We had an awesome afternoon today. The weather was around 68 degrees (perfect for me), so I took both Mike and Gidget for a ride to the park. They were so happy just for the ride, but when we got to the park... well... all the scents of fallen leaves and the smell of squirrels that had been there before us took their attention totally away from the rest of the world.

Gidget had never been to a real park... just the prayer path behind the church (it's a beautiful path created in the woods along the river). The prayer path is awesome, but the openness of the park was all new to her. It was hillarious when we walked near the playground... she barked like hell at the playground equipment. She had never seen it before and was protecting Mike and me from those big scary things. LOL

Mike enjoyed the walk just as much as she did. He took his time and sniffed as much as he could and of course stopped every ten feet or so to try to pee. When we got more into an open area, I told him, "come on Mike.. walk, walk"... and he'd stop peeing and walk a lot more than stopping. Or I'd tell him, "we're on a walk... not a sniff.. come on", and he did. He is sooooooo good.

While Mike and I were walking, I let Gidget run as far as she could on the leash (retractable)... back and forth and all around us. She definitely got in her exercise for the day.

It was a great time... UNTIL!!! Until it was time to leave. I had put some water out for the pups, and they both had some. I was still holding on to both leashes, and when Mike was finished drinking, I went to put his diaper back on. Just as I got it on, he spotted a squirrel. Now mind you... Mike doesn't usually care about squirrels. We have a whole family of them in the back yard, and he never even takes notice of them. They could sit ten feet away from him, and he wouldn't care.
BUT... I guess the fresh air and the fact that this wasn't "our" squirrel that he spotted woke up the hunter in him, and he tried taking off after it. He couldn't go far because of the leash and almost choked himself trying to get to it.
THEN... the great white huntress saw it and decided to join him in the anhiliation of that poor little thing. Well.. the squirrel got away, but those to made me look like a complete idiot out there. You probably would have peed your pants laughing. Here I am... holding two retractable leashes, and the dogs on each leash crossed over, so my arms are crossed trying to pull them back and keep them from running off.... then somehow, Gidget got both of the leashes tangled... AT THE TOP WHERE I WAS HOLDING THEM... I'm still trying to figure out how she did that. Sooooooooo.....now I can't control either leash, and they are fully extended with two miniature elephants pulling on me.
I don't know if you realize how strong these little dogs are... but they were both pulling me so hard that they were dragging me behind them. Gidget was barking, and Mike was choking himself, and I was saying.... "doggone it.. stop pulling... hang on.. you're tangled"... of course they weren't listening to me. I don't think they even knew I was there. Then somehow, Gidget's leash came totally off Mikes, and just before she got lose, I grabbed it. Unfortunately, I didn't get it by the handle but caught it on the string (leash) part.... MAN DID THAT BURN!!!

Finally, after what seemed like a very long time (but was probably only a minute or two), the squirrel disappeared into a vortex, and both dogs relaxed. My gosh.. was I sweating. Thank God the park was empty (except for a guy sitting in his car eating his lunch and laughing at the show we put on). You could tell my guys are really well trained can't you. I'm glad I gave that guy a good laugh.

We came home, and Mike was totally pooped. He slept the rest of the afternoon, and I actually had to wake him up aroun 7:30 tonight to feed him. Gidget, on the other hand, was still full of piss and vinegar. I had to put her in her room so "I" could catch a short nap.

All in all though.. it was a great day off. I haven't really had much time to do stuff like this since Dr. Blaha went to the convention. She came home last night, and I took off today. She called and wants me to go in tomorrow morning to meet with the computer guy who's coming to do something to the computer and explain to him what happened with VIA... I just hope he doesn't screw it up... it took forever to get it going again.

Hi Alex...

It's so good to hear from you. You are soooooo right. God is so good, and He has been blessing us. I'm so grateful for everything. It does seem like I'm in and out all the time, but the good thing about working for Dr. Blaha is that she's just about a mile from my house, and I can pretty much set my own schedule, so Mike and Gidget really aren't home much by themselves. The longest they were alone was when I went on the hayride Saturday... it was awesome.. it was at a Christian campground... a beautiful hayride through the woods (with an almost full moon shining through the trees) and then a bonfire with a weiner roast and nice burnt marshmallows.... humm.... yummy.
Give the little ones some belly rubs and scritches for me.

Oh Cindy...

I know you are 100% right. Last year, I almost did stroke out. Had to go by squad to the hospital with blood pressure that I won't even tell you how high it was. Since I posted about my bp, I've been doing really well... except for Sunday afternoon.... but we won't talk about that. I did go to the doctor after my post (twice actually) about the blood pressure. We, again, changed the schedule and dosage of the meds, but I didn't call him after my episode this Sunday. Don't yell at me for not calling him... I think I know why it went up like it did. I got really excited about something that had happened at church (too much to explain here), and I think that's what made it spike again. Please don't worry... I am being careful, and I know the number for 911.... praying I never need it again. I have another appointment with him on November 7th, so prayerfully by that time I'll be 100% ok. Just keep me in your prayers.
Oh.. by the way... nope... never been a nurse. I've worked at the hospital in ER though in registration.

I'm so glad that Justice is still on the train and hoping that Tuck gets back on again really quick. Give them hugs and belly rubs for me.


Ok.. time to get these guys outside. I pray everyone is having a happy and healthy week.

Love & Blessings

Alexandra said...

Hi Joanna,

It seems like you haven't posted here in a while either. Boy you must really be busy! What a change, huh? Before you had the car you were stuck at home and now look at you. Seems like God has been blessing us both!

I'm glad Mikey is still hanging in there. boy, what a trooper he is! I saw a dog at the dog park yesterday that looked just like him and I was thinking about him. I hope they both don't mind you being away from home so much. At least they have each other, right?

Okay, well I'll have to check back and see if you've updated this blog.

Give the little ones kisses for me.

Love ya!
Alex

October 15, 2008 1:35 PM

Cindy said...

Ok Joanna, didn't u used to be a nurse??? Well even if u were or weren't--don't u play 'nurse' on urself-cuz u ain't doing a very good job of it. You know as well as I do that u could easily have 'stroked out' with a BP that high. You said more then a week ago that u had a call in to ur doc. So...u are going in for BP checks and just not telling us--right?? I said RIGHT????? PLease tell me u have talked with the doc! Home testing machines are great-but when u have symptoms and the scare-u need to get to the doc and take care of urself. ASAP!
Hugs, Cindy, Tucker and Justice
I guess u need a refresher course--High blood pressure is a SILENT killer. By the time u are having symptoms like u were, u are in serious danger of having a stroke. You were damn lucky--and so was Mike and Gidget. They may have lost or had an incapacitated mom.
It's wonderful u are going to see the kids in Missouri at Thankgiving...but I sincerely hope u have touched base with ur doc and stopped in and let the nurse do a BP check before u travel. U want to have fun don't u??? U want to be healthy in Missouri and come home healthy don't u???
So PROVE IT!! Stop in at ur docs and have the nurse check ur BP. Don't wait in case u need to do some changes on ur meds-then u will be used to changes before the trip.
Sermon over---FOR NOW!
hugs to u and the kids! U know the sermon was only becuz i care...plus I am in a mood. LOL. But I AM right!!

October 15, 2008 7:47 PM