numb toes are more than likely not a result of diabetes or poor circulation.  Looks like it's probably from how I grip my toes when I walk.

Lessons from a Lizard

Sometimes there are obstacles you can't see.  That doesn't mean you should just give up. Keep digging and eventually you will be rewarded. (Anoles got some crickets right after this video.)

Meet Laverne (#HAWMC)

Today's WEGO prompt: Health Activist Choice! Write about what you want today. (Maybe try a bonus prompt!)

Since today's prompt is whatever I want to write and it's getting late, I'll write about my latest critter, Laverne.

Laverne is a gargoyle gecko, named after the female gargoyle in Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Of course when I talk about Laverne, everyone asks about Shirley. Sorry, wrong reference.

I saw her yesterday at the family-owned pet store I frequent. She is just plain adorable! I had to get her! (Gender is yet to be determined. If in fact she is a he, the name will change to Hugo, one of the other gargoyles in the same movie.) So I did the responsible thing... I told my pet shop lady to put the gecko on hold for a couple days so I could discuss it with hubby and get her new habitat ready.

It didn't take long. Yesterday afternoon I started cleaning out our two recently vacated habitats (anole and tree frog both died of old age). I was back there this morning, less than 24 hrs later, after our morning soccer games. She's so much fun! A little critter that I can hold. She is tame enough that I can let her climb on me. Yes, I love things that are different. I also picked up two fire bellied toads while I was there today (pictures later). We've had these before, so it was something easy to fill my other habitat.

I'm looking forward to lots of time with Laverne and the fire-bellied toads, named by my youngest two Camouflage and Leafy.



Photo credit: Disney's Laverne was found here.

Thursday night ramblings

I haven't written on my blog in over a week so I thought I'd post, even if it's mainly ramblings.  I have had some minor slip-ups with my diabetes, but overall not too bad.  I'm at a major plateau with my weight loss.  I only have about 10-15 lbs to lose, but I've been going back and forth with the same two pounds for a month.  I think I need to get back to limiting my carb intake, better glucose control, and increasing my water intake.  If I can do those three things and keep up with my current exercise routine, I should be able to lose those last few pounds.

Life with the kitten has been good.  We've had Josie for two weeks now.  She made quick friends with the dogs.  Sadie, our almost seven year old beagle mix, pretty much ignores her.  She plays with the kitten now and then, but likes to be left alone for the most part.  Of course she thinks that Josie is going to steal her bone, so if the kitten gets to close, Sadie will take it to another part of the house.  Mira, the one year old husky-shepherd-collie mix, absolutely adores her!  She had a special bond with our previous cat, a female orange tabby named Tigger, who passed away July 2009.  It's been obvious with the way she's been reacting to other cats that she really missed having a cat around.  She snuggles with Josie, even allowing her to pounce and grab at her face.

She has her snuggly times and has her hyper kitty times.  When we let her out in the morning, she loves to run around.  There are several times during the day when she'll willingly snuggle up and take a nap on someone's chest or lap.  She usually takes a nap during dinner or right before the younger ones go to bed.  Then she's in major hyper kitten mode - darting across the house; climbing furniture, her cat tree, or even people; pouncing on anything that moves.  Feet and dog tails are fair game!  (Another reason to wear shoes as much as possible.)

I love her snuggly times.  I let her nap on me as much as possible in hopes that she'll be a lap cat.  Our previous cat was pretty much hand's off, though she did have her cuddle moments.  With recurring bladder infections, even on prescription food, she was often uncomfortable and not always in an affectionate mood.  Yes, I know that cats are not owned, they're served.  It's a pleasure to serve little Miss Josie, even as she tries to pounce on my fingers as I type.