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29th November 2008
Melina Francis Thieme - Baby Girl - 6 lbs, 11 oz, 19 inches, 2:41 p.m. 11242008 1 reply
It’s official - I no longer need to sleep for the rest of my life. It’s 3:43 a.m. and I’m beyond exhausted - but there is a new good reason - Melina has arrived, a bundle of joy, as of 11/24/2008.
The c-section was rough - I don’t know which would be harder, c-sec or vaginal delivery. But c-sec is not for the faint of heart. Lilly, my sister in law, was there, holding my very tightly clinched hand through the entire surgery. She is a nurse and handled seeing blood without problems.
I’ll update and fill in gaps more, but since I have little time before Baby Girl Melina wakes up.
Melina arrived at 2:41 p.m. EST, 11/24/2008, weighing just 6 lb, 11 oz, measuring 19 inches. All tests came back normal.
However, by Tuesday evening, it appeared she was getting jaundice. We ended up not coming home until yesterday.
Now, I’m trying to get through the first day/night/weekend with my little tiny girl.
C-secs are no fun to recover from - major abdominal surgery (often two incisions are involved - one you can see, another underneath) - add to this, exhaustion, learning to breast feed, waiting for milk to arrive, transitioning Melina to formula due to neo nazi lactation consultant, my breaking down and crying, and then finally breast milk arriving Friday only to have Melina wonder what the heck she should do with breast milk, when she’s got free flowing easy formula crack that the lactation consultant imposed on Wednesday afternoon.
Anyway, more on all these topics - but we’re home. She’s tiny, fragile and beautiful. I’m quite smitten - will be online tomorrow.
24th November 2008
Hours Away from Delivering Baby Girl Melina
It’s 1:24 a.m. and I’m due at the hospital by noon. I’m delivering Melina today. As I write in the most comfortable spot I can get into, she is quite active in my womb. It’s her last night inside this warm, cozy place. Maybe she’s ready to take on the world, if she’s anything like her Mom. Her movement the past day or so is whole body movement - she stretches across the tummy. She is still breech, but I believe she has dropped a little the last three or so days. I can see my rib cage again at the top of my sides. And my lower back pain and sciatica has intensified.
When she stretches inside of me, it’s like she’s doing yoga. Her head stretches on the tummy wall, and then subsides. I feel her most when I’ve taken the time to sit down and prop my feet up. She seems to have a bit of a routine in utero at this late stage. I can’t believe I’m sharing the last hours with her inside of me. 38 1/2 weeks - of carrying a child inside of me. Such amazement at what the female (and now female turned male) body can do to support this growth that becomes a child. I am ready for this part of the fertility journey to end. I am as prepared as I will be for the next phase - life - outside the womb, in this world, and all its challenges. I am blessed to have made it this far in this pregnancy and fertility journey. There are so many women who have tried to get this far, and have not. I am lucky. God was kind to me.
It’s harder to move at this point - At this stage, you are just plain bigger than big. You’re huge. People get nervous when you go shopping - they’re afraid you’re going to break water, and force them to deliver a child, something they are hardly trained in doing. I feel and look much like a walrus - although thank God I don’t have those teeth hanging out of my mouth - ;-) A few less rolls too - but still huge, just huge.
So now, it’s time to focus on Melina’s arrival - her safe entry into this present world. I pray to God that she enters without trauma, that the doctors and nurses and staff are able to bring her into this world without complication. If complication occurs, I pray it’s minor and lasts only temporarily. I pray that I, her mother, am protected from harm during surgery and c-section recovery. I pray that I can support her as she needs in the coming hours, days, weeks and months, which God willing turn into years that pass us by. What grace we have to be healthy and sound mind and body. Even better to have a gracious heart that can give a person compassion - and that I can share this with Melina.
It’s time to turn in, to try to sleep - one last time before my life changes for the better, God willing. I thank God, friends and my family members who’ve made this easier on me - who’ve saluted my desire to have a child - regardless of their own personal opinions. I thank all who’ve checked in with me this weekend to see how I’m doing.
