Category: Pets

In Memory: Rolex, our watchdog (March 13, 2019-May 21, 2022)

22
May
2022

So, while this isn’t something I really wanted to be writing about–I thought it would help ‘explain’ why the posting on the blog is going to be even more sporadic than what it already has been this year.

Well this past week ranks right up there with the early part of February 2018 and October 11th to October 15th 2018.

What do those three time periods have in common?

They’re the weeks that we lost a dog (or dogs—as it was the case for October 2018).

Yesterday, we got the call that no one really wants to get from the vet—Rolex passed while they were prepping her for yet another blood transfusion (they’d been doing partial matches trying to keep her stable while they searched for a ‘perfect’ cross-match).

She’d been in the vets for several days, since she’d relapsed with the hemolytic anemia.

Since everyone agreed that the potential cause of the original hemolytic anemia was the allergy shot from last year, she’d been getting weaned off the immune suppressants—but none of us realized that she also had a grass allergy.

She licked and chewed a spot raw on her leg, and that kicked in her immune system—including the ‘sleeping’ antibodies that her body had made against her blood cells, and that’s all she wrote on it.

So a little about Rolex…

We adopted her from the Stillwater Animal Shelter on Mother’s Day in 2019 (she would have been roughly eight-to-ten weeks old, which is why I’d put her birthday roughly around March 13th).

Rolex enjoying herself in the backyard, June/July 2019

She started showing her personality very quickly after we brought her home. She loved ‘watching’ people—whether it was from the vantage point of sitting on someone’s lap, the top of the table, or her ‘own’ chair.

Rolex on my lap after one of our numerous treks outside for her to use the bathroom Fall 2019

She also loved giving people ‘kisses’—whether you wanted them or not. Like crawling up on the back of the recliner and giving my dad a ‘kiss’ from behind.

Rolex greeting my dad after we got home from work

That was one of her favorite spots—sitting behind people.

Rolex keeping watch in the backyard, sitting comfortably behind me

She did get a little ‘jealous’ when I adopted Chaos right before Christmas in 2019 (I’d just resigned from my position, and while I’d been wanting to travel in 2020—obviously I’d had a premonition that it wouldn’t work and decided to adopt a puppy instead).

I remember several times sitting outside with Chaos on my lap—Rolex would jump up and sit on him, and they did ‘argue’ from time to time on who could sit on my lap.

But they became best friends, and Rolex was an absolute angel when it came to playing with Chaos. He likes to play rough, and she put up with it—I know for a fact that they’d nipped each other at times a little too hard, but they always forgave and continued playing.

The results of their ‘crazy-8’ laps: Cushions pushed off the couch, and them playing ‘king of the hill’

I don’t know how many other dogs would put up with Chaos chewing on their ears—but Rolex did.

Rolex (like all dogs) had numerous nicknames: Roly Poly, Rollo, and gargoyle.

The first two may be obvious on how she got them—slight play off of her name.

The third was based on the fact that she’d lean over the back of the couch for treats, especially when I called them into the house for a ‘timeout’.

She was also our little ‘drama queen’, where she’d lie around and ‘talk/sing’ to get attention (or just scratch her back on the rug or out in the backyard).

She would cuddle; demand attention, and keep watch all at the same time—she was our Rolex the watchdog and Rolex the gargoyle.

Rolex sacked out on both the recliner and the cat condo

While I wish she were still with us (don’t ask me who I’d trade in her place), I’m just glad that she isn’t suffering anymore.

Also, I would like use this as a public service announcement—to be careful when considering allergy shots for your animals.

There are side effects for any shots (including vaccinations) for humans and animals.

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia is one of the more rare side effects.

But it can also be one of the more costly (and deadly) side effects.

So—ask your vet what are the possibilities of your animal developing immune-mediated hemolytic anemia from the allergy shot, and decide on your own if the slight risk is worth it.

While I’m a believer in vaccines and booster shots—I’ll be avoiding the allergy shots for Chaos and all future dogs and cats that I may adopt in the future.

Run free at the rainbow bridge, Rolex. I hope that Sami (our neighbor’s dog who passed last year) was there to greet you and introduce you to the rest of the pack.

