Pictures from the surgery

So lets start with a picture of a sleeping Purrball taken while Byron was at the Vets. She enjoyed having the couch almost all to her self

This is Byron when he got back to the house yesterday, He so does not enjoy wearing the collar. His good ear was pinned in the collar so I loosened it enough so it was free.

It took him a while to figure out that he could not just walk around the house. 

Right now he is laying on the floor, he sleeps a little then wakes up, rearranges himself and goes to sleep again. I had to lift him up on the couch yesterday and put him on the bed with me last night.  He has not eaten much, and in my personal experience the day after a major surgery is a rest day, more than a food day.

Byron has had quite the week

Monday

Byron's ear has been bugging him, for a couple of days, I have been keeping an eye on it, cleaning it when he lets me touch it. Today when I woke up I realized the infection had gotten so bad that he could no longer hold up his ear. I left a teary eyed message for the vet this morning, Telling the answering service about his ear, and my inability to pay for any treatment. I waited for about an hour for the vet to call back and when she did not, I called T. After talking with him for a bit I concluded that there was no way I could care for this myself. I started to call the local free clinic Merwin when my vets office called me back. The office manager let me know that if I needed to she would hold a check for a few days and not cash it until I had my disability check cashed.

Tuesday

Poor little guy is not in a lot of pain, as long as he does not scratch his ear. The vet game me some medications for him, a calming topical spray to help him stop chewing on his hot spots. His surgery is scheduled for Friday. Talked to the doctor and the office manager, they are going to work out a payment plan for me. They gave me an estimate for how much the surgery would cost, best case 600 and change, worst case as much as 900 or even a thousand.

The allowed me to post date a check till my social security disability comes in next week! Then on Friday while Byron is under the knife I will sit down with the office manager and try to plan out a payment plan.

So since I am already in depressed, I figure I would watch a little bit of Animal Cops Houston. Much the same way I watch Hoarders to remind me I am a collector. I am watching Animal Cops to remind me that I don't neglect Byron. Just watched an episode where they rescued a horse that had fallen into a muddy brook. It felt good to watch a horse get saved.

While I was at the vets, the Bruins lost. So every thing is just turning out swell.

Wednesday

On Monday Bryon had a sore ear, it was not hanging right, and I noticed it was swollen at the base. I managed to get in to see his Vet. She took a look and did some blood work. She said that while it looked to be an Aural Hematoma and we should schedule surgery to remove it. There was no major issue so he could wait a few days and have the surgery on Friday.

Then yesterday happened. Byron had trouble walking, his ear had doubled in size. He spent most of the day hiding under the bed and growling at any one who came near. That is so not Byron behavior, so I called the doctor back. She suggested I bring him in this morning and they would take a second look at the ear. Both Monday and today she apologized for making me wait, I smiled and said "You are squeezing me in on a busy office day" I am just so grateful you have been able to squeeze me in. So Byron is there and I am here. This apartment feels so empty.

I sat in the parking lot for a few minutes looking through my purse for change. I had almost no gas and I was hoping that with the help of my Stop and Shop discount I could get a couple of dollars of gas. I had 4 dollars in quarters and ten dimes and a five dollar bill, so I figured I could get at least ten dollars in gas. I brought the change into the Shell station and counted it out for the clerk, he asked me if I had any other coins because they were short on coins. I pulled out my coin purse and dumped out all my pennies. I had almost two dollars in pennies, then the clerk took the Stop and Shop discount and I got one dollar and twenty cents, which I turned back in more gas. After all our high finance I went out and put the nozzle in my car. I figured that after all that money passing hands I was going to get 11 dollars and 60 cents in gas. Then I got 12 dollars in gas. The clerk had added the money in to make 12 dollars. Which is super sweet!!! So now instead of driving on fumes, I have almost a half tank of gas.

Readercon day 2

I brought the little laptop with me to Readercon this morning, I powered her up, and got the blue screen of death!!! Never had the time to figure out what went wrong. I will deal with that problem next week.

Spent most of the convention working the Green Room. I love being in the Green Room, it does not involve a lot of moving around, and Byron can usually just curl up in a corner or under the table and sleep. Kind of surprised I took very few pictures of people with Byron today, I guess we were just that busy. He loves seeing the kids come in to pet him. Since he is laying down while I am there I consider him to be not working. In Byron's case he is always working! Even at a 2am when I am asleep he is working to keep me alive!