It’s showtime as some would say - I try to think not so much about the surgery as about the outcome - and by the time I’m retiring “tonight” Monday night, I am with child in my arms, or nearby, and I’m experiencing the most wonderful thing in the world - a healthy child, a healthy baby girl - a dream I’ve had for many, many years.
We’ll announce on www.twitter.com/bizresearchlmt for sure, and hopefully through www.twitter.com/laurathieme but the latter is not yet hooked up through my cell phone. For those of you who follow me through Facebook, it’ll also be announced there.
21st November 2008
The Work Day Is Ending - & I’m Getting Uber Excited 1 reply
I have one more phone call to go. It’s 6:25 EST and I’m getting excited. I can’t wait to settle into my Friday night, prop my swollen feet up, watch some silly TV (Ghost Whisperer & The Mentalist on CBS Tonight), and smile with thoughts of next week. Work is pretty much set - transitional stages and needs have been met, and I’m feeling a sense of calm come over me.
I did have to run to the doctor today due to that headache persisting for three days, and swollen feet. I have to take something prescribed by the doc to help me rest tonight, and stay off my feet. Yes, I am supposed to actually “act” like I’m a prego woman about to deliver my baby girl on Monday for the next 48 hours. I’ve had a flurry of activity over here today from people helping me get things done. It’s all good.
Just one more hour of work, and then I’m done for at least a week….. After that, I might check an email, but no work for a while - my staff can take care of my clients, vendors, etc. Everything will be okay.
A Week From Tonight - I’ll Be Home With My Baby Girl, Melina
Can you believe it? It’s officially Friday morning, but I’m counting this as still Thursday night - and yes, in one week I’ll be home with Melina, my first child, my first baby girl. As she stretches around in my belly, late at night, still high in the tummy and in breech position, I wonder what she’ll be like outside the womb.
People talk about “meeting her”. I can’t wait to hold her. I can’t wait to have that breastfeeding, motherly moment. I can’t wait to provide something to her that she needs, straight from my own body. God intended women to breastfeed and if we’re lucky, really lucky, the body works the right way in order for us to provide this. I talked to a pediatrician the other night, at an open house in Dublin for expectant parents to meet pediatricians. The doctor encouraged me to talk to the nurse about bringing Melina to me to breastfeed immediately, while in the delivery room. My OB says, the recovery room is fine - it all depends on the hospital, nurse and doctor - but I want to push for a latch-on in the delivery room. Of course, the latch could take a while, not just hours. But this time with her, next week, is going to be hard but wonderful at the same time.
I’ve been weepy for a week now. It doesn’t take much on TV, or something that goes my way for baby Melina to arrive next week, to set me off in a teary way. Good tears - don’t get me wrong. I’ve received a lot of help from so many people in the past nine months - in unexpected places mostly. I feel very privelidged to have this fertility journey come to a conclusion in the next few days. I am very lucky. Your well wishes about Melina being lucky are nice as well - but I have yet to prove that to her in my opinion. For now, I can say that I have benefitted most at this point. Because a dream I’ve had since I was very young, to be a mother, is coming true. I chose not to become a mother in my early 20’s, like many women do. I regretted that decision years later. But at 40, I am thankful, so very thankful for this opportunity. I hope I can provide her what she deserves. I pray she is healthy, and that my recovery is healthy as well.
Gratitude to God and to my friends is not enough, but all I can say is thank you to all who’ve read this fertilty journey from Day One, who’ve emailed me numerous times in support, called me, sent gifts, and continuously shared this passion, this desire of mine to be a mom. I thank God for giving me the wherewithall to have a child, to endorse science, and to allow me this path, this journey. Regardless of your personal beliefs, in my opinion and experience, you need God, science, and positive energy. You need to believe that it’s possible. And then you can’t give up when it doesn’t work the first time, the second time, or for me, the tenth time. If you believe, you keep trying, and keep believing, and then take care of you and your spirit within. It’s for all of these beliefs and energy over the past four years, that I’ve got this chance, this hope of meeting my daughter in just four days.