Help them keep an eye on us—we’ll be okay, it will be tough for awhile, but we have the others to see us through; and until we meet up at the rainbow bridge—I will always love and miss you, my little gargoyle.

Rolex standing guard on the plant table

No Comments PetsPhotographyReflections

Proud to be a geek: ‘Celebrate your geekness day’

13
Jul
2021

Today is ‘celebrate your geekness’ day, a day that was created by Wellcats Holidasy as a day about being proud of what you do, who you are, and what you’re ‘obsessed’ with. I will freely admit that I’ve always been a ‘geek’, and I’ve been proud of being a geek. While I may seem ‘quiet’ and slightly ‘unsociable’, it is more of the fact that I’m wondering what I can add to the conversation. Depending on the topic, I may either be more of an active listener or an active participant. While I am a ‘geek’ on various subjects, I also admit that some areas I’m reconnecting to, so I may not be that big of a ‘geek’ in terms of random knowledge.

I like these five reasons from ‘a big think edge’ blog post back in 2018 on why one should embrace thier inner geek:

  1. The term communicates that you are intelligent
  2. You may be more socially competent and mature than the ‘cool kids’
  3. As a geek, you are viewed in a increasingly positive way
  4. You are technically savvy and an early adopter of new technologies
  5. Geeks bring different perspectives and knowledge to the conversation

I agree with all of them, with the exception of number four–I really don’t care for updating/upgrading my electronics and such unless I either absolutely have to, or the update/upgrade has something really going for it.

So what are things that I consider myself a ‘geek’ about?

Hobbies such as:

Birds (and bird watching)

Photography

Reading (fiction, especially romance)

Knitting and other crafts

Being outdoors, gardening and nature

Learning, especially on topics related to:

Science

History

Geography

Archaeology

Anthropology

Paleontology

My pets

What am I currently learning or teaching myself?

Python coding, cross-stitching, jewelry making, and brushing up on subjects such as intellectual protperty and clinical trials.

What are my end goals?

Continuous learning, finding harmony between ‘work’ and ‘everything else’, and bridging the communication gap beteen the scientific community and the general public.

What is one scientific topic that you wished was communicated better?

No Comments bird watchingBookscareerCraftsfinancesfitnessHealthHistoryLifestyle ChallengesnatureNature Preservesoracle cardsoutdoorsPersonal DevelopmentPetsPhotographyprofessional developmentRandom Celebration DaysReflectionsSciencespiritualitytravel

National Photography Month: Celebrating all things dealing with photography

02
May
2021

Did you know that May is also National Photography Month?

It was established in 1987 by Congress, and over the years has evolved as the art of photography has also evolved from physical photographs to digital photographs and videos. I’ve always enjoyed photography–most vacations I’d have a camera on me and go for walks to see what type of nature photographs I could capture.

Bald Eagle sitting in a pine tree over looking Lake Vermilion, St. Louis County, Minnesota
Looking out at Lake Superior from the northern shore of Minnesota
Buffalo National River, Ponca Arkansas

As you can tell–I enjoy capturing pictures of the natural world. I remember back in college, I took a forestry class that had an international component to it (spending spring break in Honduras), and I was eager to take the class, as it would have been the first time I raveled outside of the US. I think I took almost 1000 physical photographs on that 10-day trip. Basically all the photographs were nature based, a small number had people in them, and I was present in even a smaller number of pictures. While I have done some ‘selfies’ on trips–those were more for remembrance purposes than sharing on social media. I have all those photographs, plus others from other trips in photo albums sitting in my storage unit, and they’re also digital–but on an older laptop. So once I move–I need to find and charge the older laptop and try to get the pictures off of it, or buy a scanner/printer and start scanning pictures again.

Photography has been one of the things helping me keep my sanity somewhat intact through this damn pandemic. While I didn’t go up to Boomer Lake that often last year (in part due to the shelter at home directive and in part due to not that many people wearing masks outdoors), I did manage to hone my talent with backyard birding.
I would almost consider nature and pet photography to be my ‘bread-and-butter’–those are two topics that I enjoy capturing on digital film. I’m going to be trying to ‘spread’ my photography ‘wings’ and start doing some food and architecture photography as well in the coming months (though I do have a decent number of architecture photographs from my time out on the east coast).

