Chi-Gurl and Me with a dash of Moo-Cat

Seriously, if it wasn't for this little dog of mine, I wouldn't even see a hint of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.  She is the one and only thing that keeps me going in this world!  I think for those who suffer from depression, having a pet can do wonders for the psyche.  They give you a reason to get up in the morning and they reduce stress levels by being able hold them and pet/scratch/belly rub them. 
Yes, I suffer from depression, I wouldn't say I'm ashamed to admit it, but it's not really something I'm proud of either.  It can be incredibly debilitating, even while on medication. Certain things trigger it and when you add in a lot of anxiety and worry it can become nothing short of overwhelming.
I also think I've turned down the road to perimenopause.  YAY ME  Any female, in my age group, may be well aware of the symptoms and frustrations that go along with it too. Lately, it's been mood swings, sleeplessness, fatigue, headaches and a fuzzy brain as I like to call it.  I have had some night sweatiness, but nothing too bad yet.
But, back to my doggie, she's not perfect, but she's perfect for me.  Sometimes I wonder if she's not a departed family member who has been reincarnated as my companion? Although she was born in Nevada, anything is possible, right? Even the Moo-cat tolerates her and they get along quite nicely.  If only they had more space to play, like they used too. 
Please, for the Love of......soon!!

Why Blog??

Sometimes I ask myself why should I bother blogging?  I mean, other than to get thoughts down it really has no value, does it?  It's not like anyone is reading it or remote interested in it!  I may go back to Journal writing, so that when my time arrives for infirmity, distant family members can read of my life, the pain, the pleasure and perhaps get a better idea of who I am or was.  Unless I discard them all before that time arrives? Hmmm (ceremonial burning?)
Blogging is something infinitely personal, unless of course your prattling on about celebrities and the like.  Which as I get older, grows less and less entertaining.
I have of late, lost much of the zest for life and things that once interested me are not very appealing.  I've been down this path before, its quite familiar to me, even though it can become extremely unpleasant.
As I age, I find, even though on my part I do attempt to nurture such things as friendships/relationships they fade.  People move on, they're busy with kids, life and careers.  I completely understand and yet am I being so selfish as to want to claim some smart percent of their world?  I haven't made a new friends for several years, some acquaintances, yes, but as for friends, none.  I've lived here now for 7.5 years, not one friend, no social gatherings (other than his family) and no social groups, interest groups or activities benefiting my hobbies or interests.
I suppose at first, I was satisfied with my social group being his family. Now, that novelty as all but worn off and reversing in the other direction. (But that's a whole other can of worms)
Then, my father died, I had to deal with the estate that left me physically and emotionally exhausted.
From there came my sister's major surgery State-side and the hullaballoo surrounding that. 
At last it was my time for surgery, when I had a total hip replacement on the left side at St. Mike's in Toronto. 
I was eager to get back to a job after recovery, but I wasn't very successful on the first two counts, the third was miserable and now I'm finally employed, although part-time.  My current job, friends you say?  No, I work alone and only see people in passing coming or going, only there long enough for pleasantries.
While my sister has plenty of suggestions, why don't you join this or do that (all while she sits at home most days of the week doing nothing)  Anything I have been interested in has a) cost money b) been cancelled c) interferes with my work schedule or d) I get the feeling that Fab wouldn't go for it. 
I also find that now that I'm a "mommy" aka: dog owner there doesn't seem to be as much freedom in doing things.  While I would NEVER trade my dog for anything, she's my kid, some people don't seem to understand.
So, there you have it, lonely gal seeks friendship with others. Also seeks a home, but at this rate, I'll be in the nuthouse before that happens.

