The canine patient

Zoe, Bailey and I are so thankful for everyone's well-wishes. As of Thursday night Zoe appears to be doing well. I spoke with my regular vet Thursday morning and she relayed some strange results regarding Zoe's thyroid function, but I don't think those will be the focus of our ongoing investigation - at least not right now. She also told me I could stop testing Zoe's urine for glucose (Huge Hurray!)

As of Thursday morning, our next step is to test her blood albumin levels next Thursday morning. If the albumin is low I'm sure Dr. Geyer will recommend either another glucose blood test and/or an abdominal ultrasound.

Zoe has been eating like a champ since Monday evening with no vomiting or abnormal stool. We had a minor scare Wednesday morning, which I've since come to believe was paranoia on my part. But seriously, after the episode Zoe had on Monday night, I can't imagine any pet owner not feeling an equivalent level of paranoia. Zoe is just so darn tiny that it's hard not to worry about any behavioral change.

I'm actually looking forward to going to work Friday morning (I haven't been in the office since Monday afternoon). I thought Zoe would be sick of me by now since I've been stalking her with urine collection containers, water bowls and lights in her eyes to check for responsiveness; but she is apparently just as obsessed with me as always. I, however, am completely ready for some human interaction and a little break from doggy drama.

If I come home Friday night to find her listless and stumbling I'll know I'm going to hell for sure, but I'm confident that she will be just fine for the time being - and I hope for the long run as well.

Zoe, Bailey and I wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween. Updates on Zoe will follow as I get definitive answers. Thanks again for the love!

Zoe update

Test results - several following the initial blood panel - were not terrible, but certainly not good. While her behavior appears to be normal, Zoe's blood tests and urinalysis have not offered anything promising.

Under orders to feed her small and frequent meals along with stringent observation, I can only hope that we might get some answers soon. During this time I've also been instructed to test her urine for glucose each time I take her out to empty her bladder (by utilizing test strips often used by diabetics for glucose monitoring).

Collecting a urine sample from a 5.6 pound dog might seem daunting, but I've somehow almost mastered it in less than a day. Of course that does NOT mean it is fun or ego-boosting to be seen trailing behind a tiny terrier with a Gladware container on the ready for piss collection. No siree bob. But I'll deal with it.

Nothing is definitive yet, but possible diagnoses at this point include: cancer; liver disease; a shunt (obstruction); kidney disease/failure (less likely based on test results); other mass/tumor; or least likely yet most hopeful, a complete fluke.

We appreciate your support!

Zoe panic strikes again

When I got home last night and let Zoe out of her crate, she wouldn't walk. Upon going outside she proceeded to wildly rub her face and upper torso on the ground and driveway while struggling to get her footing. She couldn't hold her head up and when I picked her up she flailed around as if trying to right herself but she couldn't. She appeared to have no control of her limbs whatsoever.

I called my vet 5 minutes before closing and they agreed to wait for me (THANK YOU Park Vet).

I'm astonished that I didn't get a speeding ticket on my way to the vet. I'm even more astonished that I didn't have a car accident. Zoe spent the entire ride tossing haphazardly about in her crate, crashing face-forward into the door in an attempt to get herself upright. The vet assistant who took Zoe in did not have a promising look on her face once she laid eyes on my pathetic baby girl.

Dr. Geyer's initial recommendation was for me to immediately take Zoe to the emergency vet as she was dehydrated, she's down to 5.6 pounds (she was 7.3 lbs in March 2009) and she appeared to have had some kind of seizure.

After about 40 minutes at Dr. Geyer's office, she regained her ability to walk, however, the vet remains worried about the weight loss and disorientation. They took a full blood panel and I will get results this morning (Tuesday).

Tiny Zoe has been doing well since we got home (at the time of my writing this post at 1:08 am). I bought her some baby food on the way home from the vet as I knew she would suck it down without any difficulty. I wish I could get her to drink more water, but she's never been a big water-drinker.

Thus far I'm extremely thankful to have not had to make use of the rectal Valium syringes the vet gave me to use in the event that Zoe has another seizure. Let's hope she holds off from anything requiring their use.

