Its been a very long while.....

Its been some time since my last blog. A combination of losing Karma and facing major spinal surgery sort of left me speechless for awhile. I did not want to post misery.... so thought I'd hang in until the light at the end of the tunnel appeared.

I now have a snazzy new titanium spine, fused from T2 - T6 and am getting there slowly. I was naive in my expectations of what i was in for and was shocked at the pain and disability of spinal surgery! Nuff said on that matter I am ever so greatful to be up and walking and not in a wheelchair! My back is not the same shape and I now sport a pretty awesome scar to wear as a badge of honour in my journey through breaking my back.

Karma left a gaping void in our pet family and it was very hard to recover from our grief. Shani coped pretty well but she does have a very full life. She has a job working for an animal behaviourist as a therapy dog .... see http://www.dogsontrack.com.au/ and most weekends see Shani girl out rehabilitating aggressive hounds.

She loves her job and when Jane arrives to fetch her she goes spacko... zoomies and sprints to where her collar and lead are so she can get to work!

A new addition has recently been added to the Ark.... enter Zinzi a Chihuahua x Min foxy who is now Shani's "mini me" and new companion. Shani was a bit lost when we all went out and would whine quietly to herself so we decided a small "side-kick" to keep her company was a good idea. Zinzi is pretty full on and has bought many smile and much love into our home. EVERYONE adores her even Blue the Siamese is besotted. He plays non stop with the puppy all day. Shani lets her share her bed and her exuberance has bought smiles to all.

Well I reckon that's enough for my return blog.... will post again soon.

Chat soon

Si

Nothing more can go wrong......

Well folks in the saga that is my life........

Just whenI thought nothing more could go wrong, my back has not healed and I am scheduled for Spinal surgery in the next few weeks. Soo may not be back bloggin for awhile again.......


I am going to have from T2 -T6 fused with titanium rods in an effort to stabilise my very broken back. I am comfortable about the decision because I have been slowly deteriorating and the pain and disability increasing........

I'll be back......

Sayonara
Sian

I lost my best friend.........Karma

It has taken me a while to pluck up the courage for this blog. I started blogging when I got involved in the world of Greyhound Adoption... it was meant to be a dog blog, along the way other parts of my life and thoughts crept in. This blog however is pure dog..........Karma.



Last week I made the saddest, toughest decision to make .... I elected to let Karma go with the dignity and love she deserved. After about 5 months of steady decline in her health and appearance, my beautiful Karma was a mere shell of herself. She no longer enjoyed her walks, she stopped interacting with the family, she was very grumpy to other animals....not Karma anymore.



I will always remember her as the most gentle dog I ever owned. So polite and loving and possibly the most loyal dog I ever owned. If I was near and someone else tried to walk her away from me she would just stand there....not without me...she was not going to move.

So I take solace in having had the love of the sweetest dog for the years she spent with us....and hope she enjoyed her time with us.....

R.I.P my beautiful girl
Sian

The Last Straw....

Sometimes I wonder why my life is so...challenging! Seems that no sooner do I climb one mountain, when another looms up immediately? Oh well what can you do...but keep climbing...

So in November I happily completed my Veterinary Nursing Certification... and then spent December working long hours at work, it was our busy season and we had some staff shortages. I was very relieved to be finished studying...

My plan was to take some time off when things settled and get my messy home in order... unfortunately this was not to be...




On the 24Th January I went to ride a horse that had been purchased as "suitable for a competent child", well it turned out to be suitable as rodeo bronc! I was thrown very hard and broke my back!

I have unfortunately fractured 3 vertebrae. Slab fractures off T1 and T2 and then a more than 50% burst compression fracture to T4... The neurosurgeon says I am fortunate to be walking... So I am currently housebound after 2 weeks in hospital...and now unable to work ....

Soo thats my latest excuse for lack of "blogging"...

As soon as I am able to get about and take some pics...I 'll try get the blog running again...

Cheers for now
Sian

I'm done!

Well 3 years, 2 bouts of cancer and lots of work......and I am finished my Vet Nurse Certification. Its a good feeling......not having to study and hand in anymore assignments. After 15 years of Vet Nursing without the certification....it will be good to have the "bit of paper" to go with it!



I am very happy to have finished, there were times I wanted to throw in the towel....but now its done. I have learned lots.......and won't be studying anytime in the near future.....this old dog is done with tricks for awhile!