Early September

It's the changing of the Seasons once again as we edge closer to Autumn. I've never been a huge fan of the change from Summer to Autumn as we all know what comes next....winter!  Don't you find that we tend not to notice that change from Autumn to Winter quite so much?  Probably because by that point we're so tired of the greyness of November, we can't wait for some snow, just to liven up the landscape.  Not only to brighten the canvas around us, but also to add just a little bit of excitement, no?  The first snow or two always seems to be a new lesson for many drivers, unprepared and quite possibly unskilled in Winter driving.  I speak only from the GTA point of view, where the white stuff seems to come as a complete surprise to most. It's not like the media doesn't repeat and spell diaster for us all when we're on the brink of receiving a mere 5 cms.  It's called "snow tires" kids, preventive maintenance and adjusting your driving when there's flakes in the air...but I'm completely off track.  After all, we shouldn't see any snow for weeks to come.....right?
No, it's Autumn first...where everything that was once lush and green and blooming starts it's walk towards the "light" and leaves us yearning, months from now, for that first hint and slight thrill of thawing soil and warmth on the breeze.  Or when the leaves start to colour, which is really quite beautiful until they completely lose their charm and deposit themselves and all the neighbours too, (or so it seems), upon the lawn.  I think we raked about 16 or 17 bags last year, which would've made excellent compost, had I had the space.
No...Autumn is a sad Season for me and I hate to see that which I had lovingly planted and nutured for several weeks, die off and disappear.  The days shorten, nights are longer and temperatures are colder all signalling the transition.  Yes, I shall probably mourn for a few weeks, but it too shall pass, like all the departures that have come and gone before.  And I shall begin to mark my calender...how many days until Spring?

Bug Control

As we approach the first long weekend of the Summer, or so we like to call it.  It brings back memories of past long weekends.  Some of them spent flogging away at blackflies as you attempt to plant a garden.  I discover about 15 years ago I have quite the allergic reaction to these vicious little buggers - pun intended. 

One thing about living in the city, you don't have to deal with them as often and only the odd mosquito.  Surprisingly I thought there would be just as many mosquito's around due to the amount of junk behind the house here. 

But no, there's just as nasty a little monster that lurks there.  The wasp, the yellow jacket, I really don't spend enough time standing still to discover it's true indentity.  Another insect that seems to love me and I must avoid them at all costs.  Because with each bite over the years, I seem to get a worse reaction.  We're going to try hanging a wasp trap and I'd like to get one of those artificial wasp nests so they don't even nest behind the house (in the junk) in the first place.  I think Fab likes the idea of "killing the bugs" where I would just like to avoid them, period!

Mothers Day 2010

Well, it's almost that time of year again...Mother's Day.  sssssigh
It used to be a more important date for me, but now it's associated with a hint of sadness and memories.  Not for the fact that I've never had a child of my own (do Chihuahua's count?) as I still feel the same way about having children.  But, that it's been 9 years since I've lost my mother and I often think of her.  The pain of the loss has eased of course, but so many times you get caught off guard by sights, smells, sounds and so on that remind you of the ones that have passed on. It's amazing how often she and dad have been in my dreams, most nights actually. 
She may be gone, but she'll always be my mother, never to be replaced by anyone else!
Love You Mum!  - Betty-Jane - 1933-2001

The Junkyard aka: The Compound

This is what lives behind the "shack".  I can imagine what poisons have already leaked into the soil and contaminated the ground!

Although it's fenced, it can't possibly be legal in a residential area, can it?  Of course, if I were to complain, a) would anything be done and b) I would probably have to identify myself.

I can't imagine the view from the woman's house behind this as she looks out her living room window?!  Ack...

All I see out of the cracked kitchen window is a fence and a peek at the ladies house behind the "junkyard".  Mind you, I'm not very tall, so I think Fab would have a better view.

BTW, if anyone sees something they think they might need, let me know.  Then again, for him to sell stuff, it only encourages more buying and selling and trading.  He's currently at 3 cars, 2 full size pick-ups, 2 cars (parts) to make one whole Lotus and a multitude of motorcycles and scooters/mopeds.  These are located between his property and the entry into said "yunkyard".  HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY! :)

My Inner Hell

All I can say is no No NO!

My head feels like it will explode

The pain is overwhelming

both physical and emotional.

I have to get out of here,

I'm losing myself, my being.

I am not a conformist!

Take me as I am, this is it.

It's hard to see

the flowing tears, they compete

with the pounding head.

I was doing so well

and starting to smile again.

To feel a little optimism

allow myself some hope.

But another reality

almost not of this world

Decided to impose

their warped out look on to me.

Only to collapse my

fragile stick walls

While I lay broken

on the floor.

I will decide

if I can rebuild.

If I do,

I shall use stone

and set out

the dogs to protect

my fragile heart.

....argosy....

Inside my head is a voice screaming

It sees and feels all the hurt

The pain and the unjust

going on around me.

It makes me want to yell

and stomp and hit and cry.

To lose myself in a drunken stupor.

Or drug my mind to

avoid this cruel reality.

Which way is up

as I always seem

to be looking down.

There is no clarity

no written in black and white.

The words are mumbled

or not heard, barely uttered.

