The Hermit Club

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  • Skittle
    Skittle Member Posts: 395

    Laurie, you sound blessed once again with a dr who cares.  So glad.

    Blondie, your dr back yet?  Breathing any better at all?  Worry about you.

    Slickchickie, take it easy...  It's easier to go slowly and heal than overdo and regret.  Capone has no idea what you've been through, and he'll be pretty excited to have you back.  Gentle hugs...

    Camille, rainy sounds good.  It's hot and humid and rush-inside kind of weather here.  Hurry up and wait about sums it up.

    Jazzy, We're all looking forward to your Hawaii adventures.  Hope all flights connect smoothly and you and your sister have an amazing time.

    Lori,  Hugs to you.  Kitten purrs are healing you know... 

    Curve, continued successes and health!  Relax if you can.

    Markat, Girls excited about school?  Outfits all ready, or do they wear uniforms? 

    Teka,  How are the new kitties settling in?

    My Thursday appt had a mammo tech with the personality of Vaseline.  No considerations or concerns, no "too tight?" "hurt?" nothing...  Just squash, squash, repeat.  It was unpleasant.  But happy dance with bs.  I have graduated to an appt in a year instead of six months!  Yay.  (Mo more frequently, but oh well...)

    Happy weekend, hermits all.  Hug the loved ones around you, even if they're furbabies.  :-)

  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 2,726

    dr. not back til the 29th of august and onco going on vacation also....nope, still hooked up to my friend Otto the oxygen tank!!!

  • slickchickie17
    slickchickie17 Member Posts: 78

    Blondie, that's a very good name for an oxygen tank! How long until you can send Otto packing? He sounds like a real drag!



    Skittle, good advice, thank you! We just sort of trudged on our walk, not like our usual power-walk. And it was pretty short, the new temporary neighborhood is very small. I miss my old temporary neighborhood. Sigh.



    Camillegal, I'll hurry up & wait with you. That way you're not waiting alone;)

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Thanks slick what else can we do?

    Blondie u have a great sense of humor about this, and I still don't understand there isn't a Dr. to take over what this other Dr. does.

    Skittle once a year Oh how nice finally--it's a good feeling.

  • Skittle
    Skittle Member Posts: 395

    Slick...  Keeping in mind Cooper was ignored for years, and was not "raised" by us... can you give some good advice?  How do I walk a 110 lb German Shepherd without being pulled??  Most of his time he runs/plays ball/cavorts in open fields by our pond... but when it comes to a leash... I get dragged. 

    Camille...  I am eager to hear from my mo (November appt.)  If I see him and am told to return only once a year, I'll feel really "graduated"!   The merry-go-round appts get old quickly.  You've been on the ride a while.    

    DH lost a friend today.  No one knows... heart attack maybe?  sad.

    Hugs to hermits... 

  • spookiesmom
    spookiesmom Member Posts: 8,178

    Have you tried a Gentle Leader? It's one of those things that goes over their nose. Supposed to be better than a choke chain. I've never used one. Suppose Petco or PetsMart would have them. My fur kids are 7# and 18#.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Spookie has a good idea about going to pet smart, they have all kinds of things to help u with training with walking a dog.

    Oh Skittle in all these yrs. I did go one time without seeing any Dr. not one for 4 months--it was wonderful I thought I was free for longer the next time but it didn't happen so I'm still on a 3 month thing, plus all these other Drs. in between and I still see the Onc almost once every 6 weeks for one thing or another--I hate, app'ts , Dr., PT's, Techs, ER's,all that chit and the stupid thing is I've been in the hospital more since I've finished chemo and operations than during that time. My cancer is at bay but all kinds of hings have popped in and up from everything and altho everyone has been so nice to me, I still hat them all--this time I'm going one full week with not Drs. I feel like I'm on vacation, but that's because he's on vacation. But this time I want this liver thing over with cuz every time I think of it I think of liver,onions and bacon, with mashed potatoes and gravy and soup and salad and rice pudding without raisons--I know I'm goofy, but no one else likes that around here but me hahaha Oh this is funny NOT one of my front teeth just fell out it was a good one too, my bones are so bad now my teeth are all loose all of a sudden--it's a joke and I do have some ins. but they want about 8,000.00 to do my mouth it's making me more hermiting cuz I had to have teeth pulled too, See why I hate all Drs. etc, OK I ranted enough hahaha

    Oh my Joey's not here tonight he always cheers me up too. So I have to unsadden myself and I will, it doesn't really last long and besides u gals have to be really tired of all my complaining lately expecially. I'm sorry. 

  • jazzygirl
    jazzygirl Member Posts: 11,974

    Hi hermits- countdown to my departure now. I got done with work yesterday, and now busy packing, getting bills paid, errands run, and ready to go bright and early Monday morning. Its funny, I put my suitcase out a month ago and began putting things in and then took things out and back and forth now until I think I have what I need. A few bathingsuits, sundresses, tanks and shorts and ready to go. Monday will be a long travel day, but I look forward to sitting poolside by Monday afternoon!

