GUESS WHAT!!!! I GOT A CAR!!!! How cool is that??? Finally, after almost two years... FREEDOM!!!!
It's a '99 Ford Escort ZX2.. black w/tan interior. I'ts got power everything. I can't believe I got a "good" "used" car.. both in the same sentence. The body is beautiful on it. The only things that have to be done on it are the oxygen sensor and the belt have to be replaced, but that'll be less than $200, so I'll get it taken care of next month (I hope). It has 104k miles on it and stick shift. It rides great!!! Although it took the entire amount of my WC check... it was worth it.. I still got a deal. The Kelly Blue Book is anywhere from two to three thousand dollars over what I paid for it.

I took Brandon out on a date last night, so he was the first one to ride in it. I figured I wouldn't see him before his birthday, and they're going on vacation for his birthday, so I took him out for dinner and a movie. We saw Journey to the Center of the Earth with Brendan Frasier... in 3D... great movie. Brandon really had a ball when all the things came reaching for him through the screen. It's awesome how they do that stuff.

By the time we got home last night, little Gidget had been in her room almost all day. I had been gone from 12:00 yesterday until 4:00 and then had to leave again to pick Brandon up at 4:30. We got home around 9, and boy was she ready to run. She and Brandon ran to the back of the property and back three or four times... wore Brandon out pretty good, and Gidge was just so happy to let off some steam.

Mike, of course, is always good. :-D He wanted to run, so I "ran" with him. Lucky for me, he will only run a short way and then stop to pee every ten or fifteen feet.. so I didn't have to run as much as Brandon did.

Today was a busy day... at least until around 1:00. I had so many things that had to be done and had been waiting for a time when I could do them without bothering anyone else to take me, so Brandon and I did them together. I love having him with me. By the time I brought him home, I was exhausted (I think he was too). It was so hot and steamy outside, and I was so beat that when I got home, the first thing I did (after letting the pups out) was to grab a shower... then I fell into a deep sleep on the lazy boy for a full two hours. Man, do I feel better now. Guess I'm just not use to so much excitement. It feels awfully good though.

Gidget was really good when I took my nap. I didn't put her in the room, and she started to fall asleep on my lap, but then curled up under the chair and slept the entire time. Oh happy day... she's learning. LOL Of course, Mike will sleep anytime, so I never have to worry about him keeping me awake. ;-)

Hi Cynthia... I'm so glad you can come and go and have peace of mind that the furkids are being taken care of. It speaks volumes for your neighbor. No, the Tramadol helps Mike stop the panting. I didn't give it to him before. Dr. Blaha said she thinks he's feeling discomfort and not really pain, and suggested giving it to him at night. Even though it does help, I think the dosage I give him (25 mg) may be a bit too low since I sometimes have to give it to him again a couple hours later, but I don't want to give him a full 50 mg dosage if I don't have to. 50mg is the dosage I take for my headaches when they get bad... and I'm much larger than he is... but, if he needs it.. he gets it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Oh, by the way... Manuel and I are going to start a thread for Zorro in Dog Daze... maybe tonight.. so if you get a chance, stop in and say hello.. he'd be happy to hear from you.

Love & Blessings

Sequia said...

Joanna,
My neighbour looked after my gang. She spoiled them rotten! So much so that when we got home we were greated at the door by all four but they came, they saw, they said hello and went on their way!!!! i am sooo lucky that I found someone I can trust with them. I am hoping to go and visit my brother in Quebec in August (he said he would pay for the gas)so I will go when she is able to look after them.
I am curious, did Mike start the panting episodes after you started on the tramadol? I am wondering if they are linked somehow?
Cynthia

July 12, 2008 7:55 AM