How do you say 'Ouch!'....


Yesterday I was sitting in a parking lot chomping on a McDonald's Cheeseburger. I parked in such a way I can observe traffic in front of me. I know, you're saying 'this guy needs a life' but, I assure you, I was only parked there to finish my lunch. Watching traffic, is better than staring at a brick wall, so that's why I was watching passing cars. Directly across the street is a Burger King Restaurant. It's lunch time and cars are pulling into the parking lot. Not very interesting, I know but, wait, it gets better. 

Along comes a new white shiny SUV. The woman driving has a cell phone up to her ear. She's waiting for traffic to pass so she can make a left turn into the Burger King parking lot. Making a left turn with a cell phone against your left ear will impair your vision. How do I know this? Well, she makes her first left turn into the parking lot, then attempts another left turn to reach a parking spot. Problem is she didn't see the island that separates the parking area form the parking lot entrance. Consequently, she doesn't see the very large decorative boulder sitting squarely in the middle of the island. Unbelievably, she drives over the curbing, up to, and onto the boulder with the driver's side tire. The tire literally climbed the boulder and stopped, perched atop it. The boulder is at least two feet tall and has no intention of moving. The front fascia, the lower front end of the car body, buckles and twists upon impact with the boulder. Now she decides to back off the boulder. The fascia again buckles, twists and finally rips off the car. it hangs on only by the wires that connect the front turn signals.

During the entire time she never put down the phone. However, now I could tell she was calling her insurance company. Not easy to see now she is going to blame this on the boulder. After a considerable time on the phone, she exited the car and inspected  the body damage. She wiggled, pushed and kicked the fascia...I think she was upset! She then took photos of the car and the boulder with the phone. Once she was satisfied, she got into her car and drove away. She never did go into Burger King...guess she'd lost her appetite. I waved to her as she drove off...I think she waved back..at least, I think it was a wave!  (-;

Today I'm lunching at Ruby Tuesday's restaurant. My wife and I are seated close to a window that looks out on the main road. It's a four lane road clogged with traffic. On the opposite side of this road we spot a young girl that waitresses at this restaurant. She's attempting to cross the road and come back to work. She navigates the traffic until she reaches the last double lane. Traffic halts to let her pass. She starts to run but, as she does, she waves a thank you to the stopped drivers, momentarily losing concentration. At the same time she steps onto uneven pavement. In an instant she stumbles and is catapulted forward and downward. She lands spread-eagle on the pavement. Her face is only inches from smashing into a granite curbing. Items in her hands go flying, including her cell phone. Slowly she regains her composure, stands and walks into the restaurant. looking back to where she fell, there is her cell phone on the side walk. Traffic is held up by a traffic light. Many in the cars are eyeing the phone on the sidewalk. At the same time a couple of kids, sitting with their parents, ask if they can retrieve the phone and give it to the waitress. They run out together and get the phone. They are beaming with satisfaction when they return it to her.

I had a chance to talk with her before we left the restaurant. She ended up with a few scrapes and was a little sore but, considering how hard she fell, she was lucky. Her biggest concern was her new cell phone. It was the new Iphone 4S. She had just purchased it earlier this morning. It smashed and would need to be replaced. Mom and dad would be springing for another one!! She didn't mention the other injury...her pride but, that should heal quickly on it's own. My wife and I were relieved she was ok..very nice girl.

Jake T

Would we have to put him down?


It was imperceptible at first. Something was wrong but, it was difficult to pin point exactly what. He wasn't walking right. His stride was off and not in a straight line. Then quickly it happened. He wasn't able to control his hind legs. It's my daughter's nine year old German Shepherd 'Sambuca'. Prior to when this problem arose, everything seemed fine. 'Sammy', as we affectionately call him, was a robust happy dog. Now he can hardly stand, much less walk. It's disheartening to see him like this. Our family feels helpless. He's a large dog and weighs 100 pounds. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to carry him if need be.

It first appeared during a visit at the vet. During a routine teeth cleaning, my daughter asked the vet. to check his hind legs...his stride was off. After the exam It was clear something was indeed wrong. His reflexes weren't normal. The veterinarian told us he suspected a form of canine MS. Two recent visits to the Vet's office including two doses of anesthesia caused the disease to surface. She advised trying therapy and a few other treatments, one of which was Acupuncture. 

We were going to have to make a decision and soon. Sammy is a large dog and heavy. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to carry him outdoors each time nature called. His quality of life was in question. The dreaded thought of euthanasia began creeping in. Not an option we were willing to accept. About the same time we were agonizing over what to do, my daughter researched a place that built animal friendly wheelchairs. The company called 'Eddies Wheels', a small business in Massachusetts. We were there the next day. Sammy was put into a demo wheelchair and before he was fully strapped in, he took off across the yard with us running after him. Clearly, this would work. After a number of measurements, to assure a good fit were taken, we placed the order. In the interim, while waiting for Sammy's new chair, we took home a loner wheelchair. For the next week, while we waited for Sammy's new 'ride' he used it everyday. With the two other dogs we walked on a trail behind my house. He was able to keep up with the other dogs. In fact, except for a few minor roll overs, due to the rough terrain and sharp cornering, he did great. His front legs doing all the work while his hind end gets a free ride. His attitude improved instantly.

The word 'Acupuncture' came up again. Would this really work...  Especially on a dog? Paula found a veterinarian that specialized in this procedure. We made an appointment. The results were amazing. Within days, Sammy started regaining use of his rear legs. Shaky at first, he continued to improve to a point where he was able to keep up with the other dogs. Admittedly, up to the time we arrived for the initially Vet's visit I was thinking 'Black Magic', 'Voodoo' or something else. It was good to be wrong in this instance.

It's been about two years since this began. Sammy has done fairly well. He gets acupuncture treatments on a monthly schedule. He is able to walk unassisted. Most of the hard work is done with his front legs. Consequently, his neck and shoulder muscles have developed greatly. He literally climbs up stairs using the strength of his front legs. 

Now, my German Shepherd 'Zack' is ailing. He's showing discomfort in his neck, possibly a strain. Friday he's going to the Vet for Acupuncture...first time. Again, I'm carrying this 'skeptical' thing in my head. Even so, I'm going to try it on him. It's an alternative to drugs. It can't hurt...

Thinking about it...I have a little pain in my shoulder...maybe I could have the Vet stick a few pins in me while I'm there....nah.....(-;