Updates

Well, it's been a solid month since I've posted anything, and I promise to try to do better; though my loyal readership, such as it is, hasn't exactly been beating down the door.

First the dog: he either strained or tore a ligament in his left hind leg. Limpy limpy limpy all around the house. Scared me half to death because it was so sudden. Now he's on anti-inflammatories. I swear, the dog gets better healthcare than I do.

Also, my dog is an alky. I left my beer on the table the other night when I went into the kitchen to fetch some chips. I came back to find the dog had knocked the bottle over and was happily lapping up the brew. I poured the remainder in a bowl and let him have it. I wasn't about to finish a bottle with doggie backwash and fur. He was quite pleased with the beer, and wagged his tail furiously. The joke at work is that he hurt his leg trying to get himself another beer. Either that, or he got drunk and fell out of the bed.

The kitty is fine, as kitties usually are. She's warming up to the dog and will sleep with him if I am there. We usually end up with his head on my chest, her against his head on my chest, and me suffocating from the combined weight and warmth.

I neglected the lawn mowing this weekend, and now it is raining, so no mow.

I'll probably do a post on the jail food flap here at Sedgwick Co later tonight.

I needs must run to McD's and get me something to eat. Ta for now!

Home

Well, we got all moved in.

I'll give a shout-out to Get A Move On Inc, the moving company I used. It took an hour and a half to get loaded and unloaded, and cost less than $200.

I'm very tired from yardwork; I haven't mowed a yard in four or five years. Odin helped by running to all the patches I hadn't got to and eating the grass. Maybe he really is half horse.

He tried to go after a squirrel today and was very surprised to see it scamper up the tree and disappear. I tried to explain that if he wanted to catch it it'd have to be elderly, sick, and on a walker with a leg missing, and even then he might catch it.

Suki the kitty is enjoying all the windows; the apartment only had two, both on the east side, so there wasn't as many viewing ports for her to maintain surveillance on her domain. She sits in the windows and balefully watches the birds twitter and fly, thinking "If only I were out there, I'd get me some din-din". She occasionally sleeps in the sun to recharge her solar-powered tummy cells (hey, what other good explanation is there for cats sleeping in the sun?)

I still have many, many boxes to unpack, but the worst is over.

In other news, I have had a very significant loss of hearing over the last five or six months. 20dB in the higher ranges, not my usual loss area. I am waiting to hear from Vocational Rehab on what can be done. This is of course causing significant problems at work, but they're working with me pretty well on that. My loss is considered moderate-to-severe. There's no noticeable rate of decline, it drops, but at different degrees, so I have no idea how much longer I will have with hearing. An incentive to learn sign language!

Well, I needs must get to McDonalds. I hear they have a huge burger out now called the third pounder. Jay Leno said that's because you need to pound your chest three times to get your heart restarted after eating it.

We're Moving On Up

It's been awhile since I've updated, so here goes:

A fellow parishioner has a house for rent, and so I am getting out of my lease early at this apartment and moving in there, just before Palm Sunday. It's a nice little rental home, two bedrooms, fenced backyard, etc etc. All the good stuff. Sure, my expenses will be higher, but it's worth the deal.

The fenced backyard will be particularly nice, as I'll be able to let the dog run around freely. However, he doesn't like being out there without me outside with him. Odin merely stands there at the back door and quotes from the doggy scriptures: Behold, I stand at the door and whine...if the master opens the door to me, I will enter in with him, and wag my tail playfully and jump all over him for joy.

I finally told Suki the kitty that we're moving. She set her ears back and began to lash her tail:

--A new house? New smells? New furniture arrangments? That smelly dog has a pea brain; of course he's happy about it!
--But, Suki kitty, there's lots of windows.
She set her ears back forward and stopped lashing.
--Windows? I can sit and sleep in the windows? I can migrate with the sun, soaking up every bit of that warmth into my solar-cell tummy...
--And birds to watch. I'll even hang a birdfeeder outside.
--Ooooooh. Nice. Tasty. Feathery.
--Um, you won't be able to get at them, kitty.
Hiss.
--But you might have the chance to chase mice. These old houses, don't you know...
Purr.

So we've settled that issue. I've not told her that it involves being stuck in the kitty carrier and taking a car ride. It'll take her hours to give the place a proper inspection. Odin has already done his preliminaries.

The house has a furnace grate in the floor, the only heating grate in the whole place, as was the style at the time. He absolutely refuses to walk on the grate. He goes out of his way to avoid it. He looks at me like I'm crazy when I stand on it. I'll cover it over in the summertime, he probably won't know the difference.

