Gorilla Glue

It's been nearly three weeks and I am still trying to get Gorilla Glue off of my fingernails. I was working on making a cat tree out of an old ladder by wrapping it in jute rope. The last one I made this way was/is very popular with the cats. I only nailed the ends of the rope down so as they scratch and climb on it the rope has stretched and sagged. So this time I am using Gorilla Glue to keep the rope in place. I didn't realize how messy I was or how strong the glue is until I tried to clean up. Both hands were nearly covered in glue and there were drips on my arms and legs. After it is dried, and since I had been working for quite a while and using a fan to keep cool, it was very dried by the time I quit, it is nearly impossible to get off. I tried alcohol, acetone, paint thinner, almost anything under the kitchen sink. Nothing worked. But I did get very dry skin! Even they admit (brag?) on their website that it is very hard to remove and say it is even resistant to sanding. I spent days picking at the glue and it slowly came off my skin revealing nice fresh skin underneath. I had to cut my fingernails all the way down because the buildup of glue under them was driving me crazy. By today I have removed almost all of it from my fingernails except for a small bit on one thumb that just won't release. Now if Gorilla Glue would only get together with a nail polish company they would have a hit on their hands!

Divot

Picked up Divot's prescription for Phenobarbital at CVS so that means he has been with us for a month now. He has settled in quite nicely even going into his crate in the mornings without being asked. Because of his epilepsy and the heat he cannot stay outside during these hot days. A couple of weeks ago he had 6 seizures on a Sunday. It was awful to witness as there was nothing I could do for him. After each one he would wander restlessly and aimlessly for a while before falling asleep. After the 4th one he acted blind bumping into the walls and furniture. I forced him into his crate so he was at least safe from harming himself. I did let him come to bed with us as he had not had a seizure in many hours and seemed needy. He came up and slept between my legs instead of down in the corner he usually claimed as his own. During his 6th seizure it was interesting to watch the other animals reactions. Sam came up to see what was going on. Oreck moved to a far corner of the bed to get out of the way and watch. The cats left the bed and got far away. I crated Divot for the rest of the night as his "mother" suggested. By morning he seemed fine but listless. When I got home after work and let him loose he was a crazy dog-running indoors and out, on the furniture and off, knocking any dog or cat that got in his way. The cats quickly moved up to high ground and watched him in horror. Oreck barked and chased him having a great time as long as he didn't follow too close and get knocked on a sharp turn. Sam just watched indignantly that a dog should act so undignified. Since then he has been a happy and healthy dog. We don't miss a pill, which he gobbles down with peanut butter. Of course, whatever other dogs are there insist on their twice daily dose of peanut butter also.

We had Jackson again while Saundra went off to deaf camp. He was just getting relaxed enough to not beg to be held or stare at me constantly when she came to pick him up. He seemed to have a good time and it didn't even seem to bother him when he got in the way of Divot's wild runs. He would go spinning off but come back like nothing had happened. Wonder, one of the big boys, would watch in disdain from his perch.

People think it must be lonely living alone but I can assure you all, it is never boring.

The fiscal years resolution

It is June, almost the end of the fiscal year. I never make New Years Resolutions but I thought I might try a Fiscal Year Resolution. After much nagging, I am going to try to keep a blog. I recently returned from a hectic trip to California. It started last Thursday at DFW airport waiting for a plane to pass inspection for the flight into San Jose, CA and ended last night at midnight when I finally got home after sitting on the plane in San Jose for nearly 2 hours while they tried to locate a particular wrench so they could fix the engine so that the plane would actually fly! Not really inspiring but at least they were checking things.

Saturday I photographed Francis and Evelyn's wedding at the Our Lady of Peace Church in Santa Clara and the reception at the Historic Del Monte in Sunnyvale. I can't share any photos because I gave all of the memory cards to my friend and fellow photographer Jessica, who is also Francis's brother.

Sunday I was at Evergreen College for the flyball tournament. Always fun. A little bit of excitement as my tent blew over. The breeze did feel nice, though!