Chaos sticking his head out the door
Rolex sitting in front of the back door.

So how am I going to celebrate the month of photography? I’m going to try to post at least two or three pictures a week for both the ‘yearly’ challenge and to celebrate National Photography Month. I’m also going to look into the history of photography as well and read up on that subject–and possibly post book reviews or other such things here as well. But to totally celebrate–I’m going to try to be active with my camera (whether it is the digital canon or olympus cameras or the camera on the iPhone) and take a daily picture.

No Comments bird watchingCraftsnaturePetsPhotographyRandom Celebration DaysReflections

Photography Challenge Day 11: Remembering Chewi

15
Oct
2020

It’s slightly sad, but fitting that it has taken me two years to finish your collage.

Your passing was the one that came from left field–while we knew your time was coming, we weren’t expecting it so soon after losing Piranha.

It has been two years since I had to say goodbye to Chewi—her cancer had progressed to the point that it was far more humane to let her go to the rainbow bridge, than trying to keep her here with me.

We adopted Chewi in June of 2002—technically she was suppose to be my younger brother’s dog, but since he was recovering from hip surgery—I was the one that did the nightly dog training (she slept with me and I took her out at night as needed). Pretty soon it was apparent that I ‘stole’ her as she bonded with me a little more than with my younger brother (but he got a puppy the following year from friends up in Wisconsin).

Chewi turned out to be a golden retriever/chow mix—but she was the sweetest dog there was; she never met a stranger that she didn’t want to say hello to, and up until it was time to let her go, she acted far younger than her years.

Chewi investigating the snow in Boston

When we went for walks, she had one speed—warp. She wanted to explore everything and anything, and loved splashing in the water. Boomer Lake was a blast for her, as she could get a drink, get wet and make bubbles. When we took her up to Lake Vermilion—she enjoyed the water there as well. While she did find the yellowjack nest—she only showed minimum signs of pain from the numerous wasp stings she sustained on her nose.

Chewi enjoying a dip in Boomer Lake

She was a one of the kind dog—while I never got her DNA sequenced, we realized that she was unique when she continued to play as normal after getting spayed. We actually had to take her back into the vets to get her stitches repaired—it was then that we realized that her pain receptors must have been mutated as she never really showed any signs of pain.

She saw me through the final few years of undergrad, all of graduate school, and then

managed to see more the country than me when I decided to take a postdoc position in Boston. Since I have anxiety issues with driving, I hired pet movers to take her and Pancakes (my cat) out to Boston for me—they got to see the country, as they traveled both west and east on the move out there and then the move back home two years later.

Anyone in there??

I do regret that move—only because she became the only dog for two years and I didn’t have a roommate—so there was no other human around during the hours that I was at work and in hindsight that wasn’t totally fair to her (though she did have Pancakes for company).

During our time together, we walked around Boomer Lake countless times, explored various parts of the neighborhoods where we lived in Boston, enjoyed traveling (though she did insist on sitting on my lap in the car), and being outdoors.

I know that last year she and the others that have crossed over the rainbow bridge helped guide my hand in adopting Chaos right before Christmas (I mean his foster family had even named him Chewy). He seems to share numerous traits with those that have passed; that it feels like there is a small portion of them here with me now (though I know Chaos is a dog into his own right).

So, Chewi girl if you’re looking down from the bridge—remember I love you, I miss you, I haven’t replaced you, and I will see you someday at the bridge.

No Comments PetsPhotographyReflections

Happy National Black Dog Day

01
Oct
2020

So besides being the first day of October (that means there are only 92 days left in the year), a full moon, it is also National Black Dog Day.

Rolex and Chaos when they could share a chair

This is the day to try to encourage the adoption of a dog that has more dark colored fur. This is because there is still the stigma against dogs (and cats) that have dark fur—they’re less likely to be adopted, but also more likely to be abused or hurt due to the stupid old wives tales from centuries ago.