My tears well up, thinking of this moment. I can’t watch a baby being born on TV without crying now. What a moment you must feel when your child comes out of your body, and she makes her first noises, cries, and they pass her to you. Thank you for that moment, that expectation - I would have at times, thought it wasn’t possible with my body - as a single woman, but in a few days, I get to believe based on what I see in front of me for the first time. In the past, it was only hope, and now it will be reality.
While tomorrow is heavy work responsibilities, Saturday is work-related and finalizing things around the houe, cleaning, etc. - Sunday will be quiet time I pray - to reflect, to anticipate, to prepare for yet another physical journey, a c-section delivery, to bring Melina into this world. I seek your well wishes, your positive energy, your prayers on Monday and next week for both Melina and I. We pray for healthy mind, body and spirit for both of us.
16th November 2008
Back Pain Sets In
Tonight, I’m hurting, really hurting. The sciatica was bad yesterday but tonight, after a grocery store run to stock on things for weeks, my back pain has settled in to the lower back and won’t go away. There is no relief. I’m walking slow enough as it is, but I am not enjoying this. At the same time, as I settled into the glider & ottoman to try to sit up straight yet put my legs up, Melina stretched around inside and made me forget the pain for a few moments.
I thought for the first time last night of her not being inside of me. How strange that must be in the beginning - on one hand, you’re relieved to have a little less pressure (like 10 lbs of pressure weighing on various body parts) - on the other hand, it must be wierd to see her outside of you.
There is no comfortable position at this point. Every woman I know that has had children talks about how uncomfortable it is towards the very end - the part they do not miss.
I ran into a neighbor friend of mine tonight at the grocery store. She is getting excited about meeting Melina. She just had a baby at 35 or 36 a year ago. I remember the last couple of weeks for her. She was miserable. Two of the women in my childbirth class were miserable at the very end as well. But as my friend said, you forget about the pain when you see your baby. Okay, I’ve got work to do tonight. Unfortunately, work to do. At this stage, you do not want to work really at all -you’re uncomfortable and just want the time to pass.
There is just one week - I know - you keep saying that to me - but right now minutes seem like hours when the pain is bad. I actually wondered if I was going into labor - while water has not broken nor the plug - but the sacral back pain isn’t letting up. I guess grocery store runs and errands are about out of the question. Let’s hope tomorrow is a better day. I go for my last non-stress baby monitoring test and physical exam. The doc will tell me what he thinks.
11th November 2008
Two Week Countdown - Dr says Baby is Big!
Now what exactly does that mean - had my two week visit today - where they do non-stress test on Melina, and a rather uncomfortable physical exam. They test for B-strep I think - and check Melina’s heart rate, if they can get her to move, etc. Anyway, doc says things look good and we’re two weeks away.
The nurse also said I had some things going for me in terms of this c-section versus my last myomectomy surgery two years ago. She said that my c-sec would be easier the next few days to recover from versus the typical c-sec where women “labor” for 20 hours sometimes and then end up still having the c-section. I would go straight in, deliver Melina in several minutes - and then they’d sew me back up in about 45 minutes or so. If all goes well, of course. While I’d be recovering, I’d also have the adrenaline of recovering with my new daughter as opposed to the distraction and pain in pure recovery time from the last surgery. It also means that due to tiredness from being with Melina, my recovery time could be longer from that perspective.
In any event, I’m focusing less on the surgery now and more on the visualization of her being with me, breastfeeding, bonding, and ultimately coming home the day of Thanksgiving.
Melina’s Nursery; LT at 36 weeks (9 mos)Can you believe how big my belly is? Let me tell ya - that is one big tank of a belly - I’ve never been one to emphasize belly weight - I’d be more likely to gain it elsewhere. But, while I can see swelling and weight gain in my entire body - the tummy where Melina has grown is amazingly hard now as we enter the last two weeks. Discomfort reigns somedays - and then other days it seems livable. The doctor says the last couple of weeks are like this - that new discomforts and ailments are not unusual as the blood flow increases throughout the body, and we work hard to “fatten” Melina up for delivery time. Melina should be about 6 lbs by now, and 19 inches or so, depending on the source. The doctor doesn’t do an ultrasound to determine that - but in a physical exam today - I guess he could feel her and said, “She’s big!” So, what does that mean, Doc?
