Rigbee needed help

 While we were in Maine, my cousin Todd (who's been in the business forever!) checked out my camper.  He showed me where the fiberglass had bubbled away under the windows on the "overhead" over the cab.  I took my camper up to Windsor, and they started to take it apart.  We all assumed (you know what that means!) that the rot was just under the windows.  Bad, but not horrific.

I got a phone call a couple of days later, telling me I had to come up and see what they found when they opened up the overhead.

OMG.  I was so shocked I didn't think to take pictures.  They did, but they're not great... still.  Thankfully, Winnebago builds their campers with an aluminum frame, not wood.  The roof and the front was fine, but the sides and bottom were toast.  Rotted through.  Unbelievably so.

So, instead of being a couple of grand, it was SEVERAL grand.  While they were at it, I decided "in for a penny, in for a pound" and had them pull the carpet and vinyl and replaced it all with new vinyl.  It will be so much easier to clean.  

The Rogue (Figure) needed new tires desperately, so I got those a couple of weeks ago.  When I picked up Rigbee, I was told the front tires are in dire need of replacing.  We have an appointment Friday to get those.  

Oh my goodness.  My checking account is very unhappy right now.

Pictures coming...

Teeny Haven's Long Tripp, CGC, ACT2, ACT2J

 

Sunday, July 18^th, 2021 Tails-U-Win (dog training school) hosted Talcott Mountain Agility Club’s (TMAC)  ACT trial.  ACT is an acronym for Agility Course Test.  It’s the lowest level (beginner) of Agility competition. Tripp has mastered both ACT1 and ACT2, but the AKC has added an additional qualifier – Jumpers.

The difference between Jumpers and Standard is that Jumpers does not have “contact” obstacles.  Those obstacles are the A-Frame, Teeter-totter, Dog Walk, or Table.  Weaves and tunnels are still in play along with  -  Jumps!

Since Tripp has his ACT2, we really couldn’t do ACT1J, so I signed us up for ACT2J, just for the fun of it.  We need some practice at trials.  Our friends, Ronnie and her dalmation Daphne were trialing, too, so we’d have company to hang out with.

It was horrifically hot and humid, but Tails is air conditioned, so until it was time for us to run, we stayed comfortable.  We had to take the pups outside a couple of times and it was horrid out there.  Also, the practice jump was set up outside.  Not that either Daphne or Tripp needed to practice, but it was a good reminder. 

Daphne is still working on her ACT2, as she HATES the seesaw.  Quite often she just refuses to do it.  Not sure why, but it can be a bugaboo for many dogs.  Not Tripp, he bounces over the one I built and has to be reminded not to “fly off” it, but put a toe or two in the contact area.

Both dogs were also going for their ACT2J, but at different heights.  Daphne, being a taller dog competes at 20”.  Trippy competes at 16”.  I also learned that I need to have him measured several more times to make it official.  What you learn as you go along.

Anyway, they were running late and although we got there around 12:15, required to check in by 12:30 and we didn’t get our first run in until after 3 p.m.  Tripp had lots of practice hanging in his crate with me nearby.  At last we headed out for our run. 

I had HOURS to study the course, and the five minute walk through to make sure I had everything right in my mind so I felt quite confident.  Tripp was On Fire, ready to go and watching me like a hawk.  I led out to the second jump and gave him the start “Trippy, OVER!” and started forward.  As he cleared the second jump I was already yelling “TUNNEL, TUNNEL, TUNNEL” and he bolted right to where my arm/hand directed.  He wasn’t even out of the tunnel when I started yelling “WEAVE, WEAVE, WEAVE” and he ran right by the weave poles!  Silly boy!  He spun around, didn’t back-talk me ‘cause it was HIS mistake, and flew through the weave poles, I was already running and directing him over the rest of the jumps and he ran – at a distance.  Running and leaping with great joy!  As he flew the last jump, I let him know what a wonderful boy he is. 

Now you should know that I am NOT FAST.  Tripp is so tightly bonded to me he usually trots the course so he stays pretty close to me.  To have him RUN the whole thing while still checking where to go and me actually running and remembering to direct him correctly! was most unusual.  I so wish I’d had my camera there and asked someone to film us…

Round 2 came up quickly enough and although I didn’t study that course as long as I’d studied the first course, after walking it I was confident of Tripp’s and my ability to get through it  easily enough.  I wasn’t wrong.  Once again, Tripp was on FIRE and I was really good.  I almost forgot the last jump, Tripp stopped at it and looked at me and then I remembered that he needed to go over it…  such a good boy.  He jumped from a standstill and I was soooo proud of him. 