I need some normalicy

Balance,

Peace,

and maybe,

just maybe,

a little...understanding.

EJH 03/05/10

The Starling & it's Tasty Tidbit

Feral little bird

What have you found there?

A tasty little meal,

in the form of a pizza crust.

Previously spat out

by a street urchin

that obviously didn't meet

her epicurious standards.

I mean, I think it

was female.

It was hard to tell.

Needless to say,

the little bird,

took flight with his dinner.

EJH - 2009

In the Streets

The gutter living folk

are at it again.

Trapsing the streets

with nowhere

in particular to go.

The drug addicts and prostitutes

Drug runners and thieves.

Looking for action

some, confrontation.

Having long ago

lost their direction.

Perhaps,

even their Soul(s).

EJH 08/09

Uninspired

Uninspired today

Looking for words

in the faces

of the people

who pass me by.

Needing reassurance

that this path I take

is the right one.

Or should I say,

the right one,

right now.

A rather dull existence

greets me each morn.

A boring job,

with no imagination.

Although

on days like this,

I write

and attempt

creation.

EJH - 08/31/09

A Rainy Day in the Box

I watch,

from inside the fishbowl.

Looking out

at the dysfunctional world.

The rain has eased

the skies, still grey.

It merges with the asphalt,

the buildings,

various shades of Blaaah!

Traffic is steady

it's quitting time

everyone in a rush

their needs

surpassing all others.

Pedestrians shuffle

shoulders hunched over.

Either due to the

electronic device

in their hand,

or against the wind.

Some,

 carrying many burdens

upon themselves.

Raves for rapini:

Raves for rapini: This week, we finish our four-part look at some of the less-familiar vegetables in the supermarket

 

The green Italian vegetable known as rapini has as many names as the chicory cousins, which we dealt with last week. But there is no confusing rapini with anything else.

By The Calgary Herald
March 29, 2006


The green Italian vegetable known as rapini has as many names as the chicory cousins, which we dealt with last week. But there is no confusing rapini with anything else.

Brassica rapa, Ruvo group -- also known as broccoli raab, cima di rapa, ruvo kale, turnip broccoli and Italian turnip -- has its own uncompromising presence.
Rapini has been a presence in the New World since the early 1930s, when a breeding program was introduced by an Italian family of gardeners who recognized the plant as it grew wild in the ditches and fields of California.
Rapini sits firmly and aggressively on the bitter end of the flavour scale. Rapini is a pretty raw vegetable, but it is never eaten raw. Look for ruffled elegance like a flamenco dancer's dress, but choose all green, with no yellow. Elongated stalks are thin and tender, with densely clustered leaves and tiny buds. Look for stalks that have been newly severed, and no woody texture.
This vegetable is perishable, lasting only a few days in the fridge. Make the most of it by wrapping the bunch in paper towels before nesting it into a perforated plastic bag. Avoid storing rapini near fruits that ripen after harvest (apples, avocados, pears, melons, tropical fruit, plums). As they ripen, they exude ethylene gas, which will turn the rapini yellow.
Rapini is easy to prepare. Wash the bunch and discard any aged or faded leaves and buds, then trim and discard the stalks at their woodiest point. Then cut the entire bunch crosswise into short lengths of about an inch, maybe two.
Garlic and ginger are natural partners. So are spicy sausages, cured pork such as pancetta, hot chili flakes, black olives of the oil-cured variety and curry powder -- even sparing amounts of turmeric or cumin.
Lemon zest, a golden haze of finely grated yellow skin after the dish is cooked, adds a bit of balance and welcome colour. Use flavoured sweeteners with character to temper rapini's bitterness: honey, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup. Or rely on rapini's bitter edge to boost potatoes and pasta.
Cook rapini knowing its glowing colour will fade to drab in the pan. The flavour won't, though. If it seems too assertive, too pungent for your palate, blanch rapini in boiling water, then drain and rinse in cold water before carrying on.
Traditional cooks cook rapini by braising it until tender, flavoured with garlic and hot chili flakes in a bit of water or stock. Alternatively, steam or stir-fry, saute or boil, just as you would broccoli, only briefly.
Be prepared for shrinkage. One bunch of chopped rapini fills about 6 cups (1.5 L), but it condenses into about 2 cups when cooked, so be generous.


dee Hobsbawn-Smith is an author, writer, chef and poet.
dee@curiousocook.net




Braised Rapini and Garlic with Balsamic


Serve this traditional combination as a side dish or on pasta.  It makes a natural partner for spicy Italian sausages, steamed or grilled.