He wasn’t worried - only I am asking that question when I recap it to a friend of mine tonight. Why did I choose a donor of 6′2″? Seemed to make a lot of sense when you’re 5′4″ and your family is a little on the short side. I think the tallest man we have in our family is like 5′9″ maybe. Women tend to be taller than the men in some cases. So, I knew I needed to shake up my gene pool - and so I figured get a tall donor, skinny too - well moreso than me - do healthy things right?
But as I can no longer bend to do much of anything, as I feel Melina’s hard rock of a body inside of me, I can wonder if she’s going to be long/tall, or right on target for weight, etc. All I know is that her movement is stronger than ever inside, and her rolling sensations are really uncomfortable as she moves across the tummy line from one side to the next.
Well, it’s time to watch the late show - I have a meeting I can not forget about tomorrow - as I did last Friday, and a full day of projects tomorrow afternoon. I pray for a good night’s sleep in continued anticipation for what the next two weeks and beyond bring me/us.
7th November 2008
Final Two Weeks to Go - Last Days of Pregnancy
Boredom is not my problem. I read about the 36th week, and how boredom is sometimes a problem. They talk about how heavy you feel in the lower part of your abdomen - how the baby is righting herself for delivery - how at any time now - the baby could come. They talk about your growing discomfort - that she’s 6 lbs typically by now, and 20 inches - almost two feet of baby in my abdomen and six pounds plus fluids, etc. I’ve gained almost 30 pounds during my pregnancy, and let me say, I feel every ounce.
In the past week, Melina feels more like a baby moving inside of me, than a body part kicking here and there. Now the entire belly rolls as she moves about inside. Her space is limited and sometimes it seems as if her head is resting hard against my tummy’s skin and will just come straight out any minute.
I’m getting excited as we get into countdown mode here. Months became weeks - soon weeks will become days - days will soon become hours - and here she will be, in my arms, in front of me, here. I have packed the diaper bag and it’s in the car. The suitcase is almost ready - the remaining things I needed I got last night. The only thing I have yet to get - I’ve been to three places to get the car seat certified and no luck. “They no longer do that.” So, one more place to go, and then after that - it’s up to me to figure out how to knock that car seat down into the latches - 9 months pregnant and all.
I called four of my friends this week to help out, three who ran over immediately within hours to help. I was panicking about my “list of things to do”. I completely forgot an appointment today - two and a half hours later. I have misplaced my cell phone charger. Yesterday, on the way to the office, I figured I could charge the cell phone in the car - but then I misplaced the cell phone itself. Giggles. Ugh. It hurts to laugh now.
My belly button looks funny - kinda blue around the button part. I never got the outie that so many people have. I never got stretch marks either - yay. I’ve seen some scary ones in pictures. I got lucky. I never got hives or anything that made me seriously itch during pregnancy. My mom did with me she says. I have not cried incessantly for no reason. I’ve weeped for good reasons - like losing the twin early, early on, but I believe that God took good care of that baby’s soul inside of me. Otherwise, I’ve had a good pregnancy despite the typical aches and pains. Okay so I suffered and do suffer from insomnia but there is a lot to do around here. But really, pregnancy has been a journey of discovery about my body and what can go on inside of it. I was able to work out with a trainer twice a week during pregnancy up through mid-September. I’ve done prenatal yoga through YogaOnHigh, in Powell, Ohio, and I’ve not had any serious cravings or aversions during pregnancy. I finally in fact, got over the issue of c-section delivery which took months to deal with.
Now as Melina enters her final position (she’s been breech for a while) and final stages of womb life, and she and I get ready to meet, I feel excited about her arrival. I’ve come to admire all women who go through pregnancy, gracefully even moreso. I’ve come to admire those multi-tasking women who balance work and home along with children. And for those who do it with a smile on their face - amazing! ‘Cause it ain’t easy just getting through the pregnant part. It’s really hard by the way, on the fun side of things, to even concentrate during a meeting about high stakes business issues when your belly is moving about and your baby girl is moving across your bladder and r—–um. If you’ve been pregnant, you know what I’m talking about and it does NOT feel good.