Went to two panels today, spent just over 8 hours working in the Green Room. I started serving people their hot drinks, because it was the easiest way to find out when we needed more coffee or cups.

Had a couple of hotel staff tell me that the hotel did not allow pets. I was for the most part able to smile and say he was a service dog. Mostly, but by this evening I was getting real tired of it. I was sitting with some friends on the 6th floor and one of the hotel staffers walked down the hallway a good three times before telling me the hotel did not allow pets. I smiled and held my tongue, but said he is a service dog. I think I might have to mention something to the Con Com. After last year they put the service dog notice right in to the hotel contract! But some how the word has not filtered down to the minions. So every time the shift changed I had to have the very same conversation.

I think perhaps I should leave a picture of him with the hotel front desk and ask them to put it by the time clock. That way when they walk down the hall and see Byron they will know he is a SERVICE DOG and not to bother us.

Grabbed a few new books, not fiction, but short humorous essays. A new paper back edited by Bill Fawcett How to loose the Civil War, and a series by John Grant "Discarded Science" "Corrupted Science" and "Bogus Science" I'll read those right after I finish Civil War, which will be in about 30 minutes.

Byron saved my life last night

I was sound asleep and it was around 2am. Byron started jumping on the bed, barking at me and pulling at my shirt. As I woke up I realized I was about to throw up! Not something you want to do while asleep. I have no clue how he knew, it is something we never trained for, he just KNEW! I rushed into the bathroom and well you know.

All the time, from the moment I jumped out of bed until I returned to bed. Byron stuck by me! He could not do any thing more than he already did, but wow he had already done so much.

Today is going to be a clean the apartment day, bring boxes back to storage doing dishes and laundry. I need a quiet day after yesterday.

WBUR Spring Festival

Byron and I went to the WBUR Spring Festival I was looking forward to a fun day and the event did not disappoint. The station gave out free t-shirts; well since you had to pay to get in, I guess they were part of the price of admission. Several local companies who purchase sponsorships on WBUR were there handing out samples of their food. There were two different companies selling baked goods, one sold bread the other pastry. They looked great, but I had to stay away from both places. The pastry group only brought one kind of pastry, the one covered with almonds and made with marzipan. The bread people had one bread with almonds, but had used the very same knife to cut each loaf. Happily the sherbert and ice cream were nut free! The flat bread pizza was delicious, and I got a chicken & cheese piece for Byron to snack on.

It was hot in the sun, and after a while Byron and I sat by in the Community Rowing building. It was out of the sun and felt much cooler. We listened to Livingston Taylor sing and he made several small friends. They had a guy making balloon animals for kids, which I kept Byron away from. He does not like balloons at all. When we were sitting, a few people who had balloons let the balloons touch the ground where the cement was in the sun and warm. Byron just about jumped out of his skin. It took a while to calm him down. When the event ended he was more than ready to head home.

I posted all the pictures I took on Byron's face book page Byron at Spring Festival We got to meet several of the radio hosts. The Car Talk guys were there, and the pictures I got of the two of them with Byron are precious!

We had jury duty today

Yes I say we, since both of us went. Got up early for anyone, at 6:30am. Put together a briefcase of me and Byron supplies treats for him snacks and medications for me. With the net book and cord the bag was quite heavy. I put Bryon's vest on as we went into the train station. He got a bit startled at the gate, I don't think he liked the swoosh of air. He went down the steps pausing at every other step so I did not get unbalanced. When we got onto the train I went to the front seats and sat at the end. I would have loved to use the single handicap seat, but some guy in a suit was sitting there and would not move. Jerk...

When we got out I started to walk in what I thought was the correct direction, but I quickly got disoriented. I pulled out the summons letter and a woman stopped and asked me if I was trying to find the Suffolk Court house. I was, and she worked there so she led me not just to the building, but to the elevator! So sweet, opening doors for us and every thing. I wish I had gotten her name.

I went in and handed the court officer my juror information. I answered the questions honestly, telling them reasons I felt I would not be able to serve on a jury. You know, the medical issues, the education and all. I was already starting to hurt, I had skipped taking my flexaril and tramadol so by 10 am I was a jittery twitching mess. The judge came in to swear us in, and Byron stood up with every one else. It made me and the people sitting near me giggle. Then he just curled up and went into half sleep mode.