Well, I have much packing to do. Ten boxes of books have already been moved, but I may have two or three more. Then other assorted odds and ends. I'm hiring professional movers for this. If they do a good job, I'll give them free advertising here. All they'll be moving is the stuff that would require two people. If I can get Odin into the backseat of my car, I can get things his size or smaller in there, so that's a useful standard.

And now off to church.

Lent Begins

Lent began with Ash Wednesday. For this year, I initially attempted to give up smoking; I lasted four days. Sigh. This is pretty tough.

I have also restricted my computer usage to an hour after I get back home from work. Weekends, it's a little more difficult, but I'm getting alot of reading in.

I get to suffer in a unique way; I am working at the front counter next week. Joy of joys. It's hard enough to hear as it is. It's actually working out pretty well, and I've got enough confidence.

I took Odin to a professional groomer (over at Petsmart) today. I had to lead him to the little holding cage, as he wouldn't go on his own. There wasn't enough room for him to stand in there. The look he gave me was so pitiful I nearly balked. As I walked out, he let out a whimper. Nearly broke my heart. The poor dog thought he was being left for good.

I understand he gave the groomer a bath. Other than that, he was pretty good, and smells considerably better. I took him on grand parade through the store afterwards, where he met lots of little dogs (all dogs are little to him) and their people. Awwwww. This tiny Pomeranian puppy just loved on him and managed to get away from her owner long enough to trot after us for a bit til I scooped her up and handed her back. Those short and stubby little legs can move.

He's still scared of the fancy rats they keep there. I'd like to have a couple of rats as pets myself, they're very cute and intelligent, but between Odin and Suki, they'd not last long.

I am going back to watching Braveheart. I never get tired of that movie. Kinda hoky dialogue, yes, but the cinematics and battle scenes are still pretty darn good. One of the kids at church told me today that that's an old movie. Considering he was born in 1990 and the film came out in 95, I suppose it is an old movie to him.

I've never felt old before, but that sure did it. Good thing I didn't mention that I had watched Willow on Saturday.

60 degrees!

We hit 60 today. Woohoo!

Rumors and the weather services have it that we may hit 70 sometime this week.

I took Odin to the park. I threw his squeaky toy, and he ran off after it. Sometimes he made me run to go get it. Smart dog, knows Daddy needs his exercise!

Later we moseyed over to where I saw a group of people with two adult rat terriers and a litter of puppies all on leashes. The tiny little puppies were barking their heads off at Odin, though he didn't bother with them at all; he knows they'd only be a mouthful. The adults sniffed all over and accidentally got a leash wrapped around a couple of his legs, and he nearly went down like the Imperial AT-AT walker during the Battle of Hoth in The Empire Strikes Back. The people and I managed to get him untangled before he did trip and fall.

All in all, a very enjoyable day.

Well, more updates as events warrant.

Today's Lyrics

Hymn to the tune of "Cwm Rhondda", also used for "Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer" (or Jehovah in some traditions, notably Protestant)

The Welsh version is very beautiful and is quite popular in Wales. I understand it is a tradition at Welsh rugby games to sing "Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer". That has got to be a sight...10,000 boozed up Welsh rugby fans singing hymns.
This is an alternative hymn to the same tune. Very touching.

Lo, between the myrtles standing,
One who merits well my love,
Though His worth I guess but dimly,
High all earthly things above;
Happy morning! Happy morning!
When at last I see Him clear!
When at last I see Him clear!

Rose of Sharon, so men name Him;
White and red his cheeks adorn;
Store untold of earthly treasure
Will His merit put to scorn
Friend of sinners! Friend of sinners!
He their pilot o'er the deep.
He their pilot o'er the deep.

What can weigh with me henceforward
All the idols of the earth?
One and all I here proclaim them,
Matched with Jesus, nothing worth;
O to rest me! O to rest me!
All my lifetime in His love!
All my lifetime in His love!

Dane Discrimination

A very irritating day...

The apartments I currently live at have had a recent change in management. Said new management decided, in their great wisdom, to no longer permit large dogs, indeed, no animals above 18 pounds.

I was told at the manager's office: "When your lease is up, you'll have to either get rid of the pet or move out." That's just cold.

Now, you can gripe me out about my handwriting, playing music too loud, parking wrong, or any number of things. But you do not tell me what to do with my dog. Them's fightin' words!

So, Odin and I are going to go see another apartment complex this weekend; the people I spoke to there said "125 pounds? No problem!" The terms of their lease agreement and everything seem very good; I'd actually save money if I were living there now. Since my lease isn't up til September, I have plenty of time to save money for the deposits and moving expenses and so forth. I told Suki the kitty that we have to move in September, and to get her anxiety over it done with now, as managing and rehousetraining Odin is going to make things difficult. Not to mention moving all the heavy furniture, kitchenware, etc etc. I have alot of sorting to do.