ACT2J was the last class of the day.   There were 9 other dogs in the 16” class, the largest class of dogs.  When all the heights were done, we gathered in the big room for the ribbons.  They were awarded by height, then those who qualified and the top three or four getting additional ribbons.

We didn’t have to wait long for them to get to the 16 inch qualifiers.  I waited, knowing that we’d at least qualified (two qualifies = a title at this level).  Remember that part about me not being fast?  It’s the fast dogs that get the fancy ribbons… yellow, red and blue. We didn’t get called for the qualified, not third, not second, (I’m thinking “what the hell? At this point) but then “In first place, Tripp and Raelene”  Woo Hoo!!! Run 1, when he blew by the weaves and had to come back, and we still got FIRST???  What a GREAT dog I have!

Then the second run…  the same thing happens!!!!  Everyone cheered for us again, and I collected the green Qualify and Blue first place ribbon, and our Title Ribbon.  OMG, Tripp is just AMAZING, and people know it now.

Our friends got second place in the 20 inch group and also titled in Jumpers.  All in all, it was a wonderful day.  So happy for us!  We had our pictures taken in the group of qualifiers, then Ronnie asked another competitor to get our picture.  I wasn't quick enough with my phone, so she sent me hers.  

Tripp wanted to look at me, not the camera.  Yup, my dog.

 

 

FYI, we're already signed up for Novice Agility at another trial in August.  I don't know how many "qualifiers" we have to get to get the title and move up, but I'm sure we'll find out.  We're not in a hurry, though.

 

There is a door…

From the breezeway into the garage.  Other than the garage door, it is the only access to the garage, and therefore, my car.

Now this door has functioned fine for about 68 years, other than sticking a bit in the humid weather.  Last evening, as I was putting out the dogs, I turned on their light.  The switch is inside the garage, right next to the door.  As the door shut, something didn’t sound right.  It hasn’t been latching for several months (cause for concern with the ACO and my Houdini-inspired pups).  Now it was latched.  And the knob wouldn’t turn.

Stuck.  Frozen.  Oh, well. Maybe by morning whatever it is will have worked it’s way out.  Can’t really do anything at 10 p.m. anyway.

In the morning, I tried the knob.  Then I looked for the spot where the set screw would be.  The screws for the door plate were on the other side.  Yup.  Officially screwed.  Can’t take the knob off…

So I called and rescheduled today’s doctor appointment, called Bolton Vet for more pills for Piper (she needed a refill), spent a half-hour on hold there.  Finally called my favorite carpenter, Ray Roy, Creative Carpentry, East Hartford.  (Shameless plug!)   Ray mentioned taking it off the hinges.  Why didn’t I think of that??

Since there were god-only-knows how many layers of paint and who knows when the last time they were removed, it took a significant amount of WD-40, hammer and strong straight screwdriver to knock the pins loose (over half an hour).  Once loose they came right out.

But the door did not. I searched the internet for some trick that would help me and eventually tried putting screws in the door and using a wrecking bar to try and move it out.  Nothing worked.

My handyman, Reuben came by and he couldn’t get it out either.  Eventually, we just broke the damn window.  Opened the garage door, took the knob off and shoved the door out.

Took me 20 minutes to clean up all the glass shards (and most is still in the frame).  But at least now I have access to my car.  It’s the little things in life.

Now, not only do I need a real storm door (another story for another day), but I have to fix the glass in this door and get it back in place, and get a new knob for it. 

Never a dull moment.

Never without projects.

 

Medical Marvels

 

Okay Readers.  The next great adventure awaits us all.

Well, this week I was scheduled for a colonoscopy/endoscopy over at Manchester Hospital.  I was NOT looking forward to this, but my doctor has been trying to get me to have one for a few years now, and the “take home” test came back positive, so…  To add to this joy, not only did Manchester Hospital call me to get all the medical history, demographic and insurance/payment info out of the way ahead of time, they also informed me that I have to pay the full boat for this since I haven't met the deductible on my insurance.  OBLAME-O Care sucks.  They've charged over $4K to my credit card...

The prep for one of these is historically a total shit-show (please note, all puns are intended) and this one did not disappoint.  Although I must admit it was much less painful than the prep I endured around 18 years ago, my first go-around with these procedures.