Meanwhile, my 12-year-old Norwegian Elkhound, Bailey, is healthy as a horse. He's maintained his goal weight for more than 6 months.

Now if I could only keep them both healthy at the same time. Well wishes for Zoe are very much appreciated!

Closet Office Complete

I finished the closet office on Saturday, after hanging my homemade bulletin board (blue-framed item in the center of the photos). I still need to hire an electrician so that I don't have wires and cables tangled every which way, but otherwise I'm loving my new little office space (ignore the glimpses of my blue dresser on the right).

Unexpected perk and simultaneous downer: While cleaning up for the office project I found my Chris Reuther memory ribbon, which I thought I'd lost. I was so happy to have found it, but finding it also made me break down into a long fit of tears. Chris' ribbon is the green and blue ribbon pinned to the central bulletin board.

In order to not end this post on a severely solemn note, I'll just say that Chris' ribbon will now remain safe in my new closet office for as long as I live in my current residence.

While I don't need a ribbon to remember Chris, I'm proud to keep a reminder of him close to me.

Quote of the day

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second;
Give your dreams all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you."

- William James

All I really need to know I learned through swimming

...or by the obligation of going to practice.

Six days a week. 20+ hours a week back and forth in a pool. At least there was underwater music at UNC-Chapel Hill, but that perk didn't come until college.

I don't miss the misery of 6 am practices in an ice cold pool, 5:15 am practices in the weight room or endless weekends spent in the middle of nowhere at random meets in an effort to make qualifying times.

What I remember the most are my friends I made along the way - my closest friends to this day - friends I made before I was 10-years-old. Oddly enough (and of course not inclusive) these are largely my only friends with families intact (no divorce, etc). I have no ideas on any connection there - I've just always found that interesting - faithful friends, faithful parents. Who knows.

Anyway, I learned a great deal from practice, from Robbie (my coach), my parents, my friends and my teammates. No matter how much I may have cursed practice or any individual forcing such practice on me, I know I am a better person for having endured, participated, committed and dedicated myself to my sport.

1. Be prompt: Even if you're the last person to dive in the pool the coach will remember you were there on time.

2. Don't hit (or grab) people: If you find yourself behind someone slower than you, find a way to politely make your way in front of them. Groping their heels is really just not polite.

3. Support your friends: When you're at a big meet, encourage them and do your part to cheer them on.

4. Don't take things that aren't yours: PSYCH! If you are the underdog and you beat the top dog, Good on ya! Keep going even harder. But I must interject here that a girl from a rival high school stole my swim team jacket, tried to pick my embroidered name out of it and pass it off as hers. I still recall the whole situation as one of the most ridiculously pointless and vindictive dealings ever forced on me. Her parents made her call me to apologize, but I could hear her metaphorically spitting on me through the phone. I admit I wanted her to be caught, but I didn't want the jacket back. To want it would've given her the satisfaction of hurting me.

5. It's always nice to share: Goggles, caps, towels, back rubs, "strap massages." Share and share alike. I always admired the kids sitting back in the following heat who would offer up their goggles or what have you to the SOL swimmer racing before them. It happened more than you'd think.

6. Take a nap: Had I ever actually had time to do that during my swimming career I would've. It would've been glorious.

7. Shoot for the stars and believe in yourself: As my closest friends can quote me, When I was 12, I miraculously made my dreams come true. Against the odds and without my own coach's belief in me, I propelled myself in the ranks and achieved my goal to make the All-Star NC team. I placed in the top 4 in 6 races despite being seated no higher than 12th in any given race. I still remember my "goal meeting" with my age-group coach so clearly, weeks before the Junior Olympics, the way she looked at me like my dreams were completely unreachable. And I remember even more clearly the ecstatic cheering, jumping and wild victory-fist pumping of Robbie when I crushed my personal best times in each and every event. I truly wish I could've bottled that feeling. It was amazing.