All is well with the multitude of beasts I own. Karma certainely has aged over winter and is becoming a little cranky. She is no longer so tolerant and if other dogs jump on her she now growls a warning, I guess have old creaky bones can make one a bit irritable. She is approaching 9 years old, its to be expected. She still loves her walkies and will play bow for me......she is always my "special girl".



Shani has blossomed, she is a bundle of fun and maturing into a very sweet gentl girl. She recently became an assistant to an Animal Behaviourist friend of mine. She goes out to help with "dog aggressive" dogs. Her gentle disposition means that she soon wins over the other dog with her gentle demeanour. Never reacting to snaps and snarls, turns her head and just ignores it. They soon realise she means no harm and settle down to walk nearby without attempting harm. It takes a special dog........and she is one!



The cats are fine...getting along reasonably well, keeping me awake as usual......you know the drill.

My next plan is to do some fun stuff......take photos.....and update my blog more frequently! So see you soon.

Si

Its that time again.........

Well my (hopefully) final semester has begun. Blogs will be scarce.....

The Clan is well, just surviving a very cold winter? After 3 years in Queensland I am thinking this has been the coldest for sure. Poor Karma has taken immense strain. She has aged suddenly and is looking and acting like an "old" dog. She has a bad hip/back and the arthritis is bothering her. We got to the point where she was refusing to walk.....would just stop and stare at us.




So she is now on some meds for her pain and has brightened up a bit. Shani is her normal hectic self and is still needing lots of exercise.



The cats are either in bed or on your lap. They are not enjoying the cold much either....wish I could spend as much time as they do in bed!



And me? ....... well I am not too bad actually.......my latest medication has helped my fibromyalgia pain and I can "MOVE" again........its been great!

Gotta Go

Si

I hate toast tagged me....

1) The FAQs and some FUQs (unasked) about the name "Its Character Building".

I have had some some "Character Building Years" sort of started about 11 years ago.......nursed two fathers with cancer , Den's with Pancreatic Cancer and mine with Lung Cancer. Had "at gunpoint" robberies in Johannesburg, emmigrated country, had a husband who has had a rare life threatening tumour known as a Pheochromocytoma.........and then Oral Cancer 18 months later....given a 15% prognosis..... have been told by many "Its Character Building"...........

Its not........it sucks but hey what do you do.......cope.....got 2 kids to raise and wailing doesn't help (I tried)

2) How I met my manboy.

In a pub in Kimberley South Africa..... 21 years ago........am waiting for my medal for putting up with immense amount of sh..t!

3) I make bad stuff.

Not sure.........don't make stuff?

4) I keep stuff about yurts and tiny homes for retirement.

Nope not me...

5) I love the smell of cat and dog paws. They smell like Fritos.

Not sure they smell of Fritos........but after 20 years or more of working with animals I have smelt hooves, paws you name it.....Fritos have not come to mind......

6) I have never had a job for which I applied.

Uh.....had some pretty awesome jobs......been in the "right place at the right time"......put it down to networking...........

Doing nuthin........and loving it!

Sometimes its more important to do nothing... than to run around like chicken without a head. This week I have some time off, because my next lot of studies have not started I have been able to do some stuff I never get to do anymore. I went to the "Big Smoke" for a dinner out and a sleepover with a friend who was up from Sydney, I watched movies, I read a book, I walked the dogs, I ate chocolate, I shopped, I caught up with friends, I lay in bed and just did what I wanted......



Thats what I call doing nothing....... its not often that I get to do that, I guess I got to learn to work smarter......not harder.

It is freezing here.....down to 7 degrees this morning, for Queensland thats cold. We are not used to these kinds of temperatures and are not organised for them. Even the birds are taking strain, J brings them in for a cuddle and they nestle in under her jacket...



The cats have found an alternate heat source to humans..... not sure if its good for the computers but the kitties are warm....



A had her hair cut again..... as soon as its long she wants it short...



Only problem is that I could get used to this lifestyle....

See ya
Si

Getting chilly here now..........

Winter always takes me by surprise in Queensland. I think it is because it gets so hot in summer I can never imagine it being cold. But this last week has been a little cool ... kitties are diving under the blankets and cuddling very close. They are as demanding as ever, if not more. Bindii caused a neighbour to complain as he had gone into her garden and beaten her cat up a few times... other people have teenagers that get into trouble...I have Siamese.



The greyhounds are wearing their jackets again and are reluctant to get up too early. The days are still pleasant and a balmy 23 degrees. Things are ticking over in the household in its normal dysfunctional way. I am feeling much better health wise and my pain has been minimal luckily. New medication has been very successful and I am feeling more able to attack the chaos.


