Dora The Babysitter

My kids watch television; they watch a lot of cartoons.  We have a TV, but we do not have any outside feed to the "box" like cable, satellite, or internet.  We rely on go "old" VCR tapes (kids ask your parents what those are), and DVDs that are mostly used and abused.  Yes, we are so in the early 90's.  About the time we found out we were expecting kids, we cancelled all outside media except dial-up internet.  We made that very hard decision (at that time) because of financial reasons and we were so busy we didn't get any benefit out of what we were paying for.  We haven't looked back since and I actually enjoy not having to watch a weekly series until 11:00 pm because I am hooked.  My parents have satellite, so we get updated on the major news.  We have upgraded to faster internet so I have certain places that "hook" me (darn that Pinterest) but I try to set a time limit on how much of my time is used searching.  The draw back to not having the immediate feed is I am usually 2 days behind some major news event.  I usually catch the middle of the conversation and feel awkward asking "What happened?", especially if I am not sure it is a celebrity or someone I should know.  We miss any previews to new movies, so I am way behind on inside jokes.  My sister is a movie-aholic (I secretly love it and wouldn't tell her to stop), so she supplies us with a lot of recent movies.  We also get caught up on our families favorite series with the luxury of watching the whole season from start to finish without having to wait until next week.
Yes, my kids also get there morning and, maybe, afternoon programming every day while at the grandparents.  There are some very educational shows that help teach my children, from counting, to letters, math, music, and art.  There is even some eclectic dancing involved if Grandpa is around (Lord help us!).  I was watching "Dora" with my children the other day.  Most people know about Dora and almost any parent could sing the theme, map song, or back-pack jingle.  My brother, a firefighter, gets some strange looks at debriefings when he starts singing the map song.
I was thinking about how Dora is very educational, fun, and energetic.  The episodes really do get the children involved and they then are "hooked".   I caught myself thinking that Dora wouldn't make a very good babysitter and had to laugh.


But seriously, here are my reasons.

1. She repeats every instruction 3 or 4 times.  This is very aggravating for me as a parent.  I think that is why I have developed as stutter.  
2. She never tells her parents or an adult where she is going or who she is with.  That would send me into "mamma-bear" panic mode. 
3. I do not understand everything she is saying.  Ok, I should have a second language, but I don't.  I get really leery about others saying things I can't understand, even mumbling is hard on my emotions.  
4. Her adventures are very dangerous.  She is always walking in some spooky forest, crossing oceans, or climbing high mountains.  Why don't we just tell our children they could sky dive also?



My children being adventurous while watching television.

5. No matter how urgent getting to the destination may be, she always takes a half-an-hour and has many distractions along the way.  I hate when "The Boy" has to fight off Swiper, the fox, on the way to bed.  

I am glad my children are "cultured" even if their dancing style makes me laugh.  Even though they watch TV, they aren't addicted to it.  They can't be because we don't have that option at home.  Sometimes, they just want to imagine and play, and that is great with me.  

Ode To The Veterinary Student's Dog

I will try my best to get through this post.  I had started writing about this topic a while ago so please bare with me if the present and past tense get confusing.  I have to admit it wasn't the next thing I had planned to share, nor did I ever want it to be a somber topic.  But tonight it is...

I have heard it said "don't buy a rental car".  One may think the same about a veterinary student's dog.  Every veterinary student wants to get their "hands-on" experience, and what better way to practice your new skills than with your own pet?  I have to admit that the pets receive great service, whether they needed it or not.  I can tell most clients about my own experience with a treatment or procedure, because I wouldn't recommend anything that I wouldn't do on my own animals.

Begging for food at my
veterinary school graduation

My dog Lucy is getting older and showing her age like most dogs eventually do.  I can't help but reflect on our memories together.  She became a member of my family the moment I got her as a puppy.  At the time, my home was very small and not adequate for a large dog.  But as a veterinary student that learns by visual means, I wanted a visual aid at home that could help me through.  Lucy is an American Bulldog, and boy, was she a great example with her over-sized anatomy.  In school she modeled more like a horse than a dog, and was often referred to as a Simmental because of her white and red markings (or perhaps her manure sized loads).  From the very start, I worked on training her to obey and also to do fun tricks (some unique ones are shake with both paws, speak and whisper, and hold a treat on her nose).  As a puppy, we went to an obedience class.  After a few weeks on leash, we spent one day off leash working on her recall.  The busy pet store had many distractions but that didn't seem to bother her.  With Lucy on one end and I on the other, I was doubtful she would make it past the treats, toys, and other people that made the gauntlet between us.  When I said "come", she was so food-driven that she blew past everyone, T-boned another dog, and was at my side in seconds.  My doubt was erased and food became her motivator.