2 to 4 slices bacon, sliced crosswise


olive oil for the pan


1 onion, sliced3 to 4 cloves garlic, sliced or minced

1 bunch rapini, washed and chopped

1/2 cup (125 mL) water or stock


1/2 cup (125 mL) oil-cured black olives


zest of 1 lemon


hot chili flakes to taste

drizzle of balsamic vinegar


salt and pepper to taste


toasted pine nuts for garnish

Saute bacon in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until all fat is rendered out. Add enough oil to lubricate the pan, then add onion and garlic.
Cook until tender and translucent, about 10 minutes, over medium heat.
Add rapini, water or stock and olives. Cover and simmer until rapini is tender to the bite, 8 to 15 minutes.
Add lemon zest, hot chili flakes, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
Mix well, then serve immediately. Garnish with pine nuts.
Serves 4.

A Date of Birth

I really don't know what the weather was like 41 years ago today.  but I hope for my mother's sake, it was tad nicer that it is today!  Brrrrr
I also wish I had more details about the day of my birth.  What was it like for my parents in those hours leading up to my arrival?  Did Mom have a difficult time?  Was Dad at the hospital, pacing the halls?  Or, was he at home watching my older sister, Marilyn and waiting for a phone call?  I wonder if Mom's parents were there for my delivery?  Why I don't even know what time I arrived at either?

It makes me wish that I had asked my Mum more questions about my birth.  But, when you're young, you are so busy living, you don't always ask the right questions.  I remember asking my Dad & Marilyn a few years ago if they remember anything of my birth, but neither of them were much help.  I got two different answers on the time of my arrival - midnight and mid-afternoon.  Dad thought he was out working in the field (harvesting/threshing)  Note likely as it was the end of September.  Unless he was harvesting corn...Hmmmmm

Marilyn later told me, the Doctor who delivered me had passed on some time ago.  Interestingly enough it was by suicide.  Ack!  Perhaps a check on the local record books might give me the answers I'm looking for. 

I've never had the maternal urge.  (except when it comes to caring for animals)  There's been no biological clock ticking, chiming or cuckook'ing away.  No interest in babysitting or even oogling young mothers little cooing bundles.  Although, I can appreciate a cute baby or an adorable, well behaved imp.  I have never had a desire to have one of my own!

Kudos to those who do!  But, I'll stick to my dogs, cats and any other creature that need some of my TLC thanks!

Miss you Mom - Feb/01 & Dad - Dec/04 - RIP

Preserving & Canning

Having recently read an article on Home Canning in the Mother Earth News, I was inspired to write about my own canning experiences.  And, those I hope to create in the future!
Canning was very much a part of my childhood.  Dad, especially came from an era/lifestyle where it was essential to put up goods from not only the garden but from the local waters as well.
Yes, that's right, they canned fish!  Although I have no idea how they did it.  But I must assume a pressure cooker was involved and then they packed the fish in vegetable oil.  So, it would be quite similar to sardines or mackeral.
As for my childhood memories...
There were jams and marmalades, mostly strawberry and either an orange or a pineapple zuchinni marmalade.
Pickles! 
Dills, bread & butter and I believe icicle pickles were made.  Mustard beans, hot dog relish and chilli sauce! 
Fruits! 
We canned a ton of pears too.  Lots and lots of Bartlett pears. We also sold pears by the basket full and on a really good year, by the bushel. This, all from one tree, often with supports beneathe its branches to support the weight of the fruit.  Needless to say, I was saddened by the loss of this amazing tree in May 1985, when a small tornado went through.  A relative of the one that did major damage in Barrie, ON.
We often would stock up on fresh peaches as well, nothing quite like canned peaches in mid-January!  Yum!
And of course, there was the tomatoes, we always canned tomatoes.  Not stewed or sauces, just plain ol' tomatoes, with maybe a little salt.  Dad would often be up until the wee hours of the morning, ladling these red beauties into sterilized yars.  You'd go to bed smelling them and wake up smelling tomatoes
If it wasn't canned then it was frozen!  Peas, beans, corn, berries, rhubarb, currents, and probably some I've forgotten along the years.
I long for the day when I am able to can and preserve again.  I don't have proper storage, space or the equipment to do much at this point.  But, I believe we all have to be more resourceful and re-learn these ways.  Besides, it tastes so good on a cold winters night!