The other day at the election booth - the guy said something about not believing I was 40 (he was 50 plus), and I told him, believe me, if you were to see me struggle to get out of bed with this big load of a belly, and see me where I can hardly even bend a ligament due to stiffness and pain - you’d think I was 80 years old. In fact, I’m sure I look 80 too. It does NOT look pretty or graceful, guarantee you. My cat of 18 years doesn’t even want to sleep with me anymore. Some nights, he just sits outside my door, on the steps, and looks at me when I wake up. Imagine Garfield saying, “Ew, Geez, get a shower or do something with that hair of yours.” I do not look as relaxed and slumbered as Monroe and my dog look below (see blog entry of November 5th).
My belly is so big now that I could swear my breasts have just all but disappeared. I mean I’ve gone up in sizes, up there, but they look a little lost next to the belly that extends almost 90 degrees out from below your chest margin. TMI - right? Yep - I hear ya! I’ve looked at nursing clothes - who would have thought, after so many years of hoping for a baby. I was in line last night at BabiesRUs and the woman in front of me somehow commented on how breastfeeding gave her boobs she never had before. She had a 7-month old child in her wake. It was kinda funny, because I actually noticed the very attentive 7-month old sizing up my belly. I mentioned it as being cute to the mom, who in turn said she’s probably noticing that my breasts look different than hers, the mother’s. Considering the mom had about a 40 Double D, like I’d even know, I imagined that was possible. But I laughed that a child would notice - why doesn’t she have breasts like you Mommy? In any event, I was convinced the child was looking at my oversized belly, not my breasts. Hee hee.
I’m now on a new kind of mailing list, despite my do-not-call, do-not-mail status. I’m getting catalogs for baby stuff, young child stuff - all for Christmas. I get to think about Christmas gifts for my baby girl for the first time in reality. Before they were just dreams and odd-placed children’s books I’d buy hoping for the day Melina would be here in reality.
So, as I occasionally retire to Melina’s lilac-tinted room at night, lightly illuminated by a tiny vintage pink miniature lamp, and turn on the sound machine and listen to the ocean waves (which by the way, I think, were the reason I was so busy dreaming about boats and ships of every kind - see earlier blog entry), I soon fall asleep peacefully and dream of her arrival. I may not sleep for long due to discomfort, but I have no problem falling asleep. One of the girls from work was over this week and said it felt very peaceful in the room - very calming. Considering I still have my office desk setup in the room, it’s amazing that despite office tech, a room can still emit a sense of calm knowing a young child is about to enter its presence and become the center of attention.
5th November 2008
Warm & Fuzzy Picture of the Day 1 reply
As you noted in my post from November 1-2, 2008, about animal rescue and cat/dog adoption from Wyandot Humane Society - this is proof that animals can be rescued from the wild. Lucky, the dog sleeping above, was running down the street in & out of construction traffic in Clintonville, OH - and has been a lot of work (serious amount of patience, training and patience) in the past year. I’ve had her almost exactly one year today. Monroe, the adorable tuxedo cat, well, he was rescued by my chow rescue dog, about five years ago (I’ve lost count) from a moving truck manifold/muffler. He is quite feral, quite scared of strangers and trusts 1-2 people, but he befriended Cody, my chow, immediately and now Lucky. When Cody died in February of cancer, after having lived 12 years of a much better life after being rescued (despite being a typical and difficult chow initially), Monroe was determined to make friends with this crazy Lucky dog. Now, they are quite close. Monroe rules Lucky most of the time. He’s a serious lover when it comes to dogs, though, and you’d never know that this is the same cat that runs and hides when strangers come knocking on the door.
Both are animal rescue success stories. I love seeing them cuddle like this. Honestly, many said that both of these animals, including Cody, were not “adoptable”. But they became amazing animals, and were all off the street, including Cody. Cody came to me because the humane society dog I adopted developed Parvo, then actually was stolen after she got better (possibly by a neighbor). I went on a three-month search for Baca, but found Cody instead. She was a mess when I first got her. She was surrendered by the dog owners’ parents to me. She had been surviving on squirrel, and cheetos donated by the neighbors at the time. But within time, and a helluva lot of work, Cody became a great chow rescue story.