We got called to be interviewed for a trial. I was asked what I needed the service dog for (the judge wanted to know) When it was my turn to be interviewed I was honest, telling the judge, lawyers and the defendant about my medial issues. Byron of course came up with me, and when he heard the judge talking he got up on his hind legs so he could see her. Gosh I wish I had someone snap a picture. I let her know that I would normally have taken medications that would have reduced the twitching and pain level, but that I felt it was unfair to the defendant for me to be on medication that would effect my memory and attention span. I did say I was willing to shift my medical schedule a little bit, that is skipping muscle relaxers and pain meds during the trial. She then asked about Byron and what he would do if I was having a problem. I told her he would first alert me by placing a paw on my arm or leg, then if I did not respond he would bark three times. Other than that I said he would just curl up under my chair and fall asleep.

I went back to stand with the court officer while the lawyers and judge discussed my ability to serve. Then the judge called me back and said that while they all admired my willingness to arrange my medications around the needs of the trial she was just not certain it would be in my best interest. After that they decided that I would be excused from jury duty.

I thought I would have to go back to the jury pool, but the judge told me I could go home. So out of the Court house we went. I did not need to hear that twice. It was just before noon when we got out and I could not decide if I wanted to go back on the T and head home, or grab a bit to eat where I was. I decided to go to the Salty Dog and have a sandwich and some ice tea. I wanted to sit on the patio, and the hostess said she would open the chain so Byron could walk around. I nicely pointed out his service vest, and we were escorted to our seats. The waitress was super nice too. I wanted an ice tea, but I was having trouble holding things at that point, I asked her if they had something plastic for me to hold for fear I would drop the glass. She searched around and in the end brought me one of their take out soup containers with a hold punched in it for a straw. I was so pleased it felt safer to me. The turkey club was delicious, Byron got a big bowl of water and a bit of kibble.




We left intent on heading back to the train station, first I tried to get a picture of him with the statue of Mayor White. There was no one around so I did the best I could holding the camera up at an angle.  Then I saw these two woman

After that, we went to back up the steps to Government Center  and headed for the blue line platform. He was a bit startled when the train pulled in, but managed to get on the train quickly enough. He gets a bit spooked by the gap between the train and boarding platform. The single handicap seat was open and I went right to it. During the ride someone tried to get Byron to come closer so they could pet him. He just turned his back and continued to support me. He does not like how the train makes him slide around a bit, so he presses up against me.

Once we got out of the station I took his service dog vest off. He was so happy, he rolled in the grass just for the fun of rolling. Now I think I just might go take a nap, Byron already is. 

Byron is a better person than I am

One of our neighbors is moving from the third floor to the seventh floor. I thought he was getting help, but he was not. Byron must have heard him trying to move his couch on his own, because he went to our front door and barked to go out. I grabbed my keys and his leash and let him out the door. He likes to run down the hall.

Anyway, he ran as far as our neighbors door. And not further. I offered to help him move the furniture to his new apartment. Byron got comfy on the bench and waited for us to bring a few large pieces up. His wife got in the elevator to bring up a few smaller things, and he got in the elevator with her. When we came out of the new apartment he was there waiting for us. So cute <3

They wanted to rest for a bit, so I put Byron's leash on and walked over to the elevator. He had other ideas, he wanted to go back home jump back on the bed and go to sleep. He did not need to go out, he needed ME to go help our neighbors!

So I guess my dog is a better person than I am.

Happy get day to Byron and me!

Happy Get day to ME! On this day in 2002 I meet Byron for the first time!! He did not become truly mine until April of 2002. But today, today was the very first day I laid eyes on him. He pulled my coat off the coat rack, dragged it over to my briefcase and fell asleep. He knew then and there he and I were destined for each other.

I got him a big bone for his get day. He does not understand it as a special day. He just loves getting treats. I had a great picture Nightwing sent me of him just a day after they got him. He was so skinny, tiny and a bit skittish. Nothing like the healthy happy mega cool character he is today.
Haopp

The many ways Byron takes care of me

Did not have the best night of sleep. Twisted and turned never got comfortable. When the alarm went off this morning at 8 I did not want to get up. Byron knew that I had to get up and take my medications. So he barked, and pulled the covers off of me. When that did not work he some how got the cat to start poking at me. Just after 9 am I figured they were not going to give up and I got out of bed. I fed the cat, fed Byron and took my medications. They were both happy and let me sit for a while. Sneaky dog, getting the cat to help.

Kind of sat around a bit brain dead in the morning. I know I have a bunch of stuff to do, I just did not have the energy to do it. Went back to bed at noon, Byron and Purrball curled up around me.