Monday I drove up to Davis to pick up Dad and Shirley and take them up to Rocklin. There we had lunch with Renee (my cousin) and Uncle Ray. I also photographed Truman, her new black and tan cocker spaniel who rewarded me by peeing all over me. Just one of the rewards of being a pet photographer. That is why I am always wearing jeans when I work with animals. Between the pee and poop, fur and claws, they are about the only clothes to survive some of these sessions.

As you may have noticed, it is August but this was written in June. I saved it and the previous entry as a draft and couldn't find them until today. So if things are out of order and outdated, I apologize. I just am not yet fluent at blogging. Maybe one of these days, I will join the 21st century.

Fostering and pet sitting

I've been yearning for another pet for quite a while now. But I just can't justify getting another. The cats have settled into their routines, rarely bothering each. Wonder and Goldy, the big boys, don't like cats in the studio and I have doubts they would adjust well to another cat in the household. Oreck could really use a playmate but it just isn't the right time for it.





So instead I volunteered to foster Divot, a dachshund mix (looks like he is mixed with rottweiler, but who knows?) for 3 months while his family relocates. We picked him up after class on Monday. He is a mellow, fat boy, with a very crooked front leg, that doesn't bother him a bit, and epilepsy. He didn't give Oreck or the cats a second look. He just wandered around the house either checking it out or trying to find a way back home. At bedtime he jumped right up on the bed and made himself at home.





Last night, I picked up Jackson, Saundra's rescued, intact, white, 5 pound Pomeranian to pet sit through the weekend. He is a hyper little guy always wanting to be picked up and held. When he gets excited he jumps straight up in the air like a bouncing ball. He can't quite jump onto the bed. His jumping seems more vertical than horizontal. He and Oreck seem to have a contest going to see who can mark the most spots and who can do it last. Since he is not thoroughly house-broken either, I take them out periodically and let them go dry before bringing the back in. Divot just ignores him, too, even when he is the object of Jackson's lust.



Tonight Sheila brought Sam, her intact Jack Russell rescue, over for pet sitting. He immediately fell in lust with Divot. Poor Divot had the two dogs lusting whatever part of him they could reach. Sam is apparently jealous of Jackson and showed the first aggression I have ever seen out of him.



Next day-Because Jackson is so small and I didn't want to take any chances with Sam's aggression, Sam was crated for the night. Because Jackson cannot control his lust he was crated, too. Divot seemed more relaxed and slept well until he rolled off of the bed. He looked so befuddled as he stood on the floor trying to figure out what had happened. Then he just shook it off, crossed the room for a running start and came up on the bed and fell back asleep.

This is another photo of Cherry Jubilee. It will be used in the TICA yearbook and by Donna, her owner, to brag about her. Although a lot of people consider the Sphinx to be "exceptionally ugly",
'the reason God put fur on cats", they are very affectionate, playful and interesting creatures. No, they aren't soft and furry, making them great for people with allergies, but they don't feel as tough and leathery as they look. If you get the chance, definitely check one out. I think you will be surprised.

This is Cherry Jubilee, a champion Black Tortie and White Sphinx from the Fort Worth area. She is just one of the purebred cats I photographed this weekend. This is my favorite shot from her session. Goldie, one of my big boys was coming hesitantly down the stairs behind me and Cherry really wanted to check him out. Goldie doesn't like cats coming into the studio and was fluffed up to look much more than his 20 pounds. Cherry didn't seem anxious, just very curious. Goldie kept going so we never did find out what might have happened between them.

Today I would like to let you know about a great site that help animals and more. All you have to do is click and the advertisers (on the site only-they won't contact you) will pay for food. To start, go to:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Click on the purple bar and you have just helped feed shelter and rescue animals. The other tabs are also good causes and it only takes a minute to go through them all. Make it your home page and you won't forget to click everyday. 100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to their charitable partners which are listed on the site. This is an easy karma point for anyone with a computer, which includes you, if you are reading this!