9 September

The Sun video

by Jon Katz
The Sun Video

Frieda basking in the sun.

I did a rain video the other day when it was pouring, so today I decided to do a sun video, when the sun finally appeared. Followed some of the same old steps and added some new ones. I caught Ben Osterhaudt finishing up the ramp on the Pig Barn Art Gallery and the chickens waddling around the the dogs walking on the path. Nice to be walking around the farm today. Tomorrow, I’m resuming my walks with Simon. Two asses on the road.

Come and see the sun re-appearing on Bedlam Farm.

9 September

Thinking of Rose: Back At Work. Calling All Crises

by Jon Katz
Rose: Back At Work

After I saw Rose fall down in the pasture, I got her into the house and prepared to go to the vet. I was about to put up a photo of her stricken and to write that I wasn’t sure if she would make it or not. A voice in my head cautioned me in these words: “be careful. Don’t make this – Rose’s suffering – a drama. The world is waiting for dramas, and dramas and tragedies are the currency of the times. Don’t make another one. Don’t treat her differently than you would treat yourself.” And I didn’t put up the photo. I came home from the vet with hundreds of dollars of pills and bags and vials and all kinds of instructions. This morning, it was wrenching to see Rose sitting on the porch alone (below) looking out at the sheep.

Why, I wondered, am I doing to her what I am not doing to me? Why subjecting her to inconclusive tests, lots of medications and more tests. When I got home there were hundreds of messages pouring in about her. Is Rose okay? People offer their own diagnoses, prescriptions, remedies and concerns. I was reminded of all these messages that came to me when during Irene, where I had unconsciously generated another crisis, another sense of alarm. And also of Simon, when I decided to stop referring to his rescue, stop monitoring his health every day, stop presenting him as a rolling drama, and simply let him move forward with his life. He does not need to be in crisis.

And I think I do this, without thinking, sent out signals of crisis and alarm, like many of us do, because that is our national currency these days, and then foolishly, wonder why there is all this alarm. I am doing it much less, and not liking it when I do it. And the Rose issue has crystallized this for me, yet again.

I thought Rose needed to retire, the vet suggested much rest. But I’m not putting Rose in that place of crisis and drama (and I do appreciate the concern, none of this is meant to belittle it), not making those assumptions, not tossing her into a system I don’t want to join myself. Our world is drowning in tragedy, drama and alarm, and I want my life and my life with animals to be different. That, for me, is the spiritual path.The air is filled with people trading stories of complaint, suffering, tragedy and alarm. I don’t want to be there.

Are there times to go to doctors? Sure. Are there things they can help with? Absolutely. And things they can’t.

This morning I took Rose out with the sheep (above). She was eager to go, and  went up and moved a couple around. She moved more slowly than usual and more carefully. I let her work a few minutes, and then brought her back into the house. She’s been resting, sitting on the porch.

I’m not retiring her, or seeing her as sick. I’ll give her the prescribed medications, and then see how nature works.  I doubt we will go back for more tests and more pills. I love my vet, but vets are often like human doctors – they rarely say they don’t know, or let nature take it’s course, and you rarely leave without pills and diagnoses and the prospect of more tests. I think not. Not for me, not for my dog.

And I will remind myself not to make Rose’s life into a crisis, giving out bulletins about her health, putting all that human health stuff on a dog whose life is characterized by dignity and independence.

I write a lot about the Fear Machine. I love my vet, but I don’t think they know why Rose collapsed, and sometimes things are dramas, and sometimes they are just life. I won’t pigeonhole her And I won’t have her staggering  around, disoriented and having accidents all over the place because of medications.  I will give her the same respect and dignity I want for herself and together, we will do what is comfortable. If  had to guess, my diagnosis would be that Rose has been banged around quite a bit, and her legs are stiff and sore, as happens to older working dogs. She needs to slow down.

That isn’t a crisis. It’s life.

 

Rose: A Sick Dog
9 September

Re-Union: Simon and Animal Control

by Jon Katz
Simon and Jessica

Simon and I both owe a great deal to Jessica Barrett a person I much admire. She is the Animal Control Officer who, with the State Police, pulled Simon off of the farm where he was starving and brought him to me. She saved Simon’s life, not to mention bringing me a great gift. And a book. She came by with her daughter Meredith and a friend’s baby  to check on him today and said she couldn’t believe it was the same animal she found that night. He seemed to remember her as well.

I will always be grateful to her for the wonderful work she does. She also rescued the Chocolate Lab I wrote about who had been left behind in a residence when the people moved. Jessica has happily also agreed to help take care of Simon and the dogs and other animals when Maria and I travel. A great thing for us and for them. You couldn’t find anyone better.

9 September

Video: Simon Brays (Loudly). Two Asses On The Road

by Jon Katz
Two Asses On The Road

Simon was in rare form this morning, bray-wise, and so were Lulu and Fanny. This morning, I heard him calling out for the sun, for Rose, for all the people struggling with flooding in Vermont and elsewhere, for the “Going Home” video and my new book, and for the possibilities in life, which he is acutely aware of. Winston joined in and Rose was back in her familiar spot in the dog fence.

I am writing up a storm this morning, and waiting for the sun to come out. Simon says good morning to all of you and points out that life is what you make of it. Yes, he says, even “in this economy.”

Simon definitely got it going this morning, and he may do the same for you. Come and see.

9 September

“Going Home” A new connection

by Jon Katz
"Going Home: Day Two"

When I started the “Going Home” video, I had a number of ideas about it. I wanted to give people who had lost animals a voice and opportunity to share their stories. I wanted to call attention to my new book, “Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die.” And I wanted to further explore my idea that new technologies like the blog and Facebook and video are giving writers and readers an opportunity to connect in different ways, to collaborate in different ways. Writers can no longer hole up in their studies and hope the world will find their work. And they no longer have to.

Yesterday, I posted “Going Home” and by late afternoon, there were nearly 2,000 views on YouTube. I expect there will be many more, and the response to the video has been heartwarming, to say the least. It was a good idea, and I am fortunate that my agent and publisher supported it so strongly. Other writers are not so lucky. I am taking the video on the book tour with me and hope to show it around the country and the “Going Home” page will stay up on Facebook, a permanent opportunity for people to share their love of animals, living and dead, and to draw comfort and sympathy from other people. This video was a labor of love for me, and nothing made it more so than hearing my voice over the beautiful images of your animals. What a collaboration. Thank you. You have given me a great gift.

 

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