8. Live a balanced life: Do the time, do the sets, finish practice. When you leave the pool, leave the pool. You might still smell like chlorine, but it's healthy to remove yourself from your sport on a regular basis.

9. Play fair: Don't pull on the lane ropes during backstroke sets or take a dive mid-lap and double-back unless you want to hurt yourself. Cutting a lap = cutting your training = cutting your ability.

10. There is no "I" in team: While swimming is a highly individualized sport, there are also relays, and more importantly the necessity of a support system. If you think about all of the athletes most likely to crack under pressure (ice skaters, gymnasts for example) this idea should be quite clear. Individualized focus is fine, but keeping things in perspective is even more important. I don't think I could've gotten through a single swim meet completely on my own. I know for certain I never could've gotten through a Robbie swim practice without my teammates - my friends.

So thanks Robbie, Robin, Dad and Mom; and of course Kerry, Mark, Susan, Anna, Amy, Elaine, Suzanne, Alex, Scottie and many, many more Wahoos. I admit that I was often a bitter teenager loathing my plight, but I know that I wouldn't be the same Tracey had I not been "Tracey the swimmer." I know I'm a better person for it.

Forgetting high school

I SO do not miss high school, or middle school. I am certain that I met and was forced to interact with the meanest individuals I could ever deal with in my entire life when I was in the 7th grade. But I must admit that some of my favorite teachers were those assigned to my 7th grade education – especially my algebra teacher, Mrs. Martin, who adored my brother, and therefore allowed me into her good graces despite my lack of mathematical skills.

Thirteen-year-olds are most often inherently mean. The meanness is not necessarily intentional, but likely unavoidable.

While I’d hoped all of that could’ve been left behind before high school, it wasn’t. The cliques followed, the hatefulness followed, the complete lack of genuine friendships followed. The apparent inability to bond with my only sibling followed.

I could feel sorry for myself, but instead I’m reminded every day that I have been blessed with friends who love me for me – flaws flaring, bitchiness and ugliness for everyone to see – I have REAL friends.

While they know who they are, I can’t help but say out loud that I couldn’t live without Kerry. KB is my true North, and her daughter and Abby create my happiness. And yes, Felton adds to that, too. I love you Burleighs! You save my life every day just by being there. (Jen, too, couldn't live without you - no doubt).

Thank you for loving me, the friends I often think I don't deserve. I love you all every day of my life!

This post was inspired by a couple of episodes of Grey's Anatomy that were dripping with metaphorical messages that I just couldn't ignore. Yes, it's all stupid and just television, but the producers likely develop story lines based on experienced dramas, so taking notice is somewhat unavoidable.

Tech40 Trail Runner Watch: A Love/Hate Relationship

The Tech⁴0 Accelerator Series Trail Runner Watch with pedometer functioning is genius in theory. Priced between $30-$135 (I believe my particular model is no longer available as I bought it as a closeout sale from the REI outlet) this watch records daily steps taken, calories burned and distance traveled. The watch also includes dual-time features, date stamps, alarm and stopwatch capabilities and an indiglo light.

There is no worry about the positioning of the device in order to yield accurate pedometer results, and from what I can tell, it’s quite accurate to about +/- .04 miles or so.

Love the neutral color. Love the size. Do NOT love the complications, vague customer support and super-short battery life. Their web site stinks.

If you use the pedometer function daily you can expect to replace the battery at least once every two to three months – and the battery replacement is NOT easy. In fact, the stupid manual not only fails to identify the battery required (CR2032), but it also instructs owners to have batteries replaced solely by a licensed store or jeweler.

For normal watches I would be more than willing to take the time to have a jeweler/licensed store replace my watch battery, but this type of watch eats batteries like we breathe air. Therefore, I took it upon myself to force the battery from my watch for replacement (I was CERTAIN I had completely broken it), and while I was at the end of my rapidly fraying rope of frustration, I figured I was only throwing away $40. I did get the watch on close-out at an outlet after all.

The watch is still functioning, but here I introduce super-annoying drawback #2.

Every time you replace the battery the personal information is deleted (height, weight, stride-length for walking and running, time settings [format and dual-time settings], alarm settings, etc.)

