Jasper's Tricks

Yep. I'm THAT pet owner who posts videos about her dog. If I wasn't so proud that he learned these tricks in a single day I would probably hate myself. Sorry the quality is poor. And yes, to nip the snarky remarks about 'dogs doing anything for treats' in the bud, he can perform these tricks without treats as well. Be amazed.

New Direction?

Well, hu. I'm a little lost folks.

Most of you know that I've been looking into going back to school for massage. At the end of January I researched several programs and found one that fit my schedule and budget needs. The program was due to begin in early February but when the day of registration came and I called to check the time, I was told that the program director had gone to Japan to speak with the governing board about the program and that February's classes had been postponed until early March.

"Ok," I thought. "This is actually better. Now I will have time to accustom myself to the idea of going back to school."

Well, February passed in a blur with guests and the acquisition of Jasper and evidently March started a week ago. Late Friday night, I realized that the admissions people had said the program would resume in early March and that very easily could mean Monday. But no one had been in contact. So, did it?

Knowing that the offices would be closed all weekend I knew I was up a small creek because I worked Monday and wouldn't be able to call and check until at least 11:30 am, and the afternoon classes started at 12:30pm. That would leave me very little time to get home, showered, fed and out the door after work.

Well, today dawned and of course things ran late at work, but I made it home in enough time to feed, water and bathe myself before I took off to class. As I performed these tasks I continued to think about the whole situation, and found that I was feeling a little less enthusiastic about this particular program than I was at the start. I narrowed it down to two reasons:

1. There seemed to be a huge lack of initiative on the part of the school to keep its applicants updated to program changes. (Very unprofessional indeed.)
2. The thought of leaving Jasper home alone for so long each day made me feel more than a little neglectful.

These reasons made me decide NOT to go in today, but rather to call instead. I'm glad I did. What I discovered was this: The school is going through some serious changes and the recruiters don't really know what's going on. Evidently "Ye old Program Director" is STILL in Japan reviewing the program which may or may not begin in again in May, or perhaps June. Sometime this Summer. "But it looks like the tuition is going to be cheaper! A lot cheaper actually..." How compelling. 

Needless to say I'm not impressed, and cheaper tuition or no I will be looking for another program. Let the search begin again. 

Cold.

I think I'm coming down with something. Maybe it's a sympathy cold. I took Jasper to the vet today because he has had a noticeably runny/sneezy nose for the past few days. They tell me that he has the beginnings of an upper respiratory infection. Sad face! So the wee lad goes on antibiotics for a week.

As stupid as it sounds (-Sighs and shakes head- You know this is going to be less than intelligent.) when my throat started getting a little scratchy this morning at work my first thought was that I caught Jasper's cold. Heck! If we can catch things from birds and swine, why not dogs?

I didn't need to worry however. According to Dr. Shelley Rankin, assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, "The virus that causes the common cold in humans is species-specific, which means you can't spread it to your dog or cat, nor can you get it from them." 


Whew. That takes a load off. 

#1 or #Eww ?

Puppies pee a lot. A lot, a lot. I have cleaned up more pee in 6 days than I ever thought possible. I swear this puppy's urinary system can be filled and emptied like a water gun. In most dogs water passes through at a normal, perhaps human speed. I'm fairly certain that when Jasper ingests water is dumps straight from his throat into his bladder, ready to fire at a moment's notice. You know how I know this is true? It's cold when I clean it up scant seconds after it has "left the gun."

Puppies also poop. I hesitate to share this story because it is slightly graphic but I was so shocked and horrified that I had to take a picture. This afternoon I was in the kitchen talking with one of my friends on skype when I realized that I had not checked on Jas in about 2 minutes and he was being eerily quiet. I excused myself and stepped into the living room to find him in the act of "dropping the kids off at the pool," minus the pool.

"JASPER! NO!"  I scolded, clapping my hands together loudly. This startled him off his perch and only then did I see what he had defecated on.

Of all the places he could have gone, he chose to poo ON TOP of one of his favorite chew toys that I had made him. I didn't know whether to be furious or impressed at his aiming abilities.

Jasper finds his voice

For the first five days that Jasper spent with us I was convinced that he was mute. From the moment he set his paws on our apartment floor he was silent. Even at night when we shut him into the bathroom he did not whimper, bark or scratch. (I think maybe it had to do with the fact that he spent some time at the humane society and adjusted to solitude there.) Well, yesterday he found his voice. The captain and I were sitting on the floor minding our own business when suddenly a few sharp yips cut through the silence. We looked up and saw what had startled our mute puppy. It was a VERY scary pink plastic bag. No doubt very deadly. I'm glad to know that he knows an intruder when he see's one.

Doggie!

We adopted a puppy this week. His name is Jasper and he's the greatest puppy in the world!

I must have been completely puppy struck because the fact that he peed like a waterfall didn't bother me in the least. Well, ok. After the 10th time he peed on the carpet I was a little tired of the act but I still loved him utterly and completely.

Here is a picture of the little man who stole my heart.

HMA Christmas Banquet 2010

One fun thing about being a teacher's wife is that you get to get dolled up now and again for banquets. This banquet was by far the most elaborate I've been to, bar none. The banquet coordinator at HMA really outdid herself. These pictures don't show the full extent of the table decorations nor the room itself but it still gives a brief glimpse into the night. 

 In true banquet fashion The Captain got creative when he asked me to go with him. 

 In the car driving to the hotel in Waikiki.

 The table decorations before the swag was added.

The clever centerpieces.

Our banquet photo. Probably the most fun I had taking one. All the  photographers thought that we were students, which was totally awesome except for the fact that they were going to make us pay for the photos. Tsk tsk tsk. No, no. -shakes head- That didn't do at all. 

All in all this was the most stress free banquet I've attended. I bought my dress 4 hours before the event, did my hair 2 hours before and since The Captain is an ASHMA sponsor we didn't have to pay for anything except the valet parking. Best date night ever! (Well before our date night with Dog that is...)