Byron woke me up at 4 realizing that I needed to be up at least some of the day. It's to late to do some of the things I wanted to do, like pay for my car insurance. The rest of it I can really do online.

Still feeling in a bit of pain, I think I am already feeling the change in weather patterns. Got this stabbing pain in my legs that feels like my legs are being sawed off. T wants me to come over tonight as it's the first neighborhood crime after his father's death. I should go, but man I so don't want to.

It's Byron's world I just stumble through it.

I did not sleep well last night. Kept waking up needed to move the sheet and comforter around. Just laying back staring at the ceiling. Byron decided at 10am that he had waited as long as he could, and he demanded I get up NOW! I usually sleep nude, ya get that picture out of your heads. Even though I only wrote the words the image is still in your heads. Bawwwja

First thing I needed was clean underwear, so in the semi dark I grabbed the first underwear shaped item. I tried to put them on, and could only find two asymmetrical holes. I am sure there was a third hole, and I just could not find it. I pulled them on and realized where the third hole had hidden. Byron was getting more and more aggravated. I yanked them down and grabbed a pair of pants. Yes just for my dog I was willing to do the underwear less walk of shame out of my own apartment.

Now through all this, it was raining. Not a lot, but enough that some one walking outside would get very wet.

I grabbed a T-shirt on old one that some how had gotten smaller since I last remember wearing it. Shrugged it on and grabbed my keys and a doggie bag. When I opened the apartment door Byron bolted toward the elevator. I caught up with him, and clicked on his leash. Pushed the elevator button and watched Byron bounce up and down, like a small recently potty trained child who has figured out the process but still has not mastered the lead time between want to pee and have to pee!

We got out of the elevator and rushed to the front door.

Where we stopped dead...


It was raining, as I had told Byron more than once while we were upstairs. It was not until the reality of getting wet set in that Byron rethought the peeing concept. He went from NEED to pee right now to, ah I can hold it for a while. Do what you were going to do.

Brought him back upstairs, and finally got a chance to master the art of underwear, grabbed my morning slim-fast! coffee shake - don't judge me, pulling back a soda tab is about the only thing I can master some days.

Got my morning medications down, and flipped on the radio so I could listen to NPR. Not to some how find the spoons to do something other than sit in a chair and listen to the radio. Maybe that in and of itself will be today's goal.


GGGGOOOOAAAALLLL

Lord Byron is and Lord Byron will be popular in Korea

Took Byron for his was a little later than normal today.  I had been on the phone with T for almost two hours, and wanted to get over to CVS to pick up my medication.  Byron was willing to wait for that, but as soon as I walked in he started the pee pee dance.  Something about me walking in the door with a DD ice coffee makes him think bathroom.  So while my Wally the Green Monster coolatta is now a cold green cool-aid. Byron is feeling pretty happy.

I figured it was late and the weather was crappy so I left the camera behind. I started to regret that pretty quickly.  The park was full of people, including the first burka wearing woman I have ever seen on the beach.  Man all I could think of was how hot that outfit looked.  She was walking behind a guy who was wearing a mesh t-shirt, baggy shorts and flip flops. She was looking at his feet, saying not a words and almost sliding her black shoe, black sock completely covered body along the sidewalk.  The only word that came to mind was minion. He never even looked back to make sure she was keeping up. He would walk faster and she had to start shuffling faster to keep up. 

I was sweltering in jean short and a t-shirt. I could see a lot of people wince as they walked by. It was like we were watching a parent abuse a child, but could not step in to rescue her.

But, now to the real reason you read this blog. Byron news.

Okay so after we saw the twosome above walk by.  There was a tour bus at the beach.  A bus load of Korean tourists were looking at the sand castles and taking pictures of each other besides the Revere Beach sign.  Then three young woman (I'm guessing collage age) saw Byron.  They squeeed in joy.  Running over to pet him, and take their picture with him.  Like I said, wish I had  brought the camera because I could have made an entire new face book album just of the new friends he meet today.   I asked where they were from, which is how I discovered they were from Korea.  I explained Byron's breed  Keeshound and his name, after  Lord Byron   I ended up just sitting on a bench with Byron while person after person sat on the other side of him.  It must be what life is like if your Lindsey Lohan's handler. I doubt I will be much more than a hand resting on Lord Byron's butt in the scrapbooks of their Boston vacation. 