Nowadays, you are on a clear-liquid diet for 36 hours before the procedures, and the heavy dudu prep begins about eight hours before.  At that point, I had to take four pills and drink 32 ounces of miralax.  That was at 1:30 a.m.  I did not chug the fluid, but it was down by 2 o’clock and I dozed until the second dose of everything…

4:30, four pills, another 32 ounces of miralax, and start visiting the necessary quite regularly.  Very regularly.  Yup.  However, I will say there was no cramping or extreme pain accompanying the preparation.   Oh, joyful, you expel until all that comes out is yellow fluid.  Disgusting.  But at least it stopped before I had to leave for the hospital. 

The staff at the gastrointestinal unit of Manchester Hospital were wonderful.  Once they realized I have a sense of humor (probably when I requested they do the endoscopy before the colonoscopy), I was soon hearing all of the jokes of the unit.  And they had lots of them.  Sadly, thanks to the anesthesia I don’t remember them.  But I will also say that the young man who was in charge of keeping me asleep and breathing did an excellent job.  I’ve never come out of anesthesia so easily.  I usually have real trouble coming around and breathing.  This time, I simply woke up and was FINE.  Amazing.

My wonderful Trudy played chauffeur for me.  She is such a special person.

I came home grateful that everything came out fine (literally), but very tired and hungry.  My mouth and throat were sore, but I still ate a bagel with cream cheese.  I could hardly taste it.  Guess that’s the residual effect of the endoscopy. 

The immediate results of the tests were:  Mild signs of stomach irritation and a biopsy of the duodenum was taken (‘cause they could?).  Colon is fine, but a shitload of polyps were removed and sent for testing.  None looked troublesome, so “yay me” for that.  Hemorrhoids were not out of the ordinary.  It’s all quite normal.

Late yesterday evening, I decided to take a nice, hot bath and try to relax into sleep.  It worked, however while I was soaking, Someone who shall remain nameless (mostly because I don’t know whether it was Tripp or Piper) took the tube of Desitin ointment (maximum strength) from the bedside table and decided to chew on it. 

Both dogs sampled it, but Tripp decided quickly that it wasn’t tasty.  Piper decided to take a bigger sampling.  Silly girl. 

Tripp threw up a little quite quickly and then was fine, although he snuggled up with me most of the night.  I didn’t realize Piper had ingested any, but during the night she threw up FOUR times.  She lost her dinner and of course, her nighttime prednisone pill.  By morning, she was quite lethargic.  No interest in breakfast, her pill pocket or her milkbone.  With her history, I can’t take chances so… 

Cleaning up her mess was gross, so I could not eat anything.  Sympathetic stomach, you know. 

I called the vet’s office.  On hold for a half-hour before someone came on the phone.  Twenty minutes after that, I’m directed to call ASPCA poison control.  Oh, yay.  Another 35 (!) minutes on hold before someone came on the line.  OMG.  Piper just lay on the floor, and I kept checking that she was at least breathing.  After about a half-hour on the phone, I was informed that zinc oxide is “self-limiting”, i.e. she threw it up before it could do any lasting damage.  However, it still irritated her stomach and left her feeling unwell.  They recommended we go to the vet’s and have them call poison control with her case number and they (poison control) would advise the vet on what to do.

I had to lift Piper into the car and I grabbed a bagel to munch.  Once at Bolton Vet, Piper went in to the office and I parked the car…  but first, when the tech came out to take her, she carefully scrambled over the seat backs into the back seat.  Trying to get away from the tech and closer to me.  It was adorable and sad.  I got her out and walked her up to the door as if I were going in… and the tech took her. 

There is this awful feeling when the tech takes your dog into the building and you’re left standing there, dog-less, alone, and your baby is facing the unknown without you.  As much as I know she’s where she needs to be, they will take good care of her, etc, ad nauseum, it sucks.

We were there for over two and half hours.  It took Dr. Katy forever to get through to ASPCA poison control (she needed the other phone number) and by the time they used the number Poison Control gave me to bypass the incredible hold waits, Dr. Katy was already doing everything poison control recommended.

So, the upshot of all this is that Piper got to come home, I got to pay another $241 to Bolton Vet (with my senior discount!), $75 to ASPCA Poison Control, and Piper is lying down on the floor in front of me.

Silly dog jumped out of the car and did a “splat” on the ground…  Not enough strength to land and stay up on her four legs.  We came into the house VERY slowly.  Tripp and Tyson were delighted to have her home and of course they all went out for a few minutes. 

Thank heavens I thought to grab the bagel.

BTW, Tripp and Tyson are beside me on the loveseat, Tyson is asleep and Tripp is watching Star Trek: TNG with me.  Piper is asleep on her bed in front of me.  I sure hope she eats her dinner.  

Piper, relaxing on the floor.

 

 

Tyson and Tripp, piled together beside me.

 

Tripp, watching TV.