Rudy's Love

Below is my favorite video of Rudy, at her best, doing what she loved, playing. (Notice the "happy tail.") She loved that toy! She wanted to play 24/7 and would coax anyone into playing until they were wore out and said the familiar "enough, Rudy."

I am finding Rudy's love hasn't ended. Her memory continues to be a delight although I miss her terribly. I am finding meaning and satisfaction in giving her things to help others. Although Rudy was terribly protective of her food, I think she'd be happy to know it's going to help other animals.

Earlier this week I was able to give the frozen meat that was Rudy's to a gal on the freecycle list. I had known her years ago when I worked at the chiropractor's office and knew I wanted Rudy's food to go to her. Good people. She accepted the kibble too.

The supplements I'd been giving Rudy were shipped to Montana for Richard's neighbor dog who is having mobility difficulty. Her toys and other usable items were donated to St. Vinnie's. I'll post to the freecycle list the other supplements I was giving Rudy, I'm quite sure someone could use them.

She had many terms of endearment including: Boo Doggie, Boo Boo, Rude Doggy, Snoopy Nose, Rudy Tooty Fruity Head, Rhoudini (yes, she was an escape artist Houdini could admire), and Rutabaga.

She was fast, she was fun, she loved to roll the toy to you with her nose, she was an excellent protector, she loved people, she could sing, she was a delight, I am most grateful she was my friend and traveling girl.

I will blog more about her when I'm ready, for now, please enjoy the lighter moments with Rudy:

Dad's WWII Items Auction Ends Today

Here's a link to the folks who are hosting the auction of Dad's authentic WWII Militaria collection:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZgoodspottyQQhtZ-1

The auction does end today, so don't miss it, it's a one-of-a-kind auction!

Thanks, everyone. Blessings.

Tux

You know the feeling, heart racing, anxious, worried, heightened senses. Yes, a trip to the vet. Despite the steep bill, I gave the go ahead to test Tux to see what might be wrong with her.

Her heart and liver are a little enlarged, not too much to be concerned about. She's slightly anemic, and at this point cannot rule out tumors in her tummy. (Needless to say, with the last 2 1/2 years of battling Rudy's Cancer, this is not helpful news.) Her blood sugar was up, but they suspect that due to adrenaline caused by the visit to the vet.

What they do think at this point is a change in diet would be helpful, a more bland boiled chicken and white rice and see how she does.

Tux did GREAT, they x-rayed her, took the samples they needed and she did not need to be sedated, the doctor said she's just a really good cat. She is, she's always been a very sweet kitty.

It'd be advisable for these folks, when they're quoting how much this care is going to cost, to sedate the human first, or something! I put over $800 on my credit card because I was completely petrified of another animal's health care crisis, and Tux's care has been put on hold while Rudy was center stage.

I debated whether I'd done the right thing or not, but I have to know. Back in the day when work came easy, I had a financial buffer in my checking account alone of $1,000. Any time there was issue with one of the animals, they went to the vet, no question. Their care is priority, and still is. Certainly don't have that kind of money or ability today, I have to take care of them.

They love us with their lives, the very least I can do is my utmost for them in return.

Ruptured Vertebrae

As of this last accident I have one major injury I cannot seem to overcome with nutrition, exercise, etc, that is these three darned ruptured vertebrae on the right side of my neck.

I was out raking today, I really need to rake up and save my mulch before the yard gets torn up for the sewer connection I couldn't do it. I started on a small section that did not even have mulch in it and got stopped in my tracks by pain.

I'll have to put off any more raking for a day or two until this inflammation or whatever it is subsides. Ice pack, here I come! Tremendous bummer to live with pain, most of it I'm used to and ignore but can't with this stuff. It's the kind that doubles me over and I have to stop, my arms get weak, I'm done. Drats.

Maybe instead of singing Three Blind Mice I should be singing Three Ruptured Vertebrae! A little humor now and again is a good thing. Sure wish for the ability to help it heal, if it can.

I am grateful I got to be outside for a little bit, enjoyed the beautiful (and frigid!) weather, see a Bald Eagle, a Hawk, some Chickadees on the feeder, and a Hummingbird. Lovely! Does my spirit good to do what I've always loved, enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

Giving Fate the Finger

Something has certainly freed up in me since I wasn't raised to be irreverent or disrespectful. Perhaps a little more spunk is returning as the fight for survival is now down to a couple of last months here at the house.