I often wonder if other homes are as strange as mine? Is it just my kids that are so messy or do other folk also battle endless mess? The girls are on holiday for two weeks and did some housework today while I was at work.....I was very impressed.



I need to get out and take some more photos for the blog..... and do some interesting things to blog about. I get complaints otherwise, my sister told me that I can't just "Start a Blog" and then not update it for a month.......




So this one is for her.....with jokes to keep you smiling......

Be back soon
Promise
Si

Longtime No Blog

It has been awhile since my last blog, but I have a multitude of excuses. I have been working fairly long hours, finishing off all the requirements for my studies this semester, supporting a very sad daughter and trying to run a household.

I think I am failing in a few of these areas......... J is missing her boyfriend terribly. But not much I can do to rectify that situation. My household is a desperate attempt at organisation, which has failed miserably. This is evidenced by little piles of "stuff" everywhere. I mean to find a place for them........but they seem to multiply until I feel overwhelmed by them. That makes me leave them for another week...... You see the problem yet?



My behaviour when I am studying, working and "not coping" is not something I am proud of. I can have tantrums, shout and scream and stomp off to my room and slam the door. I am so wishing I had never embarked on this studying. However I am nearing the finish line and it would be incredibly stupid to throw in the towel so close to the end....



I always thought that things get easier as you age but that is apparently not how it works. I seem to rush more, have less time and cope worse? What happened to my vision of arriving to "middle-age" with dignity, poise and control? This Owl does not seem to be getting wiser?

Ok enough about me and my whining.

Winter is fast approaching and the 4 - legged creatures of the house are desperate to avoid the cold. I woke up this morning with Siamese 1 in my arms, Siamese 2 on my head, sharing my pillow and Siamese 3 on my legs. I am apparently a giant hot-water bottle designed for their comfort.

Karma and Shani are once again wearing their multitude of "doggy-coats" that they have. Karma recently had a birthday and is now 8yrs old. She does not look old but I can see she is slowing down a bit. If you take her for too long a walk she starts to slow down and then just stops and stares at you. That means "Ok, enough" I am going home. This next photo was kindly supplied by E an awesome photographer!



Shani on the other hand will go and go....... a bit like a "Duracell Bunny".......

Be back soon
Si

Ups and downs.....

Life gives and takes. I am happy and sad. Happy because J and her Internet boyfriend E met and had a magical three weeks together............sad because now he has left and poor J is heartbroken. A difficult path to follow, but I am sure that where there is a will there is a way!

Happy because my Case Studies are submitted and the last straggly tasks are completed....... sad because today we had to say goodbye to a very special kitty. Mr Meow was a resident at Peninsula Vet for 15 years. He attended Puppy Preschool and taught the pups to RESPECT cats. He ruled the place. It was an honour to have your lap chosen at the weekly team meeting, he sat on your lap and purred his way through the meeting. Sadly after a long illness it came to the day... and we said goodbye. RIP Mr Meow.


No matter how long you do this job ... it never gets easier.......

The Greys are good... the cats are fine... the fish are swimming.....the cockatiels are chirping.....

While E was here he and J were eating some grapes, they had them in a bowl of water.....Ziggy thought that the bowl may actually be an indoor bird bath......



I guess things are ok

Ciao
Si

Old dogs......and new tricks...

I think I am becoming an "Old Dog"..... firstly there is my very obvious grey patch... nothing a bit of dye can't fix. Then there is the fact that I am learning new tricks. I am in my final year of Vet Nursing and really feel like I am out of steam. I have been Vet Nursing for 20 years.... since the time when no one really had qualifications... so I am now studying and am nearly finished... roll on year end ...roll on..... Only books I am gonna open after that are FICTION.

I find that working, kids, home, dogs,cats, birds etc etc.... is hard to juggle. I sort of need more than 24 hrs in a day. So if my blog has been a bit "slow" thats why!

J met a boy "online" a year ago, after a year of getting to know each other E has come to meet us. He is from the Netherlands. So 2 weeks ago E arrived to meet J and see if the online romance was real........ Well it has been a pleasure to meet E and have him stay. After 2 weeks he is part of the family and we are going to be very sad to say goodbye next week. They are making plans about repeat visits.....