Moods & Transitions

I don't quite understand it myself really, but tonight I'm feeling a profound sense of sadness.  Almost a overwhelming feeling of disappointment tagging along for good measure.  I'm not even completely sure what triggered this mood.  It could be a few friends who are sad, some who are angry and others frustrated by the lives.  I know I'm sensitive, but sometimes peoples moods affect me.  It's as if I'm too much in tune with the emotions of others and haven't developed a suitable enough defense system to keep them at bay.   I've been successful at fending the emotions off at times, but tonight it was too much, overload time. 

Sometimes I think the changing of the seasons, generally from Summer to Autumn is a sad period for me.  The short days, longer nights, cooler temperatures, lack of green, migration of songbirds and the passing of time all begin to make their presence known.  I know Fall can be a beautiful time of the year, but in some ways it can feel like a passing.  And, November is the greyest, dreariest month of all, with the only bright moment is a day at the Royal Winter Fair.

Ironically, I was born in the month of September, at the very end of the month, the cusp into October.  You would think I would have more fondness for this time of the year, but as I grow older, that's all it is, another year older and no excitement for the upcoming Season.  Winter!!!

La Mia Vita...

At what point does a house, become a home?  What does a home mean to you?  Is it just a place to lay your head and hang your hat?  Or does it mean so much more?

I've lived in many houses and apartments over the years.  But very few actually felt like "Home". Of course the home I grew up in had the "Homey" feeling.  And out of the 10-12 residences I've occupied since, I would have to say only 2 gave me the warm fuzzies.  One, was a raised bungalow basement apartment in Guelph, where I lived through 2 major dusty renovations and the other place, an almost new townhouse in Whitby.  Dreadful neighbours on both sides of the townhouse, but loved the home. My present day place, is NOT one of these warm fuzzy homes.

Allow me to elaborate, this "unit" is owned by Fab's brother. (one of "those" landlords) We live 2 doors away from him, with wonderful neighbours inbetween us.  It's a corner lot, with a transit stop on the busy street side.  The lot size is about 60-something by 90-something.  But, the whole back part of the property (which would make a lovely fenced garden) is used by his brother.  It's called "The Compound".  I call it the Junkyard because that's essentially what it is.  Grrrrreat!  The front of the lot is open and fronted with 2 large maple trees. (1 Silver & 1 Sugar)  Great shade on a hot summers day and heaps of leaves in the Fall.  The larger silver maple tends to shed branches & twigs whenever the wind is higher that say 30km/h.  I'm a self-professed Tree Hugger, so I tend to be more forgiving of it's issues. Fab would have it cut down tomorrow.  Honestly, it needs the gentle carass of an Arborist.

But I digress, back to the "Shack". (my term)

The Shack, I'm guessing was built sometime in the 30's.  The quality and the workmanship declares that it might have been built by men on a chain gang.  Those, who were forced to do manual labour in exchange for crackers, water and a toothpick.  There's no basement, but a scary looking crawlspace.  That, I fear if I was ever to enter, I'd pack my bags, grab Jabby and vanish.  There's an archaic old gas furnace down there too.  I hear it banging and it's shifts the floor when it comes on.  Scaring the crap out of us all from time to time during the winter months.

The Shack is about half the size of the townhouse we were living in.  So, we went from 1500 sq ft to about 800 sq ft.  Aaaaaagh  There is an attic-y type room upstairs that was probably a couple of children-sized (maybe trolls?) bedrooms at one time, but we only use it for storage.  The stairs to reach it are as steep or steeper than the stairs at the Roman Coleseum.  With little to no headroom and I'm only 5'4".

OH, and the bigger issue is the electrical or lack thereof system.  Fuses, only 3 of them, for everything and I believe it's 30 or 40 amp service.  We lost the bathroom outlet over a year ago, never been repaired and like the rest of the promises, we won't likely get the electrical panel upgrade either.  Needless to say, you can't run the dryer and say, the vacuum cleaner, or the oven at the same time.  My God, what century is this kids?

Before moving in 2 years ago, I had to strip off old wallpaper, paint, clean carpets and nag his brother to deal with a mold issue in what was to be our closet (room).  Our bedroom is the living room and our dining room is the living room. It, the mold, was back a year or so later, anyone say BLEACH?!