This policy change is going to inconvenience a great many people in this complex. The management company stands to lose a good many longtime customers and business as a result. I can understand that some people are just afraid of big dogs because of their sheer size; I can understand, but not always agree with, breed type restrictions (I've seen vicious black Labs). But to change a policy that was often the reason many people moved here in the first place is bad business and frankly discriminatory against large/giant breed owners. I am going to see if I can't find out why they changed the policy.

I'm just none too pleased about having to move; I don't much care for it, and at least this place I'll be looking at is still within walking distance to the office.

This new place has fireplaces and is closer to the park and has better views of the river, so it will be worth the expense. And not having to pay pet rent! I can understand that some people don't always pick up after their pooch (I've been caught out without baggies for Odin before). I do understand that a business owner can do what they damn well please. This is America, after all. So I shall simply close my eyes and think of the nation, and sign the papers.

More about Odin and Other Critters

Odin can catch pupcorn from the air. I tell him to "catch" and move it back and forth, he tracks every move. He managed to catch five out of seven. He takes little hops forward and just snaps right down. If he misses, it bounces off his nose, and as he's lunging forward, that just gives it more momentum. He managed to knock one a good three feet away. He also seems to know that his tongue has to be kept well back from those choppers. It's highly entertaining.

Pupcorn tastes horrible. It has no flavor at all. It needs salt, truth be told.

Oh, what is pupcorn? It's a crunchy doggy treat that is pretty much all air. It's "cheese flavored" (no, it's not. I can attest.) Low fat, low calories, low sodium, etc. You can get them at Petsmart.

I also give Odin his "Old man" treats (dog biscuits with glucosamine and chonditrin, for the joints). And pig's ears. He loves him some pig's ears. I also got him a gigantic rawhide bone that he's been working on for awhile now. Keeps those teeth clean and healthy.

One of the things I've been doing is giving him more and more exercise (and myself too in the process!) that now he is able to tolerate me holding him up by the forelegs for a bit. Not quite enough to where he can rest on my shoulders, but we're getting there.

We went up to the park today, by the river. There's still ice and snow, and often a layer of water under the ice, especially on the low lying sidewalks. There were a few geese around. Odin nearly dragged me onto the ice in the river, but I managed to pull him back and save us both from hypothermia. He really wanted to see that damn goose. I'll have to bring him out there in the spring when the geese and ducks are all there, with some bread. I can hand feed some of the geese and ducks.

It's also a great deal of fun watching geese attempt to land on ice. There's generally a lot of flapping and startled honking as they struggle to stop skidding.

Well, to bed. I have sacristy duties in the morning.

It Just Never Quits

It has seemed to be one thing after another lately...blogging's been light because of that.

Bills, bills, bills. The usual stressors of 21st century life.

The snow and ice from the last two weeks still hasn't melted yet. It is nice being able to walk on patches of bare ground though. We may have a good growing season this year.

The dog is doing well as ever, and the cat is now to the point where she'll sleep on the bed when he's on it too.

I've a touch of the cold now, and so I am hitting the Airborne and trying to stay nice and quiet. Busy schedule this weekend at church: Serve tonight's Vigil Mass, sacristan for both English Masses tomorrow. Well, I could certainly do with the extra time in church; my soul needs it.

In Local News...

Well, yet more snow. It's coming down something fierce right now.

Odin loves the snow, truth be told, it's like a giant slip and slide for both of us. He tries to eat the snow and ice. Yes, we still have ice. I've not walked on solid ground for a week.

And the story featuring Odin has run in the Eagle today (the picture isn't available on the Net, but I hope to get a digital version shortly). No telling how long that article will be available, either. At least a week or so.

Odin likes his celebrity, but I told him the gold chains and cigars have to go...

It"s Cold!

It's very, very cold out, and sleeting and snowing hard. The dog was utterly miserable, but I am not about to allow him to go in the house just because it's cold. This is an incentive for him to hurry up and go, already.

From the Curt Jester's blog:

Cold and Hot Catholics
un-Muted Mumblings blogs:
As the temperature dips into the low single digits (or below zero according to some), I ran into some particularly Catholic experiences this morning. So here is my "A Catholic knows it is cold when:"
- Your lips freeze to the metal crucifix as you kiss your Rosary for the morning commute.- You bless yourself with holy ice instead of holy water from the font by the front door.
- You experience an apparition walking by the front yard statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary; she isn't crying, but she appears to be shivering.
- The Rosary swinging from the rear view mirror chips ice off the windshield as you slam on the brakes.
and the number one way to know it is cold (not exclusive to Catholics)
- The environmentalists stop talking about global warming.