Rolex deciding she wanted to sit on the plant table

We have two puppies—one is mostly black with white splotches of fur (she is a boxer mix), and the other is brown/black but also has a good amount of white fur as well. Both of these puppies love to play, and lighten the days with their antics.

Chaos sleeping on the bed

If you are a animal lover, aren’t allergic to dogs (or cats), and are able to—brighten the day, both yours and the animal by adopting an dog (or cat) that has dark fur. They are no less deserving of a loving home than the others.

No Comments PetsRandom Celebration Days

Update on Reboot Break

06
Jan
2020

So I’m about a month into my reboot break, and am still trying to figure out the best routine. One thing I’ve noticed after going through notes that I’ve taken over the past couple of years—I need to try to find (or actually rediscover) my “voice” or who I am. I’ve realized that I’ve spent the past couple of years just drifting along, and when it comes to trying to answer personal/professional development questions such as “who are you” or “what is the difference between you and someone else for this role”—I can almost generically answer the first one, but can’t come up with answers of what makes me unique for roles. I realize that I’ve spent years blending in with my surroundings and trying to stay in the background unnoticed. This all comes from childhood and being a victim of bullying—not of which was physical, and I learned it was better to pretend to be invisible and blend into the background than draw attention to the situation.

While it is nice that I’ve identified the problem (my unconscious moves to blend into the background), now I need to work on breaking those patterns. I need to rediscover things that I enjoy doing (things that make me uniquely me), and then determine the best ways of weaving those hobbies into “transferable skills” for job interviews. I would say that I’m fairly confident that I should move R&D scientist down the list on interesting job titles (as it is more or less my comfort zone), and start trying to step outside of what I’m use to doing to see what grabs my interest in terms of the other possible job titles.

I’m thinking that the list is going to now look something like this:

            Health Economist

            Market Research Analyst

            Scientific/Medical Writer

            Market Communications Specialist

            Clinical Data Analyst/Manager

            Quantitative Analyst

            Patent Analyst

            R&D scientist (up to R&D manager)

Though the top seven are more or less fluid (I just rearranged a few from how I’ve previously listed them).

So this week is going to be spent getting back into a workout routine, spending some time practicing photography, puppy training (I adopted a puppy just before Christmas), reading, working a rough draft of everything that I would like to accomplish this year, and looking more into the above roles.

Once I remember (or better yet remind myself) of things I like to do, that aren’t related to work, I will be that much further on my path to finding the optimal industry position to transition into this year.

No Comments 101 Goalscareerjob searchingLifestyle Challengesno spend challengesPersonal DevelopmentPetsPhotographyprofessional developmentRebootBreakReflections

2019: A Year in Review

05
Jan
2020

So 2019 has come to a close, and now it’s time to reflect back on the year (with its ups and downs, hills and valleys).

This was the year that I decided that I needed to do some type of major shakeup career wise—this wasn’t to say that I was totally unhappy with my job—something needed to change though. I had decided that I would hopefully either transition into an industry position, or I would resign my position, take some time off to re-center myself and then refocus on my job search. I ended up going with option number two—my “reboot break” started shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday.

I’ve realized over the past few months that I’ve more or less been in a “coasting” mode for the past couple of years—never really thinking of where I want to be in five or ten years, just focusing on trying to get through the day and the week to the weekend. It’s hard to figure out the next direction to go in, when you’re stuck in the weeds with nothing but a slightly broken oar to propel yourself—you don’t get very far.

I’ve also realized that I’ve been trying to focus on too many different areas at once (health/fitness, finances, moving my career forward, and trying to find time to do crafts to balance things out), that I’m going to try to focus on just two to four areas (health/fitness and moving my career forward are tied for number one, and then it will probably be personal/professional development (tied for number two, and tied into both areas at number one), and then some time for crafts.

This was I can probably set up an monthly calendar easier with just those “three” areas instead of considering them four to five different areas. This should also mean that I have more ideas for blog topics throughout 2020 as well (which is one area that I felt that I didn’t push forward enough throughout the year).