She is horrible around other animals, cats better learn to fend for themselves.  Which made her meeting with a skunk 4 years ago very interesting.  She didn't back down and her white fur was soaked and dripping with yellow liquid.  You can imagine the smell!  For those of you who may only catch a whiff along the road occasionally let me educate you.  The smell of a skunk up close is distinctly different, it affects your entire body system.  All your senses are on overload.  Your eyes water, your mouth foams, and your stomach turns.  When Lucy was hit, I was 14 weeks pregnant and had morning sickness.  No matter how well you clean them up, or what product you use, they will start to smell again if their hair ever gets wet.  She stunk like skunk for at least 6 month after that episode.

Lucy adjusted very well to every circumstance.  Sometimes there was 12-14 hours before I could get back to the house during school to let her out.  She loved to play, yet would never beg for attention when I was busy studying.  She made her home out of my bed during the day, but knew to stay off when I was around.  She learned to be leery of strangers and makes a great guard dog, even though we haven't had to test her ability.  I would always tell new people, "she hasn't bitten anyone, yet."  She is AMAZING with my small children.  My kids can crawl all over her, pull her tail and ears, hit her hard, fall on her, and even "ride her" and she just loves every minute.  The Girl who is just learning to talk knows "oo-c-ee".

Every veterinary student can tell you about some "experiment" they have tried on their
own animals.  We tend to attract the troubled cases, or maybe we just fall in love with them.  Between the allergies, urinary incontinence, broken teeth, rattlesnake bite,  severed cephalic vein, and torn cruciate, I have "practiced" a few things.  But Lucy's last problem I couldn't fix.  I have all the books, knowledge, and medicine to save animals, but tonight she couldn't be saved.  The hardest, but sometime the best. service we can provide is ending the suffering.  I told you it would be a somber topic, but my joy is knowing that I did my very best for her (Lucy) and she did the same for me.

Hands Free

My work truck was recently upgraded to the newest model.  I spend a lot of time traveling to very remote, non-accessible areas of the country and a dependable vehicle is a must.  Apparently modern upgrades do not come simple.  There are so many gadgets, buttons, and accessories that come "included".  The accessories are there to help you drive "hands free" but have the most modern conveniences in the vehicle with you.  Every new vehicle I have driven (which is 2) includes 6 months trial period of satellite radio.  For about 6 months I enjoy the luxury of more than just the 2 country radio stations that I normally receive.  There are over 150 music and talk radio shows to choose from.  I usually spend my time on the Comedy, Christian, or Country stations.

Paved Road!!!
I do not see that often when driving, usually it is gravel.  

Other features included are designed to make answering or making phone call safe.  This would be excellent if I had service everywhere I travel.  My truck will link to my cell phone via Bluetooth.  This was a new concept to me, talking to myself while driving and actually having someone listen or answer back.  I occasionally yell at my truck when the commands are not followed.  "I SAID CALL DUSTIN'S MOBILE".  I am sure other vehicles passing me have a great laugh at the expense of some idiot (me) talking while driving.  My children love to scream at the pickup while I am talking to someone.  Leaving messages for others is interesting as I try to talk with The Boy yelling "Where are you?  Are you talking to me?  Why can't I see you?  Come inside."

 There is one feature that is very nice about the cell phone hands free option.  It will automatically connect to my phone when the vehicle is on and the phone is in close proximity.  I have started my vehicle a couple time just to FIND my phone.  When I see the "connection complete" signal, I know the phone must be on me or in my stuff, somewhere.  I did find out the hard way, that you can't answer your phone if it rings and you are not in the vehicle.  I left my truck running while going to pick up my children when a call came.  I had the phone, which rang like normal, but since I wasn't in the vehicle to hear or speak into the microphone, the call didn't work.  Another mishap was when I started my truck and the "connection complete" signal came on, but I still couldn't find my phone.  I searched all over and eventually found the phone.  It wasn't in the vehicle with me, but instead in the building but close to the corner where my pickup was parked.  I am sure it would have been a sight watching my truck going back and forth as I tried to find the distance where I lost the "connection".
Wouldn't it be nice if other things in life were hands free.  I could really see a value in utilizing this at work.  For instance, hands free toe nail trims would let me keep my fingers safe from biting Chihuahuas.  Also hands free anal gland expressions on dogs would be a lot more pleasant.  (Does that sound too weird? OK moving on)  The truck could be hands free in separating my fighting children.  My minimum request would be an option to count how many cattle guards I have passed while getting to my new country job.
It is great knowing that we have a hands free option when talking to God.  We don't have to wait for the "connection" signal and there isn't a required distance we must get to before he will connect to where we are, he's always there and listening.