If the watch was easy to program I might not care so much, but said programming is both complicated and cumbersome. Maybe I got a lemon, but there is no rhyme or reason to the buttons on my watch. Not to mention that any watch that requires the viewing of online tutorials must be a bit over the top.

I am glad to say that certain features that never worked when I first received the watch now seem to function perfectly. I must've received one that sat on the shelf for quite a while running down that easily drained battery!

I suppose the bottom line is that I'd purchase this watch again, but only if able to find a super-deal similar to the one I got from the REI Outlet. Unless I become a step-by-step/mileage fanatic like both my father and brother, my max offer would be $45. If I recall correctly, I paid about $35, including shipping to my local REI store FREE, for my Tech⁴0 Trail Runner Watch.

Project in progress

The closet office is almost complete (thanks a TON to Jim, my fabulous guardian angel who does so much for me).

Only waiting on a few adornments - I am so pleased with my results. My life feels more organized already!

However, I'm not looking forward to hiring an electrician to provide convenient power with minimal extension cords, and sadly I feel certain that additional complications will arise. Anybody out there have an electrician on speed dial in the Durham area whom they really trust?

I've become torn about home ownership. I love the tax benefits, but I hate the fact that the health of my yard and weed population has been made a top priority. THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE.

SERIOUSLY - MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE.
I have neighbors who are complete NAZIS about dog poop - even when it's in MY yard. In my dreams, I punch those people, repeatedly in the face, especially since I poop scoop 4-6 times a week, and it is MY yard.

I really hate coming across as such a bitter hateful person, but what I hate more are the people who make me this way.

I have a new conviction - I will be a better person no matter what.

Dead like me

Anyone know anything about this show? Like it? Hate it?

I ask because one of my most looney acquaintances mentioned it to me a while back, so when I saw the complete series on sale at Costco yesterday for little more than I spend on dog food, I bought it.

Maybe it's that I'll very shortly finish Ghostgirl - who knows. Maybe I'm just in a Reaper mood. I always did like Beetlejuice!

The online reviews of Dead Like Me are highly favorable. In fact, the only negative review I found was written by someone who didn't realize the Dead Like Me movie was included in the complete series. Therefore, the buyer was just bitter about their own foolish double-purchase of the movie.

By the way, that could fuel a whole other blog post. ie. I don't understand people who write negative reviews for items that aren't based on the quality/content of the actual item. Such negative reviews should be reserved for the sellers of said items, or in the aforementioned case, the buyer who obviously didn't read the fine print. Yada yada.

I'm still knee-deep in Grey's Anatomy, thanks to my dear friend Jen who owns seasons 1-4. Since I've just started season 3 I'm not watching the current season, nor do I know if I'll want to, but I will follow through with the DVDs I can get on loan for free.

I'll start Dead Like Me soon after the GA marathon. If I like it, of course I'll blog about it favorably!

Quote of the day

"Every ship that comes to America got its chart from Columbus."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Boots, Spanish and Dragons, OH MY!

Dinner with the Burleighs last night ended with rubber boot modeling, Spanish lessons with Diego and a book about a bad pet dragon. What girl could ask for more?

Just before her bedtime, Miss almost 2-year-old Sydney was adamant about showing off her yellow rain boots. She tripped and stumbled, but she kept those boots on her tiny feet, smile plastered across her face the whole time.





Then the division of bedtime responsibilities arose and to my delight Felton requested that I watch Diego with him. I tried to take photos of him watching without him noticing, but he's too smart for that. He immediately turned toward me and started saying, "CHEESE!" As an aside, I must mention that for a three-year-old, Felton is quite proficient in the Spanish language.



After Diego I read Felton a story about a pet dragon that eats spaghetti in the bathtub. I found that weird. But I always get a kick out of reading Felton his bedtime stories. One word explains it all: IMAGINATION, and I LOVE that.

Home Improvement task #1 complete

While some touch-up painting to the trim, etc. is likely in order, I consider task #1 completed. The threshold support under my front door is now far more structurally sound, effective and attractive.