In terms of health and fitness—I’m slowly making my way back to a routine that works for me. I will probably stick with the workouts provided by Beachbody, but figure out the best nutrition plan on my own. I know that I have a major sweet tooth, and instead of depriving myself (and ending up binge eating sweets), I allow myself some sweets and try to balance it out with more fruits and vegetables throughout the day. I’m pretty sure that there will be more posts on nutrition and fitness throughout 2020 as well, as I work to get into the best shape of my life (I’m thinking of some trip later in the year that would require me to be in better physical condition than I am currently).

We also adopted a puppy back in May shortly after mother’s day. My mom decided that it had been long enough since losing her dog, that she was willing to get a puppy. So we adopted a boxer mix, renamed her Rolex and it’s been a crazy ride ever since. Then basically a week before Christmas, I decided that I really wanted a puppy (I know that I will never be able to replace Chewi), so I went with my brother to the animal shelter and adopted a blue heeler/collie/shepherd mix. Now we have a period of adjustment—Rolex is a little jealous of the puppy (mainly the amount of attention that I’m giving him)—but I chose the right name for him—Chaos (since I was getting him right before the holidays—I knew that I was going to be bring chaos into the house). Now, as I start looking forward again on my job search—the position/location will also need to be puppy friendly (nearby parks and so forth).

In terms of personal development I managed to read nineteen different books (though several of them were challenge books—where you pick a topic and try to work on it for a month or so). Several of the books related to finances (mine are okay—which is why I’m able to do the reboot break right now), decluttering (something that I really need to do—both for myself and ease my parents into it as well), and then just some good old fashion self-care (reboot break, and being reminded that I shouldn’t be waiting for others to give me a ‘permission slip’ to live my life). I’m hoping that in 2020, I double the number of books that read in terms of both personal and professional development.

I had gotten back into doing oracle/tarot card readings for a good portion of the year (quit doing them the last few months), and realized yet again my pulling back was due in part to me trying to fit in to molds that I don’t belong (worry about what prospective employers might think if they come across my instagram account). But I was reminded with reading a couple of books last month that I shouldn’t be waiting on a ‘permission slip’ from others—it’s my life and I doubt that I would be wanting to work for any company that doesn’t value everyone’s spirituality.

I had wanted to travel a little during 2019, but those plans never came to fruition—either due to not having enough vacation time earned, the weather (one major “fear” earlier this year was being stranded somewhere due to the weather and losing money since I wouldn’t be working & would have used up all my vacation time), or just not being able to decide where I wanted to go.

Hopefully in 2020 there will be more travel—both for mental health (since I’ve realized it has been over a year since I’ve taken a vacation) and networking/job search/hopeful job interviews, or a combination of the two types.

So while there was some change in 2019—there wasn’t as much as I’d hoped for—but I did manage to plant the seeds for change (namely in quitting my job) to occur in 2020. As we head into a new year and decade I need to remember that for 2020 I’m going to focus on “grow (th)”, “change”, “achievement(s)”, and “success”.

And remember: Progress over perfection. I’m also going to remember to “evaluate the people in [my] life; then promote, demote, or terminate. [I’m] the CEO of my life”.

No Comments careerHealthjob searchingLifestyle ChallengesPersonal DevelopmentPetsprofessional developmentYear in Review

Photography Challenge Day 175: The younger two dogs

10
Aug
2019

The winner of today’s photography challenge are the two younger dogs: Rolex (our box mix puppy), and Magnet (my brother’s dog).

Snoozing puppy usually means happy cats……

Magnet has been an off and on presence in the house, since my brother lives a couple of hours away and they don’t make it back that often (I mean who really wants to do a four-hour round trip drive constantly?). But since she is basically a year older than Rolex, that makes her the beta of the house (Boozer is the alpha, and when Magnet isn’t around—she is alpha and beta rolled into one). Problem is that the youngest wants to play almost constantly during the day and it wears on the other two dogs (especially her methods of playing).

Rolex and Magnet patiently waiting for dinner.

