I've Got Good News and Bad News

The good news is that my neurologist could find no evidence of multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis from the MRIs and blood tests, so he ruled these out. He also ruled out a stroke. He isn't sure what causes the vision disturbances I have, but figures it is related to the hardening of the arteries to the eyes, low blood-pressure, and some cholesterol build-up in the arteries....in other words, conditions related to aging, not disease. (Had I listened to my sister, Bonnie, who told me this, I could have saved myself about $900.00.) Well, needless to say, I'm pleased with the news.

The bad news is that we took the pit bull pup to the Humane Society, where they will hold him for 3 - 5 days, with the hope that the real owners will reclaim him. Not likely, if he was abandoned. I waited to see where he would be placed, and who his kennel mates would be. Fortunately, he was placed with another docile, small dog. Taraz and I will visit him on Taraz's lunch-break, to see if he has been claimed, and I'll go again on Friday. I haven't a shred of hope here - the Humane Society will not place pit bulls, the liability is too great.

Ruhiyyih and I were in touch all day trying to get through this. She'd e-mail me from work, I'd e-mail her back, we were boo-hooing all day:

me: Ruhiyyih, I added two more photos of Taraz's pup, to Flitzy. Just for you! I'll be taking him to the pound today, after breakfast. Snif.

Ruhiyyih: Oh thank you mama!!! Can't you wait a leetle while...see if someone will take him? HE is sosooooososoos sweet...just look at him all curled up on Taraz' lap!!! He does not look like a pit bull! Snif Snif.

me (later): I just took him down, and the Humane Society will keep him 3 - 5 days, to see if the owner will re-claim him; otherwise, they just 'put them down', as they cannot assume liability with placement. Just too many bad stories, the attendant said. Snif. I waited until he was placed in a kennel, with another really shy, quiet dog who was much smaller. I felt this was good, and I spoke to him and reassured him. Pretty soon all the other dogs were barking at him, and he started barking BACK! High pitched bark, defending himself! Poor little thing - that was only the second time I heard him bark. He is such a good little pup. They said he was only 5 months old. I'll be going back, probably every day, to see if he has been claimed. I gotta go have a cuppa coffee and perk up my spirits.

Ruhiyyih: Taraz was meant to have that dog. They should move to Montana, live off the fat of the land, and enjoy that pup. I am so sad. Poor lil pup never asked to be born in the first place! And to be abandoned like that! It is so wrong. Oh Mama go back and get him. I think you made a huge mistake!

me: I really thought that dog was Taraz's, too, Ruhiyyih! They just fit, same color, same temperament. It was really HARD to let go of this dog. But, Megan said that any kind of trauma done to this type of dog sets them up later in life to be 'unpredictable'. They also cannot have a dog where they live. Most rentals don't want dogs ruining the carpet and yard. Where they are, they don't really have a backyard to keep the dog in. Really, we went over so much. But, the bottom line is "not this kind of dog". I still stand by that, sorry as it is. Boo Hoo. I just loved that little pup!!!!!!!!!!! When I went out this morning, he started to jump and play, livening up. God. Why don't people just take care of their dogs, and never let this kind of thing happen. It was real tough.

Ruhiyyih: WHAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Mwah mwah... It is like when you took the bunnies to Point Defiance Park!

me: Isn't it amazing, how attached we get to our animals.....and, remember when I lost my bunnies, chickens and goats all in one day?

Ruhiyyih: Yeah, I remember you boo hoo'd the whole day and then you were over it. Everyone here has a dog. Instead of kids they have a dog. Makes me want a dog instead of a husband.

I just sat down and shook my head. What an ordeal. I was feeling very much 'on the outs' here, when I received an e-mail from my brother-in-law, Oldeupher. I was sure not ready for the ending. But, I had a good laugh. Thank God for a good joke:

Four brothers left home for college. They became successful doctors and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.

The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."

The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."

The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."

The fourth said, "You know how Mamma loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because her sight is failing. SO, I met this preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire bible. It took twenty preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mamma just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."

The other brothers were impressed.

After the holidays Mom sent out her 'Thank You' notes. She wrote:

"Milton , the house you built is so huge I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."

"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."

"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same."

"Dearest Bob, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."

Luv Ya... Mama