Manatee Mentors 2014--CLOSED (begging & bribes MAY work) (Page 36)

Hiya sweet piglet Manatees.

As some of you know we had to say goodbye to our beloved working-dog-family-member-pet-extraordinaire Dana today. I accept that I am going to feel horrible no matter what for a while, that nothing is going to make me feel better, and that since I was going to feel horrible no matter what decision I made, the one that favored her was the right one.

We (Mutti, Tina and I) are taking this worse than we did my father's death. I know grief needs no explanation and defies it anyway, though some people may find it odd we are more pained over a dog than a human ... my dad was a tremendous soul who pretty much got to command everyone and everything in his life, for most of it. The dog--she lived only to serve us. She put her entire life and trust in our hands. And she would have stood patrol, guarded the perimeter, warded off strangers, and kept Mutti company no matter how broken down, cancerous-infected, or in pain she was. To the very end she wanted to stand up on her own four legs, and be on the alert, and make sure Mutti was okay.

Those of you who have any knowledge of these things--on a (relatively) minor level, this is a dog that stoically accepted tooth scaling and planing without anesthesia (a very rare specimen indeed), and on a major level, for the last few weeks wound debridement with not a whimper, complaint, or any resistance (somewhere between rare and nonexistent). And this is even among humans to whom you can explain the necessity.

Her tumors were going gangrenous. Her hips, spine, and every joint were severely degraded. You could actually hear loud grinding, creaking, clicking and popping every time she moved, and she strained so hard her muscles would be shaking. It's unbelievable she got around as long as she did. Even in a dog wheelchair, her thoracic spine would have been under tremendous stress, and even her front paws were beginning to curl down (like how old people's arthritic hands curl into claws).

I know I don't need to explain, justify, etc. etc. The deep feeling of guilt is normal and it's not going to go away through reason; just through experience and the process of going through grief.

She was an extraordinary creature, and I guess my endless words are some small way of talking about her and honoring her.

Hiya sweet piglet Manatees.

As some of you know we had to say goodbye to our beloved working-dog-family-member-pet-extraordinaire Dana today. I accept that I am going to feel horrible no matter what for a while, that nothing is going to make me feel better, and that since I was going to feel horrible no matter what decision I made, the one that favored her was the right one.

We (Mutti, Tina and I) are taking this worse than we did my father's death. I know grief needs no explanation and defies it anyway, though some people may find it odd we are more pained over a dog than a human ... my dad was a tremendous soul who pretty much got to command everyone and everything in his life, for most of it. The dog--she lived only to serve us. She put her entire life and trust in our hands. And she would have stood patrol, guarded the perimeter, warded off strangers, and kept Mutti company no matter how broken down, cancerous-infected, or in pain she was. To the very end she wanted to stand up on her own four legs, and be on the alert, and make sure Mutti was okay.

Those of you who have any knowledge of these things--on a (relatively) minor level, this is a dog that stoically accepted tooth scaling and planing without anesthesia (a very rare specimen indeed), and on a major level, for the last few weeks wound debridement with not a whimper, complaint, or any resistance (somewhere between rare and nonexistent). And this is even among humans to whom you can explain the necessity.

Her tumors were going gangrenous. Her hips, spine, and every joint were severely degraded. You could actually hear loud grinding, creaking, clicking and popping every time she moved, and she strained so hard her muscles would be shaking. It's unbelievable she got around as long as she did. Even in a dog wheelchair, her thoracic spine would have been under tremendous stress, and even her front paws were beginning to curl down (like how old people's arthritic hands curl into claws).

I know I don't need to explain, justify, etc. etc. The deep feeling of guilt is normal and it's not going to go away through reason; just through experience and the process of going through grief.

She was an extraordinary creature, and I guess my endless words are some small way of talking about her and honoring her.

Happy Monday Tuesday Manatees! I had a good but busy weekend. I failed on getting my GoJo done on Sunday what with church and playoffs and all

Yesterday I took DS2 to get a new phone, then we went to my fave tri store where we met a nice young lady just getting in to tri. She was looking at tri suits so the store owner, James, told her to ask me any questions, and she did. Way cool.

Also, DS2 and I registered for the One Run For Boston stage. After doing so I reached out to the women running the stages before and after us so that we could start to communicate/coordinate. Mary, the lady running the stage before us lives in Ohio but will be here visiting when the baton passes through so she is doing a stage her and one in Ohio! Beth, the lady running the stage after us is moving here from Denver and her boyfriend is doing a HIM in Key West this weekend. Lots in common with her, I think we'll meet up for a run before the ORFB.

Now I'm off to unpack boxes in my new cube (in which I have an awesome view of the sunset BTW)

The result = the next day I could run for an hour strait with no pain!! I visited him again which he went deeper massage and more intense, the result = I ran Sunday for 90 minutes with no pain!! I've seen him a total of 3 times now and I will see him once more next week before he discharges me. I currently have no pain when I run and slight soreness after my run. I am expecting to be fully healed after one more visit next week.

Excellent news!  I'm so glad that your ankle is improving -- it's been a long haul!

Ugh.  Getting dressed this morning was an exercise in finding the biggest pair of work pants I have and then finding a whole bunch of stuff to layer under them. What I wore to get to work today... Nylons, tights, work pants, wind pants, long socks, camisole, sweater, another sweater, winter coat, ear warmer thingy, toque, faux fur-lined hat.  Oh and 2 pairs of gloves.  