I’ve realized a few things over the past couple of months—I would love to get another dog, but until I have a solid plan in place for my future that has to be on hold. The second thing is that the overly playful puppy is going to be needing to learn how to walk on a leash—she does okay for a short distance, but when I took her for one walk around the block it was total chaos—so there is that training that needs to happen. It is something to look towards when the temperatures cool, and I don’t have to worry about heat stroke for either of us.

I’ve also decided that once things are in order and I move—a kitten first (since Pancakes doesn’t care for either of the younger dogs right now), and once that helps settle her in, maybe a puppy or an slightly older dog (say no more than three or four).

I know that Chewi and the others are watching from the rainbow bridge, and happy that we’ve moved on from mourning and brought another dog into the household.

No Comments PetsPhotography

Photography Challenge Day 173: International Cat Day (Short Post)

08
Aug
2019

So since today is International Cat Day–it is only fitting that the winners of today’s photography challenge are the cats.

Pyewicket wasn’t too happy with the closeup……..

So we have three cats (all adopted from the local humane society). The eldest cat (by about a year and a half or so) is Pyewicket, our calico cat.

Then we have our “breakfast duo”: Waffles and Pancakes.

Pancakes, my black miniature panther.

We got Waffles and Pancakes within a few days of each other–Waffles was adopted first, and then I saw Pancakes picture on the site, and fell in love. It had been almost a decade since I had lost my first cat, Bigfoot (who was also a black cat–though he had more white on him than Panny does). Pancakes is my little cuddle bug at night, and in the morning. She loves to sit on my lap–and does a good job of reminding me when I spend to much time on the computer.

Waffles–sleeping on top of the cat condo

Not the best picture of Waffles, our Russian blue cat–but lately she has decided that the top of the cat condo is her spot to sleep (though that is where my cat usually likes to relax). This is our little troublemaker–she doesn’t like change (and lets you know), and isn’t above possibly starting things with the puppies.

I know find it funny that we’re in a “age reversal” with the animals–when we got the cats, we had several dogs, but they’re were all in their adult years. Now we got a puppy (and my brother got one last year), the cats are in their adult years and are acting like it. I swear if they could talk it would probably be nothing but “get off my lawn”, “turn the music down” and “in my day” from the cats to the pups.

I have realized that when I move–I will need to bring in a kitten (after a few months) so that Pancakes has company, and then after say another six months or so maybe get a puppy and hopefully that will all turn out nicely.

Happy International Cat Day!!! Do your cats and dogs get along all the time?

No Comments PetsPhotographyRandom Celebration Days

Photography Challenge Day 150: Woof Wednesday edition

17
Jul
2019

So I decided that today’s photography challenge should introduce the newest member of the family. My mom had decided around Mother’s Day that she wouldn’t mind getting another dog. I might have had something to do with it–the facebook pages for the humane society in town wasn’t play fair and there was a very cute puppy posted. So we went and put in an application for adoption, and two days later got the call that we could come pick her up.

Rolex, sitting on the table staring at the birds.

So we brought home an 11 pound whirl wind that we named Rolex–since she was going to be our new watchdog. She has steadily been growing since we’ve got her–she is up to a solid 27 pounds, and I’m hoping that she tops out at somewhere between 35 and 40 pounds.

Rolex’s opinion of the weather.

We’re thinking that she is part boxer, due to the under bite she has and shows every so often. What the other breed(s) are–we have no idea. She is a runner, and loves running in circles through the backyard (and house) as fast as she can. Luckily there are squeaky toys to amuse her partially during the day, and old plastic water bottles.

I’ve been wanting to get a puppy myself, as I’m almost over the heartache of losing Chewi back in October. The only thing is I want to have my transition more or less already happening. I figured it would be better to get a puppy once I’ve moved and get the cat adjusted to her new living quarters. That way the puppy will be accustomed to living in an apartment (not having to deal with it knowing that it could always have the run of a yard, then having to get it adjusted to walks only).

But Rolex is slowly starting to help ease my depression over losing Chewi, Piranha, and Spelunkers last year. We’ve had her for a little over two months, and the months do seem to have flown by since we’ve got her.

No Comments PetsPhotography