    One of the things I had to really think about in the "new world" I now live in is about all those fabulous hawaiian cocktails. One of my med oncs suggested no more than three drinks a week which is not usually an issue for me, but on vacation, I am inclined to partake more. So I decided to save my three drinks for things I really want (i.e., a toasted coconut beer someone told me about) and decide I am just going to have those same cocktails virgin style. Its the flavor I am going for anyways, not the booze. My sister does not drink anymore either and she said "I think I will do that too!"

    Went to see the breast surgeon for a follow up this week and all is well. My recent bloodwork and exam suggest everything is looking good so far. Next step will be my 6 month mammo in Sept and a trip to AZ to meet with the rad onc, whom did my internal radiation treatments earlier this year.

    I am glad to hear Slicki is through her surgery and recovering, others are waiting for apts, working through on going treatment, and perhaps enjoying the last of summer, etc. I am going to say a prayer for all my hermit friends when I am over there, figuring the Goddess Pele may be listening.

    Will check in when I am back and settled and wishing you all continued courage and strength on your journey. Aloha! 

  • Skittle
    Skittle Member Posts: 395

    Spookiesmom, Thanks for the idea!  I have avoided petco and petsmart ever since I asked about leash pulling, and at both places was led to a collar that looked like a torture device, with these spikey fork-like projections that went inward when the dog pulls...  actually digging into his neck.  I almost fled from the stores.  I had just adopted a dog with trust issues after neglect, and they were suggesting I hurt him???  no way.  But maybe I just spoke to the wrong personnel.  If it's not a gentle means, then we just won't enjoy walks on the leash...  (But I would love to take him out and about for exercise and adventure, and it's just not possible without either a dislocated shoulder for me, or a miserable sore neck for him.)  But thanks, I'll look into your suggestion.

    Oh, Camille, what a long series of doctors and treatments.  I am so sorry.  Wish there were some way I could help you unsadden.  (Love your new word.)  Jazzy needs to make room in her suitcase and smuggle you to Hawaii.  (DD2 just made an amazing bread pudding.  Usually I am not crazy about it, but hers was really good.)

    Jazzy, Have fun, fun, fun.  Hugs and smiles.  Happy sand and sun.

  • slickchickie17
    slickchickie17 Member Posts: 78

    Skittle: Well, there are 2 viable options regarding Cooper. The first is what Spookiesmom suggested, which is the Gentle Leader. This is a sort of harness that works on pressure points on the nose, causing the dog discomfort if he pulls ahead of his leash. It is a humane, quick & easy way to get a dog to walk without pulling. This device will NOT teach Cooper how to "heel" & you will need to use it whenever he is leashed. I personally use a custom, no pinch training collar whenever Capone is on a leash. It is also a humane collar, the only modified choke that is considered puppy-safe. This one requires real training, which may not be the best option for your situation. I can give you more info on this second option if you are actively training Cooper, but if it's just a matter of walking him on occasion so he doesn't pull, the leader might be more appropriate. Let me know if you have more questions on either one!

  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 2,726

    Thanks you have to keep your sense of humor throughout all of this if not you will go crazier than I already am....

    Skittle sorry for your DH!!!

    Cammie can we cheer you up, I know Andrew does the same for me...makes me feel so happy and makes me smile, that if why I treasure mom mom and Andrew day, every other Friday!!!

    Slickie my thoughts are with you throughout this recovery.....cancer sucks!!!

    Jazzy, so envious but happy that you are going on vaca you so deserve it....

    Me.....went out this morning to Walmart and DD taking Otto along with me....sometimes I use it in my car, but if I am sitting idle I really don't need it, can't imagine what my electric bill is going to be.......when I take it off then I cough, it is probably psychosomatic, so afraid I will become oxygen dependent, did I say that yet....anyway, hope you all are comfy and taking take of yourself, I have DQ in the freezer but am getting other ice cream so deserve it.....

    BBL

  • spookiesmom
    spookiesmom Member Posts: 8,178

    The big box pet stores are the WORST for training!!!! And those prong collars should be taken off the market. Or the people who use them should wear them and be pulled around.



    Ok end of rant.



    Is there a good dog training facility close? Affiliated with AKC or UKC would be great.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Oh Jazzy the countdown is almost there--i'm so excited for u---it's going to be wonderful--Just drink anything u want but virginize it something that has probably not crossed u'r lips in a while but get used to say it. Be safe Dear Jazzy

    Ladies I'm fine now really it lasts a few minutes.

    Skittle they do have lots of types of leashes for walking and teaching now that don't hur our furbabies. I would hate that for them. my cat won't let me put a collar on her--she's an indoor cat but ahe doesn't realize I would take her out if she did. I told her but she just stared at me.

    Blondie don't go to long without Otto--the name is the same backwards and forwards- that's called a something with a P?????? anyway til they figure this whole mess out don't try to be brave besides they'll figure it out and then u can throw Otto to the curb. Just take care of u'rself.

    I should have gone to my other DD's house tonite I thought my kids were going out and I was taking care of the dog mostly, the cat always fine overnight, then they came back so I'm here. Oh well

    I hope eveeyone hs a good rest tonight and another beautiful day tomorrow.

