Friday, October 12, 2012.  Tempus fugit.  We are hair straight back into wood-getting mode.  Yesterday was a full day travelling to Prince George (approximately 3 hours from home) for an MRI for me, a bit of shopping and lunch, then the drive home. 

The MRI went well.  I was concerned after the last one I had as I was not prepared for the tight quarters of the machine.  I am not normally claustrophobic, but it was truly like being in a coffin.  This time the technician put me in feet first so my head was closer to the opening, plus she gave me a cloth to put over my eyes.  That worked like magic.  They also give you headphones through which they pipe the music of your choice and through which they communicate with you.  The first process took approximately 15 minutes after which dye was injected into my vein, followed by another approximately 5 minutes of more imaging.  The dye helps contrast the scar tissue from the regular tissue.  It was a much better experience than the first time, so if I have to go again I won't be dreading it.

For those who don't know, I suffered a ruptured and broken disc in my back 2 years ago.  I had surgery the following January to remove the piece of disc that was pressing on the nerve which gave feeling and strength to my left leg.  The leg is still numb from the knee to the ankle and still very weak.  Of late I have suffered a lot of pain in the back and weakness in my right leg.  The MRI will show whether or not scar tissue is playing a role in this problem.  I hope the doctor will also come up with a solution.

Amigo, the big maremma pup we are fostering, was neutered on Wednesday.  He is doing well.  He will soon be off to a new home once I am satisfied he is healthy and ready to go.  I will miss him as he is a very loving, gentle, happy dog. 

Yesterday, while we were in Prince George, we had Bella, my son's akita, in a kennel out back.  It is a very large fenced area complete with shelters and water.  The fence is about 7 feet high.  When we arrived home Bella was outside the kennel with her paw stuck in her collar.  She is wearing a martingale collar, which is a flat nylon collar joined with chain, allowing you to tighten the collar somewhat like a choke chain, but limiting the amount of "choke."  It will not break free from pressure, thus poor Bella was caught for who knows how long.  I am thinking she tried to escape the kennel and in so doing caught her foot in her collar.  There was no way she would have ever been able to get her foot free without help as both her pad and claw were caught in the chain.  A lesson for everyone:  ALWAYS remove collars when leaving the dog unattended.  Always!  I knew this and am ashamed to admit I made this mistake.  My dogs never wear their collars unless we are travelling, going to the vet or doing activity requiring a leash.  This is a huge reminder and could have ended up tragically as Bella could have struggled and fought and choked herself to death.  She could have easily caught the collar on the fence when she tried to escape, and hung herself.  So anyone with dogs, please remember this.  Do not leave your dog with a collar on, unattended.  Ever.

Speaking of dogs, I had better get out there.  Time to exercise Amigo for the first time since his operation.  I put the border collies away and allow Amigo and Bella to play together without the border collies trying to organize them.  Sometimes border collies can be the fun police and end up causing fights. 

Dennis is out getting wood on his own.  I offered to come along but he refused my help.  I did help him the other day, and probably mentioned a couple of times how hot it was, which it was!  Now he thinks he should do it alone.  Sheesh.  Well, I have no recent pictures so here is one from a few years ago.  Actually, nothing has changed except I'm older and fatter!

 

 

Ok, I guess a bit has changed - Jenny, the white border collie, has passed on.  And the truck has a lot more dents in it!  You'll have to ask Dennis about that.
Ok, time to get outside.  We had a much needed rain last night so it's time for toques and Bogs!