The floors here are something out of a carney ride (lol) they go up and down, along with the walls and the ceilings.  It's like the centre of the house has sunk or something like that. The galley kitchen, well, it's a converted lean-to..shhhh, do you hear the banjos too?

I've attempted to make it "home-like" and have put a some effort into the outside by developing flower gardens, improving the lawn and keeping things neat and tidy.

His brother had replaced some flooring, windows and had reshingled over the old shingled, wavy roof, the year prior to us moving in. 

Interestingly, the garage is new!  (brotherly love perhaps?) Fab's brother built it for him before we moved in.  It's nicer than the house.  Except, the first winter, with freezing and thawing, water came in through the block.  It's a major thorn in Fab's side.  His brother doesn't seem overly concerned, then again, it's not his stuff in there is it?

In reality, I think the biggest blessing for the Shack would be a High-Ho and a Dump Truck! 

Tuesday September 1, 2009

How much longer do I have to suffer with allergies, I've had about all I can take! I think it's time to see the Doctor because when they hit, I can't function. Time for an allergy test and perhaps prescription meds. When I take an allergy pill, I get about 2, maybe 3 hours of relief and I don't think that's normal. We had such a damp and cool summer, theres a huge influx of weeds, molds and gawd knows what! Time to get back to normal summers and to move outta the shack!

Peace.......out

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have been incredibly neglectful of this blog. Shame on me...

Here's a picture of Jabby on Christmas morning with her Jingle Collar on, it wasn't much of a hit with her, so luckily my sister snapped a pic. :)

I think going through the surgery with Jabby late last summer was more stressful on me then it was on her. I am happy to say she seems to be doing quite well, but she's bored, as it's winter and too cold and snowy to go out for walks. I hope she won't lose too much muscle tone over the winter and I try to keep her diet leaner so she won't gain weight. The only time she gets to really run around is when we visit relatives as they have significantly more space than we do.

As of yesterday I've started cooking Jabby her meals. A big crockpot, chicken thighs, veggies, rice and voila. I've been researching and have a few things I'd like to add to this concoction, such as cooked liver/heart, egg and plain live yogourt. The yogourt and cooked egg would be added at serving time and the liver would be cooked ahead and folded into the main mix. I currently have enough in the freezer for the whole month of January. I still offer her kibble, but have made this instead of buying canned food. It's a whole lot cheaper too...

I had to put my elderly old kitty down in September, he was ill and had fluid around his heart and organs. I can't seeing an animal suffer and I think we all new it was time, including him. My vet was wonderful and we buried him in the in-law's garden.

The other cat (Bootz) has since come out of her "shell" and has taken his place in the household. Except of course when it comes to Jabby, she likes to be the boss. Jabby tries to play with her, but she's just not sure what she's supposed to do. :)

Again, it boil down to a space issue which I hope can be solved this year. I'm desperate to purchase a home and have a garden again!!!

Well, that's all for now, peace, love...out!

Monday August 18th, 2008

Well, today we went for our Post-Op checkup at the Vets. Some of the girls came out to see her before we went in for our consult.
Shortly after we were called in the Tech offered her some liver treats but she was just too excited/nervous to take it.
Our Vet arrived, checked her over and said she was doing fantastic and healing well. Her incisions are scabbing and peeling, so I would think they'd be a bit itchy. The wonderful thing is you can hardly see the incisions! We set her on the floor and she walked around, but mostly followed me, staying close. Aww, my Jabby-Gurl! The vet said I did a great job, now maybe I can take better care of myself and I almost fainted at the clinic after our appointment. I don't know why...?
Her pain meds have been cut back to 2X a day and the anti-inflammatory 1X a day. And, we're allowed to take 5 minute walks, 2-3 X a day, very very slowly. This is to make sure she uses all 4 legs to strengthen up those muscles and ligaments. We're to keep her off any slippery surfaces, so no hardwood/laminate/tile/vinyl flooring.
She's been walking around her little blocked off area of the sitting room (where we spend most of our time). And, been going pee and poopie fairly regularly again on her pee pads in this same area. Tonight, she's a bit lame on the right side (grade 4), I'm not sure if it's from the activity today or because the cat may have stepped on her when she was burrowed into a blanket tonight. I'm not going to get myself over worried over it, because I'm sure she'll be better tomorrow. Not to mention, her pain med schedule has been altered, so she may be adjusting.
Well, I think that's all for now, I'm looking forward to our first little walk tomorrow and I hope the weather cooperates!
Blessings All...