Monroe came from the streets, as did Lucky. Bentley was an outdoor cat when he came to me. He’s become comfortable inside, although he still goes outside for dog walks with Lucky.
In any event, as I watched election coverage tonight on CNN, this was the picture that was unfolding near me - thought you’d get a kick out of seeing two animals enjoy companionship.
Interesting to be Pregnant, Ready to Deliver (Almost), and Watch Election Coverage of Obama, President Elect Tonight
It’s an interesting time to be expecting a child right now - as a woman, as a business owner, as a new, first-time mom-to-be. I have both hope and yes, some fear, of what the future holds for Americans and the planet’s outcome (being the environmentalist that I am). I hope people rally to make changes within their own lives, and are willing to make sacrifices at all levels, because in order to make change nationally and globally, we have to bring about change within. It’ll be interesting to watch markets unfold in the next day or so, domestically and internationally.
I have hope for baby girl Melina, as much as I have fear at times. But fear can be a strangle-hold for all who succumb to it. So, it is better to focus on the positive of what can be, and then work hard to make it a reality.
I feel relief in many ways - mostly because I don’t have to watch election coverage anymore, other than post-mortems from both sides - but also because the unknown is nerve-wracking at times, and the fight has gone on for so long here. Obama was nearly solemn tonight in his speech - we can say perhaps it’s a “holy camolis - now i’ve got to deliver on all those promises” - but more likely it’s a realization of the work ahead, and respect for not looking to over-celebratory.
I pray for our future, our business, our children - that we can sustain this hope into reality - that we can make changes at all levels as needed - that we can accept the changes we are unable to make (sounds like the Serenity Prayer, yes?) - and that some person, some idiot, doesn’t tear away that hope. I had bad feelings about Bhutto - I hope that Obama suffers nothing that mirrors what Bhutto and other trailblazers before her have suffered. I hope we are better than that as a society, as a country - I hope we can admire what worked, understand what didn’t, and move on to something better - because we can all say for sure - that we need something better than what we have today.
2nd November 2008
Wyandot County Humane Society Visit November 1, 2008 3 replies
I have been an animal rescuer of sorts for many years. Before me, it was my Mom rescuing cats. I’ve rescued many a cat, and taken in a few dogs a long the way, but mostly cats. I used to get my animals from the humane society or shelter, but in the last 10 years or so, animals seem to find me. I don’t have to go looking for them. Cats line up outside to be fed, at times. They received the memo, if you know what I mean. Recently of concern are dogs showing up on my doorstep. I have had two dogs show up recently, one of which I was able to return to the owner. The other, scared, confused, beautiful, would not come to me for long and I wasn’t able to stick around for long to coax him/her. I think dogs showing up on my doorstep is a bad sign - a sign of the economy - and a sign people aren’t taking care of their dogs, or are ditching them.
So yesterday, it’s probably not a surprise that I would drive my very pregnant body up to Upper Sandusky, OH and visit the Wyandot County Humane Society as a favor to a client, but also because I’m somewhat persuaded by animal love above people at times. It was actually a little stupid, because I ended up having to confine myself to bed with my feet raised above my heart last night. My ankles for the first time blew up like a balloon, especially my left ankle. I won’t be making that trip again any time soon, but I did this for the love of animals.
Black & White Tuxedo Cat - up for Adoption
In the Cat Room - Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Wyandot County Humane Society
Adorable Tabby Kittens for Adoption
Intake at the Upper Sandusky Wyandot Humane Society
as of November 1, 2008
Orange Marmalade Cat for Adoption
Upper Sandusky Wyandot Humane Society
as of November 1, 2008
Cat in Cage in Upper Sandusky, OH
Wyandot Humane Society
as of November 1, 2008Wyandot is a “no suffering” animal shelter. This is not to be confused with a “no kill” animal shelter. Regardless of your opinions about no suffering versus no kill, because I have a few of my own, I was impressed with the owners, Dave & Lynda, and the cat welfare that I saw there. Many shelters probably find it relatively easy to adopt out a kitten, but cats are harder. I am sure many older cats are euthanized, however, I saw many that were beautifully groomed, seemingly happy, and in rooms hardly cages. Yes, there were a few cats in cages, and lots in the intake area, and who knows what their fate will be - but many were in rooms where they all seemed to get along with each other. They had food, water, warmth, and seemed to be okay. I didn’t see one flea, nor did I see one fighting with another.