And I'm as giddy as a little kid myself, because for the first time in a long while CVS had the one and a half pound bag of flavor mix tootsie rolls.  I'm a sucker for flavored  tootsie rolls.

Warning severe weather alert - possible tornado

Tornado alert really a tornado alert.

Well I got my ruby slippers. But Byron is not so sure he would like to take a ride today.

One of the side benefits of having tiny feet is I can wear size 4 1/2 girls shoes.  Down side, nobody makes fuck me heels in size 4 1/2.   Just for the record yes I own a gingham dress. My parents have an odd sense of humor.

Does it show??

Byron passed his service dog test

Ya Byron, he passed his service dog test. His vest arrived in the mail today!

Back to packing the car, more later promise

Today is Byron's GET DAY.

One December 26th 2001 (my x husband's birthday) Byron was found roaming around New York City all on his own.

He was taken by New York City Animal Control to the shelter and kept their until January 25th 2002, when he was taken by Keeshound rescue and brought to the house of my Friends Beldon and Nightwing.   They kept him until mid April when they realized they could not longer keep him with their older male.

I asked if I could have him, and they were kind enough to let me become his mom.  Since he came into my life so much has changed, but one thing has remained the same.  Him.

I don't know what I would do without Byron, he is the greatest gift anyone has even given me.   Since he was at least 8 months old when he was found that means he was born some time in 2001.  Since I don't know when he was born, I celebrate tomorrow as his 'get day'

So happy GET DAY Byron.


Meanwhile I am watching Dr. Dolittle. I had forgotten just how bad a movie it was it is a movie so bad it's turns round and becomes good again.  The photography is amazing, The story total fantasy and a very silly fun ride.  The movie has it's problems, to many to name, but it is fun.  I have a new channel on Comcast, Retroplex which shows old movies, without a single commercial break.  It's addicting in a silly cheesy way. 

Well happy get day Byron.

Update on the doggies.

The dogs were nutty today, they were full of activity. Watched Drumsticks tail arch a bit and him start to rub his penis and underbelly on the ground. That was a signal that he was starting to hurt and I picked him up and took him outside. He started dropping over sized Hershey kisses worth of poo. I could see that he was in pain and that as he emptied himself of pee and poo that the pain dropped some. I have him a baby aspirin to help with the pain, he is resting now. I bought a couple of small cans of the new Newman's own dog food. I have been putting the pills in the dog food last night and today. He ate them right up. So much easier to give a beagle pills, than a keeshound.

Pain level at about a 6. Not fair world, not fair.


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If I had more energy I would start a new blog. I have been thinking about doing a blog that compaires the prices at K-Mart, Target, Kohls, and Wal-mart to see which store really has the lowest prices. When I have done comparison shopping I find that K-Mart, Target, and Kohls sell the same product, while Wal-Mart sells some thing that is slightly different. Like a blender with not as many features, or does not last as long.

But the blog I have in mind is not something I am able to do right now.

Stopped at the pet store today to purchase feeder mice for the dragons. I have gotten into the habit of getting Byron a kong and filling it with goodies. Since I have kosh this weekend, I grabbed a second kong and filled it with goodies for him. He looked at me and then the kong, unsure what to do. When I finished with the dragons I sat down to watch the game. He brought the kong over to me as if he was unsure what to do.

I shook it and a treat fell out. He did not quite get the hint, and Byron, having finished his, made a grab for it. I refilled Byron's and let Kosh continue to sniff his. Finally he got a second treat out, and then a third. He is licking the outside now, and sniffing at the end. I am not sure if he emptied out the kong or not.

kong toys

But the very best part of giving the two of them kongs, now they both have full bellies and are ready to fall asleep.

Paying for yesterday today.

I don't think that is exactly what pay it forward means. But today is a pay for yesterday day. I am stiff and sore, quite twitchie, as my brain struggles with my un responsive body to follow simple orders. My fingers want to curl up into little balls, my body wants to crash. I am forcing my body to do things it does not want to do.

If the mirror on my wall is any indication, my face shows it.

Two of my tropical fish died today, I can't hold on to the net to get them out of the tank. Nor can I do any of the things tropical fish owner should do for her friends. Sigh.

I think I shall curl up on the couch, find a good movie to watch and eat a few holiday cookies. At least the dog calmed down. He was running around the house earlier, begging for a walk. Now he is stretched out at my feet, looking for all the world like an angelic Keeshond should. Not that I believe him for a minute