  • Skittle
    Skittle Member Posts: 395

    palindrome.  race car...  rotator...  evil olive... 

    Thank you for all the collar/leash advice!  Clearly I have to do some research and discovery.  I guess I just want him happy, and make up for all those missed years of feeling like a good dog...  But I appreciate all your suggestions! 

    Jazzy, thanks for the kind words.  DH has had a rough few years losing his dad, uncle, several friends.  Death of an era really.  Most have been wwII vets with deep pools of sensible know-how... 

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Skittle give u'r DH a special hug--he needs one.

    See I knew it started with a P. I remember 1/2 things sometimes. LOL

  • Skittle
    Skittle Member Posts: 395

    blondie...  hugs.  Otto shouldn't eat too much electricity.  When my mother had hers hooked up 24/7, it made no noticeable difference on the bill.   What kind of ice cream did you decide on?  DD1 has a passion for a lemon ice-box pie kind that only comes out once a year here.  I've never had it.  I used to love rocky road, but then had to give it up what with marshmallows in it. 

    Camille... as long as you remember you're loved, that's really all that counts.   (Like when Joey lights up when he sees you.)  :-)  The other stuff is just stuff. 

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Skittle Lemon Ice Box pie sounds so familiar, but I can't place it, but it sure sounds like something I would like. I used to make (what we called) chocolate ice box pie, but in a 9/13 pan Yummy

  • slickchickie17
    slickchickie17 Member Posts: 78

    Skittle: I think you should try the gentle leader. It is completely humane, works similar to a hackamore (bit-less) bridle on a horse. It just uses pressure points & is literally a piece of nylon that fits over the nose. It will work immediately, no training required & Cooper will adjust to it within a few minutes.

    But...anyone who trains LARGE dogs will tell you that you need a choke collar of some kind in order to train effectively. However, you do not need a pronged choke collar & nobody with training credentials would ever use one. Also, you need to know how to use a choke collar properly in order to train effectively. They are NOT inhumane, they are a tool used to communicate with your dog. PM me if you need some more advice- the right choice depends on your experience level, training goals & interest in utilizing a trainer.

  • markat
    markat Member Posts: 502

    Hi everyone! Slick so glad you're recovering well!



    Skittle, this is the first year the girls won't be wearing uniforms. I'm so bummed. Uniforms were so easy.



    Camille, I work for a charter school so the schedule is different. Stinks big time! Hope you are feeling better today! Hugs!



    Jazzy enjoy the trip!



    Blondie hope everything is going well!



    I've been a bit hermitty but trying to trudge on!



    Hope everyone has a great week! Skittle I'm so sorry for your DH's loss of his friend. Hugs to Mr. Skittle!

  • slickchickie17
    slickchickie17 Member Posts: 78

    Markat, that line referring to "Mr. Skittle" made me smile. Mr. Skittle...kinda cute! But you''re right, he probably does need some hugs.

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Hi Markat, ok I understand u'r schedule a little. I can't believe this summer is almost over tho--Joey goes back in less than 3 weeks

    Slick is coming along good.. great,

    Jazzy is leaving today Lucky DuckAnd of course Skittle I hope well for u'r DH.

    I'm still in hermit mode geeze I've been here the longest, Markat u'r way ahead of me, but I don't work at all. Well even If I weren't hermitting I'd still be here cuz we've been together a while and i care.

    So I hope everyone has a good Monday Funday GRRRRR

  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 2,726

    Thanks Cammie, you are a wise woman and of course I am trying not to use it...but actually just put it back on.....

    Skittle, thanks for your advice also, and vanilla and choc which I got to make black and white milkhakes....

    hey Mark...

    There are 2 kitten strays in the back yard, any ideas on how to get them, DD#2 wants 1 and I want the other one. Then I will need advice on how to train them, when I get one....I never had a cat before, actually didn't even like cats til lately...

    I treasure you guys!!! HUGS!!!

  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 2,726

    thanks Teka!!

  • slickchickie17
    slickchickie17 Member Posts: 78

    Blondie, put out some cat food & water!!! If you feed them, they will come! But take 'em straight to the vet first!

  • spookiesmom
    spookiesmom Member Posts: 8,178

    Can you borrow or rent a humane trap from an animal shelter? Bait it with some yummy food? Then transport to vet?

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Blondie Teka's right but if u keep on feeding them they will come back and 1st thing is a vet in a cage and got from there. We'll walk u thru it after it's so easy and they can be so loving, my Katie-Kat is always with me and sleeps with me and cuddles alot--but she is not an outside cat--my cats were never outside cats, just cuz I preferred that. One thing they pretty much take care of themselves

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Teka i agree that's why I said in a cage that they walk into, ot putting them in. My cousin got cat fever a few yrs. back he was really sick. I had never heard of it before but it can be brutal.And that's one of the reasons I don't let my cat go outside I don't want her bringing things in like they do. ick

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Teka u are unique SmileWink

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Teka hahahahaha sorry

  • camillegal
    camillegal Member Posts: 15,711

    Teka plenty for u (((HUGS)))