I hate winter.  

Thanks, I tried tapiriik, but I don't have a premium Training Peaks account, so it was not liking me very much I'll give the others a look through tonight, it seems the next hurdle will be the Timex. Thanks a bunch!

As some of you know we had to say goodbye to our beloved working-dog-family-member-pet-extraordinaire Dana today. I accept that I am going to feel horrible no matter what for a while, that nothing is going to make me feel better, and that since I was going to feel horrible no matter what decision I made, the one that favored her was the right one.

Hiya sweet piglet Manatees.

As some of you know we had to say goodbye to our beloved working-dog-family-member-pet-extraordinaire Dana today. I accept that I am going to feel horrible no matter what for a while, that nothing is going to make me feel better, and that since I was going to feel horrible no matter what decision I made, the one that favored her was the right one.

We (Mutti, Tina and I) are taking this worse than we did my father's death. I know grief needs no explanation and defies it anyway, though some people may find it odd we are more pained over a dog than a human ... my dad was a tremendous soul who pretty much got to command everyone and everything in his life, for most of it. The dog--she lived only to serve us. She put her entire life and trust in our hands. And she would have stood patrol, guarded the perimeter, warded off strangers, and kept Mutti company no matter how broken down, cancerous-infected, or in pain she was. To the very end she wanted to stand up on her own four legs, and be on the alert, and make sure Mutti was okay.

Those of you who have any knowledge of these things--on a (relatively) minor level, this is a dog that stoically accepted tooth scaling and planing without anesthesia (a very rare specimen indeed), and on a major level, for the last few weeks wound debridement with not a whimper, complaint, or any resistance (somewhere between rare and nonexistent). And this is even among humans to whom you can explain the necessity.

Her tumors were going gangrenous. Her hips, spine, and every joint were severely degraded. You could actually hear loud grinding, creaking, clicking and popping every time she moved, and she strained so hard her muscles would be shaking. It's unbelievable she got around as long as she did. Even in a dog wheelchair, her thoracic spine would have been under tremendous stress, and even her front paws were beginning to curl down (like how old people's arthritic hands curl into claws).

I know I don't need to explain, justify, etc. etc. The deep feeling of guilt is normal and it's not going to go away through reason; just through experience and the process of going through grief.

She was an extraordinary creature, and I guess my endless words are some small way of talking about her and honoring her.

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak 
And pain should keep me from my sleep, 
Then will you do what must be done, 
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won. 
You will be sad I understand, 
But don't let grief then stay your hand, 
For on this day, more than the rest, 
Your love and friendship must stand the test. 
We have had so many happy years, 
You wouldn't want me to suffer so. 
When the time comes, please, let me go. 
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, 
Only, stay with me till the end 
And hold me firm and speak to me 
Until my eyes no longer see. 
I know in time you will agree 
It is a kindness you do to me. 
Although my tail its last has waved, 
From pain and suffering I have been saved. 
Don't grieve that it must be you 
Who has to decide this thing to do; 
We've been so close -- we two -- these years, 
Don't let your heart hold any tears. 

-- Unknown 

It doesn't matter how long they live, it is never long enough.  

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak 
And pain should keep me from my sleep, 
Then will you do what must be done, 
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won. 
You will be sad I understand, 
But don't let grief then stay your hand, 
For on this day, more than the rest, 
Your love and friendship must stand the test. 
We have had so many happy years, 
You wouldn't want me to suffer so. 
When the time comes, please, let me go. 
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, 
Only, stay with me till the end 
And hold me firm and speak to me 
Until my eyes no longer see. 
I know in time you will agree 
It is a kindness you do to me. 
Although my tail its last has waved, 
From pain and suffering I have been saved. 
Don't grieve that it must be you 
Who has to decide this thing to do; 
We've been so close -- we two -- these years, 
Don't let your heart hold any tears. 

-- Unknown 

It doesn't matter how long they live, it is never long enough.  

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak 
And pain should keep me from my sleep, 
Then will you do what must be done, 
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won. 
You will be sad I understand, 
But don't let grief then stay your hand, 
For on this day, more than the rest, 
Your love and friendship must stand the test. 
We have had so many happy years, 
You wouldn't want me to suffer so. 
When the time comes, please, let me go. 
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, 
Only, stay with me till the end 
And hold me firm and speak to me 
Until my eyes no longer see. 
I know in time you will agree 
It is a kindness you do to me. 
Although my tail its last has waved, 
From pain and suffering I have been saved. 
Don't grieve that it must be you 
Who has to decide this thing to do; 
We've been so close -- we two -- these years, 
Don't let your heart hold any tears. 

-- Unknown 

It doesn't matter how long they live, it is never long enough.  

w

 And now I need tissue.

Speaking of snipers...funny story

Yesterday evening when I got home from the gym there was a young man sitting in his truck across the street from our house. Not really in front of any house, just sitting there, playing on his phone. I went out a few minutes later to "get the mail" and he was still there, so I got the plate. When DH got home an hour later he was still there so we joked about walking up to his car with one of my tactical flashlights shining on him. Then DS1 joked about shining a laser light on him... from the roof. We got a laugh and when I checked after dinner he was gone. The neighbor might have called the locals, she's kinda the neighborhood watchdog.