Its weird how small the internet makes the world... communicating with people on the other side of the world is as easy as if they lived next door. Due to the internet I have found friends I have not seen for 20 years..... Very odd... but strangely fun! I am having a ball catching up with old friends , seeing how they have changed, what they have become, their kids...

In fact just this week I am meeting an old school friend who is holidaying in Australia...we have not seen each other since High School....

The cats are good, the dogs are fine....the kids are great......D is "cancer" free so I guess we're good!

See ya
Si

It just takes time.....

Having a multi-cat household is tricky. Cats (except for Lions) are generally solitary creatures who prefer to have the house to themselves. So the intricacies of getting multiple cats to live together in harmony is a very delicate balance.



Our latest addition Ty, has finally become part of the clan. In fact there is a bit of a "Siamese Sect" forming. Poor kitten is excluded from this "Ol boys" club. Ty now shares beds with Blue and Bindii but Kitten and he have agreed to disagree. They still hiss and have a little altercation whenever they pass each other in the corridor.



Ty is a survivor, in a few short months he has settled in and managed to get the household under control. He had never had anything to do with dogs...... now he has two Greyhounds under his paw. The 3 Siamese play together, sleep together and share food bowls.



He is a lovely cat, rather opinionated but very loving. He likes to sit on my tummy every evening and watch my soapie "Home and Away".

I am currently on 10 days leave to write 3 exams and do 2 case studies.....aaargh! So I better sign off and get to work............

Si

Out and About with Greyhounds.....

Most days Karma and Shani go walkies. In fact if you mention the "W" word they leap to their feet and start bouncing around. They can also spell W..A..L..K...I..E...S, so don't try fool them by spelling it, they know. Once you have said the word its on, you have to go walkies or else.



Fortunately we live in a very beautiful place so going walkies is a treat for the "peeps" as well. Some afternoons if we are feeling lazy we go up to the school field which is fully fenced and we let them run, this does not take long. They gallop circles around us for about 5 minutes and then they are exhausted and home we go.

I always thought that my two had forgotten about "chasing" stuff, but it is there in the deep recesses. Recently we had a plague of mice, they even tried to move into the laundry to eat the cat food. I kid thee not I personally saw three scuttle past. In the garage is the bird food.... mice heaven. BUT my team aka Karma , Shani, Bindii, Blue,Ty and Kitten got to work. Shani and Kitten are best friends and they worked out a mouse eradication system that was better than anything I could have come up with.

THE PLAN

Kitten runs into small spaces and flushes the mouse out, Shani is waiting and pounces on the offending mouse... and then being a gentle greyhound she gives the "ready to be eaten mouse" back to kitten to eat. For about a week it was hunting , cats catching mice, Shani helping when the cats could not run fast enough. Mouse plague is gone....



All this mouse activity has sparked a distant memory in the doggy brains..... now when we walk along the water's edge they can smell rats under the boardwalk or in the rocks and they look like this......




At night I lock my cats up in the house so that the native wildlife is safe.... one night the cats caught 2 mice whilst locked in the house..... They must be a breed of "Stupid Mice" to locate themselves in a house with 4 cats............

I can't watch, I am not into hunting, but it is swift and final, the mice don't even have time to know what hit them. It sure beats rat bait ......and a slow end!



Ciao For Now
Si

BY GEORGE! I THINK SHE GOT IT!

Well......it has taken some time and dedication BUT finally Shani has made the connection! Its quite a simple equation SIT = FOOD + LOTS LOVE. Its is quite obviously not that comfy and she prefers not to sit on slippery surfaces. Being a very muscle bound greyhound (from lots of zoomies around the garden) sitting is hard. She is happy to sit on the lawn or the carpet. We are very proud Greyhound Parents. J and I were acting like fools we were so excited. A piped up "Hey, I can sit too"...."For chocolate"... Cheeky wretch!





I am having severe motivational issues on getting my Case Studies together. I am so tired from work that I can't seem to get my A into Z to work on my studies. Oh well will have to come up with a plan fast or I am gonna be in the Poo Poo soon.


I am planning to finish this year... finish my studies... then take a deep breath and do NOTHING! Yes NOTHING. My brain is closing down and only essential stuff will take place... no extra things to mess with my "Me time", actually I have been planning a nervous breakdown for years but have never had a spare moment to have one... maybe next year?? I have developed a tic in my left eye and am wondering if this is a first sign of madness? Or maybe its one of the last.....

Most folk start the new year with a "Get Fit" resolution.... I am going to "Stay Sane"...




Will blog soon again
Si