I must admit that I find it extremely irritating that ALL of my other doors are constructed with similar supports that haven't deteriorated. So, was it just some slacker jackass that took care of my front door or is there some other random explanation? I'm sure I'll never know, so I'll just have to let it go and be proud of my ability to remedy the situation.

Should there be any interest in how I did this, I've included rough instructions following the photos. The whole job only cost me about $42. Many people probably already own some of the items I had to purchase, so the task is likely a bit less expensive for most. I've included the items needed below with the instructions.

If you eliminate the necessary shopping and the drying time for certain steps in the process, this project only took about 2 1/2 hours to complete.




Items needed:

• 2x4 piece of treated lumber, cut to the size you need

• Sandpaper, 120 and 220. I was lucky enough to have an electric sander. 220 to sand the bare wood, 120 to sand between coats of paint and/or to sand over filled screw holes

• wood filler or spackle

• a decent drill and the following drill bits: 3/16" regular bit; 5/32" x 4 1/2" carbide tipped concrete drill bit (if you're on a slab like me); 1/4" titanium countersink bit

• Concrete anchors, I used (4) 3/16" x 2 3/4" Tapcon brand (not sure what you'd need if not on a slab, but I recommend some kind of anchor in addition to liquid nails if that's what you use)

• Interior/exterior primer; oil or latex base

• Exterior latex paint (I used Valspar premium semi-gloss from Lowes)

• 9" Caulking gun

• DAP Concrete & Mortar Filler & Sealant (not necessary if your foundation is without cracks)

• Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive

• GE Premium Waterproof Silicone Caulk for window/door/attic/basement, Clear, 10 oz


1. After forcefully ripping off the previous support, I took that piece of wood to Lowes to have a new piece of treated lumber cut. I then sanded, primed and painted all sides of the wood. (While many people, including the guy who cut my wood say that painting all sides is unnecessary, I couldn't help but think that by priming and painting all sides, the wood would more likely be thoroughly sealed from the elements).

2. Remove any materials/residue from the original support base. I used my hair dryer to heat the leftover liquid nails residue and an industrial scraper. I used a standard caulk remover tool to remove any extraneous old caulk.

3. I found the previous attachment method asinine. Whoever attached the original support used a tiny amount of liquid nails and then actual nails to attach the support to concrete. The nails were placed only towards the middle of the support board and the liquid nails were applied in much the same way. No wonder the wood separated at the ends! Therefore, I decided to use both concrete anchors (screws) and liquid nails. I drilled holes through my wood piece, evenly placed across the entire support, then lined it up where it was to be placed and drilled through with the concrete bit to make corresponding holes in the concrete. I used the countersink bit to make impressions in the front side of the wood where the anchors would rest.

4. I coated the backside of the piece of wood with generous strips of liquid nails and positioned the wood in place. I then immediately screwed in the anchors, working from side to side to keep the wood even while the liquid nails dried.

5. Once all the anchors were screwed in, I used spackling to cover over the screws. After allowing that to dry, I sanded the entire area and then painted over the entire face of the wood with another coat of exterior latex paint.

6. Following a suitable period of drying time for the paint, I applied clear silicone caulk, using a caulk gun, to seal all gaps. I then used a standard caulk finishing tool to neaten up the edges.

Sharing the sunny spot

Bailey and Zoe enjoying the afternoon sun.

Zoe moved down the hallway throughout the afternoon in search of the sunniest, warmest spot. She started out about 12 feet from the spot pictured below. Per usual, any time I got up from my seat to do anything she'd take notice and follow. Every time I touched her I noticed the warmly baked state of her coat.

Sunny spot circumstances are the only instances when I can count on Zoe not being either right next to me or on top of me. She loves me, but she loves her sunbathing more!

Bailey's location choice is most definitely attributed to the fact that it is A) on a rug as opposed to the hardwood floor; and B) that corner of the rug is in close proximity to two different doorways through which he can exit to relieve himself. As an old boy, proximity to the "bathroom" is key!