The dogs - there were two that were out in the yard seemingly happy, but I felt sincere concern for the ones I saw in the intake area, in cages. There were actually very few dogs compared to cats. The dogs - some looked pretty bad - there was a darkness in their eyes as if they truly knew what their fate might be, or is. I am not a fan of euthanasia in shelters, and certainly not a fan of euthanasia by gas (UGH), but also know the tremendous emotional and financial battle this must present to shelter owners who donate every waking hour and everything that they have. What do you do when ten people show up to surrender their cats, kittens, dogs, horses, goats, rabbits, and whatever else - in one night? If you won’t turn away these people, and you won’t request a deposit to limit the number of people who surrender their animals, what do you do? Do you have to euthanize the animals, do you try to raise more money, do you try to adopt them out - what do you do?
I’m personally glad I do not deal with these type of business, emotional and financial decisions every day. I could not handle it. There is a higher calling for people like this. Don’t get me wrong, I do my part at a micro level, in terms of helping animals. But I could not donate my life to saving animals, nor euthanizing those that I can’t save every waking hour of my life for 25 plus years. But Dave & Lynda have. I give them a lot of credit for that.
The economy is obviously hurting any charitable cause, including animal shelters and humane societies. If you’re wondering how you’re going to pay all the bills, and you get a call at 7 p.m. from someone asking for a donation, it seems almost laughable right now, I’m impressed if you still donate right now. While I have many affluent friends in high-tech jobs, who are highly educated and/or highly achieved in businesses around the world, I see even those people cutting back on luxury items, or some basic items in preparation for worse things to come. So, donating money to helping the local humane society is likely to be a tough sale right now. Humane societies can be hurting for money, and yet animal surrenders are up at the same time. People surrendering their animals because they are losing their homes, can’t afford taking care of them, or choose not to keep to their commitments of taking care of an animal.
Regardless of economic situations, I am not a fan of animal surrenders to shelters or humane societies. I don’t care what the reason is - if that animal has a chance of surviving in a rescue or foster organization/home, or elsewhere, I believe in taking care of that animal until a permanent home is found. I know that animal surrenders often end in euthanasia - and that I’m not a fan of. But I also see other people’s side on this too - ignorance is bliss on this one topic at times.
What I am a fan of - is animal adoption, animal rescue (dog and cat, or horse rescue), and making a commitment to that animal for its lifetime, and taking care of that animal as best as you can. When I hear about people willing to pay $800 or more for a bred dog, or cat, I think that’s crazy. There are rescue organizations and shelters that have purebreds that people decided they did not want anymore for whatever reason (like they ate someone’s shoe, or they peed in the foyer, or they just “didn’t have time anymore”) - that are next to free (less than $100 in many cases). You can adopt these animals after they are spayed or neutered, and ready for adoption.
For example, look at the St. Bernard up above - in the intake area on November 1st, at Wyandot Humane Society. Gorgeous dog - who knows if it’s AKC with papers - who cares - it needs a good home.
Here are a few more:
Another beautiful dog at Wyandot Humane Society
This dog needs rescued from Wyandot, eh?
What puppy dog eyes!
Dogs for adoption at the Intake Area
Wyandot Humane Society - Upper Sandusky, OHDogs have a way of staring right into your soul sometimes. Some do - and then if you can respect that ability - you can see what they’re saying. This one did just that. I’d like to honor this dog - and hope it gets adopted from Wyandot Humane Society - actually all of these but for the ones that know how to stare you down. You can’t blame them - they know they are likely to die anytime, any day soon.