Funny stuff. Now here is my Florida counterpoint.

A Catholic knows it's hot when....

You fill up your Holy Water font five times a day because it keeps evaporating.
You have a cross shaped burn mark on your lip from kissing your crucifix.
You squeeze to rinse your scapular daily because of the all the sweat it has absorbed.
You never buy a Rosary with black beads because they retain too much heat.
The plastic Jesus on your dashboard melted.
There are no miraculous statues of Mary since her tears evaporate before anybody notices anything.
You burned your fingers blessing yourself at Mass from a Holy Water font warmed by sunlight through the stained glass windows.
And the number one way Catholics know that it is hot:
You start to wonder just how bad Purgatorial flames can be in the first place.

We're Making News!

At work, I told the story of how I unexpectedly met Lori, Odin's former owner, and what an excellent experience that was. Well, one of my coworkers (you're reading this and you know I will find some way to get back at you for this!) called the Wichita Eagle's Pets journalist.

My first knowledge of this was sitting down to an email after lunch telling me to expect a call from the newspaper about Odin and meeting his former owner, and that the journalist was very interested in writing a story. Whoa. My first thought was, "Oh dear Lord, they're going to want to take pictures and come to my apartment and I have to clean!"

The journalist called me later in the day and I granted her a short interview and set up a time for the photographer and herself, possibly, to come out and take pictures. I got ahold of Lori and let her know what was going on and if she would call the newspaper and so forth, and she seemed pretty enthused about the whole deal. So, hopefully she'll be able to come to the picture shoot on Monday.

The pictures will be around the corner where we met, and, if we can get Odin to calm down long enough, or the photographer has a very fast shutter speed (say, 1/500ths of a second?), we'll have a nice picture or two to go along with the article.

Odin will be a Wichita media darling for the length of time it takes groggy Wichitans next Saturday morning to sip their coffee, comment on his picture, "Dang big dog", and turn to the sports section.

Awesome Coincidence

I was out walking Odin during my lunch break when a lady came around the corner of the apartment building, looked at the dog, and said, "Odin!".

Odin then proceeded to run full tilt to the lady, dragging me behind like a little rag doll. Turns out the lady was his former owner! She and her husband were in the process of moving and they were unable to keep Odin, so they made the very difficult decision to bring him to the Humane Society, where I adopted him less than two, three days later.

She and I had a good visit and talked about the dog and exchanged info to stay in touch. Now, out of 300,000 plus people in the city of Wichita, she would drive by at the right moment and see me walking the dog. That's one of those God moments.

Turns out that Odin is in fact registered with papers, was stood to stud and helped litter ten puppies, and they were intending to show him, but life circumstances got in the way over the years. It's very sad how things like that happen, and I have the deepest sympathies for those who have to give up a companion and family member of many years. I've lost my own dogs over the years, and I know how it hurts. His owner thought she would never see him again, would never know what happened to him. Well, now she knows! He's warm, safe, healthy, and happy with me, though it's pretty obvious he misses his momma terribly. I have never before had to pull on him as hard as I had to to get him to go back to the apartment with me.

He's pretty wired up, been looking out the window and running around the apartment, and I know what he's got to be feeling. The poor guy will probably be a little sad for a few days.

His former lady is going to get me his papers, as well as bring some puppy pictures of him and of his litter (awwwwwww!). So, I am going to get some pictures together of my dogs over the years and print off some current pics of Odin that I took recently.

Other things I learned today: he does have a kind of sensitive stomach. A little Pepto-Bismol will clear him right up. I can identify, I myself have stomach trouble. So does the cat, come to think of it. I'm sensing a pattern here.

He's also been a good Catholic doggie all his life, as his former people are Catholic as well, which is also another nice thing to know. However, I will not be putting him on the no-meat-on-Lenten-Fridays rule.

Also, the ear infection, he's always had, ever since he was a puppy. They cropped his ears to see if that would help (nope). He likes rope toys, balls, squeaky toys (another trip to Petsmart...), and, as I figured right away, has a need to be with me at all times if possible. He will tolerate showers, but you have to get in with him (we figured this out too).

So, this is one of those bittersweet moments of life for dogs and their people. He was, as she said, a blessing for her to be able to see him again and know what happens with him, and he certainly is a blessing for me to have and to take care of. God does watch out for even the least of His creatures.