27 October

Fate And The Vet: Kiss And Make-Up

by Jon Katz
Kiss And Make Up

Fate used to love going to the vet, but she’s too smart a dog to love it for too long. She got a bunch of needles and blood drawn – a new Lyme disease shot and some heart worm tests.

She offered Fate a treat as a make-up and they were friends again.

Heart worm used to be rare up here, but it is more common since so many rescue dogs began coming up from the South. I’ve had one dog with heartworm,and I don’t wish to repeat the experience.

I always squawk about the tests and the pills, but Dr. Fariello tells me I need to do it, and we have been through many dramas together, I trust her completely. I can talk to her openly and easily.

Gus is being neutered on November 2, and her clinic charges $400 plus for the procedure, it is more than many clinics charge. I asked her why and she explained that her surgeries take more time than usual, involve at least two people the entire time – her and a tech – and they don’t leave the dogs alone until it is done.

She doesn’t want to do back to back surgeries, as some clinics do. She wants to do it her way, carefully and cautiously, with the dog getting their full attention. I guess I like the sound of that, even though the lesser bill is tempting.

She has some other good explanations, but they are technical and I don’t remember them. She has my complete trust and confidence – and friendship as well. We had a long talk about the emotionalizing of dogs and the role veterinarians play in dealing with the emotions of people.

She pointed out that Fate has changed and matured, and I can see this is so. Sometimes, when you live with a dog every day, it’s easy to miss these signs and symptoms. She sleeps downstairs at night these days, mostly by herself, she is calmer and more focused.

She is no longer puppy-like, really, although she is quite beautiful and alert. She listens to every conversation as if all of them are directed at her, and she loves playing with Gus, who loves playing with her.

I loved the photo, it was kind of Norman Rockwell-ish to me. Monday, Red goes into see Dr. Fariello to check on his arthritis and general health. He is looking very good.

27 October

In The Mail, A Rock Of Appreciation. Acknowledging One Another

by Jon Katz
What The World Brings

I am often delighted and amazed by what the world brings. There are some angry and disconnected people out there, but many more people who are loving and good, given the chance.

I got a painted rock in the mail yesterday from someone in New York State (a woman, I’d guess), it was from an anonymous member of a worthy group called the (#dunkirkrocks/kindness project), an organization of people – in Dunkirk, New York, apparently  – who paint rocks and hide them around their city, hopefully to be found and create joy to the recipients.

What a generous and meaningful idea.

After painting hundreds of rocks and hiding them all over the city (ATM machines, the library, top of gas pumps, on picnic tables, etc.), I decided to paint a rock for every house in my neighborhood. I’ve done 56 rocks so far, each one reflecting some item of interest at the house where I leave the rock. I may cop their flower beds, the type of tree they have, interesting fencing, maybe a likeness of their dog or cat. I find the act of anonymously placing a small hand-crafted gift at someone’s house to be extremely pleasurable for me. I always leave a message on the back of the rock thanking them for being great neighbors. I believe people live up to (or down to) other’s expectations. I read your blog about getting a sweater for Gus – my immediate reaction, “this man deserves a rock,” so here you go. “You rock.”   – The Rock Painter.

Thank you Rock Painter, I love the rock and will add it to my collection of totems and muses and symbols by my computer.

I hope that getting Gus a sweater is one of the least meaningful things I will do this year – it is as close to a no-brainer as I can get in the cold weather  – but I do appreciate it and  love the idea  of the anonymous rock very much.

It reminds me a bit of our Little Free Library, another grass-roots resurgence of community in our fractured and divided country. I love the rock and the colors and it a lovely idea, I hope it spreads. Acknowledging and appreciating people is a simple thing to do, and it has so much meaning for the people who are acknowledged.

In our culture, we all feel small and neglected sometimes, it is quite uplifting to be appreciated. It brings us together, one of the uniquely human things we can do for one another.

The rock will inspire me to do the same, and I appreciate it, Dear Rock Painter. Love And Compassion To You, and hopefully, much acknowledgement.

27 October

My Winter Hat

by Jon Katz
My Winter Hat. November Is Sniffing Around

We’ve had a gloomy, chilly day or two and some evening frosts. November is sniffing around. I’ve decided to bring out the new winter hat Maria bought for me at the Wool Festival we went to a few weeks ago.

I am surprised a how many people like it, I loved it from the beginning, but thought it a bit strange, not like anything I’ve worn before. That suggest’s it’s a good idea, the way to stay young and healthy in my mind is to embrace things I’ve never done before.

This is one reason I loved New Mexico so much, every day I saw landscapes and geological wonders I had never seen before. This morning, taking Fate to the vet for her annual check-up and blood and stool samples.

Still settling in from vacation, unpacking, food shopping, I’ve check in on the news and had enough for a few days. Eager to reconnect with the Mansion people and the refugee kids from Albany.

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