I’ve seen dog eyes like this one before - this dog needs some love and some hope
Intake dog - there is some darkness in his/her eyes - I’ve seen before
A little prayer to St. Francis of Assisi for this dog - that it can have a chance
Romper Room Dog - Beautiful Blue Eyes - Puppy at Wyandot H.S.This one above - hopefully will get adopted on his eyes alone - beautiful blue eyes.
So, my plea goes out to people who have the financial ability to help the Humane Society right now, despite the economy, despite their own situation. If they can take in, and care for a dog or cat, then I suggest you check out www.wyhumane.org (you won’t find pictures there yet, but you can get contact information), or consider donating to the Wyandot Humane Society in Upper Sandusky. They have 150-200 animals at one time, and have a lot of expenses on a daily basis. Donations are down right now, and surrenders are up. It’s a tough situation.
Remember that animals, dogs and horses especially, are not typically wild and able to fend for themselves. Cats can fend for themselves outside, to some degree. They all need to be spayed and neutered. There are numerous animals that need love and attention, and it should not matter if they are AKC. Some of those very animals are then sent off to shelters because people are often too lazy to take care of their animals long-term. They like them when they are cute puppies or kittens, but less so when they eat your shoes or pee on your floor (something Cody dog below never did, but newest dog Lucky has done both).
Not to generalize here, but it’s some of us who are the problem in terms of the overpopulation of dogs and cats - some of us do not spay or neuter, some of us buy from Petland and puppy mills, and some of us are self-absorbed and not as concerned with our animals as we should be. Some of us opt for animals over children - and that’s a whole ‘nother issue or blog entry - but so many people need to respect the commitment to animals who become our pets, who become our family. They rely on us, solely from the day we take them into our hearts and home. Regardless of our schedules and occupations, animals are amazingly loyal if given the chance. They give so much, so much to us for very little expected in return. They need a warm, loving home, food once or twice a day, and a routine. They need affection in addition to the basics. That’s not much required for so much love in return.
Cody, my 12-year old rescue who died this February 2008
Monroe, who was rescued by my dog, Cody, is very alive todayI’ve created some 2009 calendars that I’m going to sell for $20 a piece, and I will donate 15% of the net proceeds to Wyandot Humane Society. Let me know if you’re interested. Do not order through Shutterfly, because it will cost more, and second, there will be no way to donate to Wyandot H.S. I’ll put up some additional 2009 calendar pictures tomorrow. These links are here for reviewing only, so you can tell me what you want - with or without captions, etc. But please do not order through the links on Shutterfly - it will cost us more and I can’t donate then to W.H.S.
Go hug your dog and take him/her outside for a walk. Go love on your cats and give them some affection!
1st November 2008
Sleep Deprivation 1 reply
Every parent I know, and observe, especially as their children are young, is sleep deprived. Before I got pregnant, I would occasionally suffer from this, but always recover. I’d have an odd sleep pattern on occasion but it usually surrounded SES conferences or something big at work. I’d always catch up though.
Since I’ve gotten pregnant, my sleep is wacked. Truly wacked. It’s not unusual to get 45 minutes here and there, two hours here and there. The idea of me doing something early in the morning, and staying up all day is unlikely. My body is telling me that Melina is coming soon - more than knowing the actual c-section date. I’ve officially succumbed to the waddle -
I tried to find an animated GIF of a duck tail waddling but have not been successful and considering the late hour and my early morning trip ahead of me, I figure I better stop looking for that.
I took two naps today, about an hour and a half each time, but my head feels like it’s expanding - it is hurting. I’m going to go to sleep, or try to. Sleep is no longer fun except for those 1.5 hour naps - when exhaustion takes over and sleep is definitely possible. The kind where you don’t move a bit once you’ve settled into a near-comfortable spot.
I can tell Melina’s movements are different now - I feel most of her, although her position seems to have stayed pretty much the same. I am getting her car seat certified/installed this weekend after a visit to a client’s colleagues site tomorrow. More nesting takes place, more things to take off the checklist.
I got the oil changed and was interested in the number of women in the Jiffy location. Both took one look at me and asked me how soon I’m due. Women are more than gracious - asking lots of questions and their faces simply light up. They always ask about the grandparents. Funny.
Okay, time to slumber or try to slumber.