While talking with Richard over the weekend I coined the phrase "giving fate the finger" because it looked like we might be able to trade some things we currently have for barn materials. That made my heart light up and I got excited because both parties get what they can use. Folks out there certainly help one another, and I like that!

I spent some of Saturday with my friend Kathleen out in beautiful Port Gamble, it was a lovely, albeit it freezing cold, windy day. She'd asked about my truck (yes, the one I affectionately call "the moss mobile" for the moss that grows on it!), whether it'd be going to Montana with me or not, I said no. She expressed interest, I told her that'd be neat to see it go to her, I'd make her a good deal. It has been what I call a 'blessed' vehicle in that it has been owned by truly great folks. So we continue the legacy and get to help a dear friend. Oh my goodness, giving is a wonderful thing!

It is daunting, all the stuff we go through in this life. It feels good to turn it into something positive somehow.

Garth Brooks, "The Change," one of my favorite encouragement songs, the chorus:

"And I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know
That it will not change me."

I was riding high on my irreverent journey until yesterday when I received a bill in the mail from unpaid medical expenses entirely due to the most recent accident in February that I did not cause. The PIP coverage did indeed run out and I got caught in the cross hairs. Heartache, anxiety, etc., and Richard wonders why sometimes I sigh so deeply, it's just because life is heavy-duty sometimes.

I've talked to two attorneys, a head-injury specialist and a local attorney, neither will take my case. Yes folks, this is America and terribly difficult things happen, and when you don't have a major case, good luck. It does become exhausting, however, I must say, because there is such an ongoing spiral of negative events.

I finally broke down in tears yesterday at the laundromat. Yes, the laundromat. I'm still having to do laundry elsewhere until the sewer issue gets resolved. I had just picked up my mail and thought I'd bring it with me to read, not only did I find that huge unpaid bill, but my vet sent me a sympathy card. That sent me over as I was only now washing some of the blankets Rudy had taken as her own. Oh how I miss that girl!

I am grateful for laundromats and having the funds to do my laundry, and I'm grateful for my vet who'd been Rudy's vet since I got her, and into whose hands I could place Rudy's life and never worry.

The struggle is exhausting, disheartening, and can break my spirit, but those who know me well know I'm a fighter who doesn't consider giving up or quitting an option.

Looking to bless and be a blessing while testing spiritual laws in this seven-year game of survival.

Extraordinary Auction on eBay

Hi everyone,

I've been busy with a lot of things lately, the most important of which is my Dad's WWII Japanese medals, badges, and things he collected while stationed in Japan.

This is currently listed on eBay http://shop.ebay.com/330384141631

Dad would often mention the gun he'd taken from a Japanese soldier and how he did not like it being in the house. Years ago, when they began gun recycling programs, I took it to the police station so it would have a new, better life. Dad's soul and heart could finally find some peace.

There were a lot of things Dad could never talk about when it came to WWII, and with that, a sort of sadness for us and longing to know more about his experiences.

It wasn't until I watched PBS' series on World War II that I realized why my Dad could not speak of those things. He was also at Normandy, seeing the documentary, I now had a deep sense of understanding and respected how he needed to handle the trauma he saw and experienced.

I believe there is spiritual value to valuing, honoring and respecting what we're given. It is very difficult parting with these badges and boxes my Dad himself collected, but I want them to be appreciated and honored.

With my liquidating everything I own, these have utmost significance to me. It's time for others to enjoy and revere this sacred history too. Letting go is never easy, but it feels right to share with others this precious moment in time we've been entrusted with.

With all my heart, I offer these for the world to cherish, honor, respect, revere.

Selling on eBay

Hi everyone,

I've hired help to get some things that may be of value on eBay. I've had great intentions of listing these myself, but well, reality is what it is and I'm now rushed to get everything done at once.

Here is one auction they currently have running:

My Dad's Vintage Sea Scouts - SEA EXPLORER Flag - 61" x 35" http://shop.ebay.com/330383518851

If you know of anyone interested in Boy Scouts or Sea Scouts, I'd love for them to take a look at the auction and see if they're interested. I really want these items to go to people who will appreciate and enjoy them rather than keep them boxed up in storage.

They are meant to be appreciated and enjoyed. Thanks for listening.