https://www.facebook.com/100001265763733/videos/948478270076192/
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Tort Baby, why?
Tort Baby, why? Why are you climbing the wall? 😂😂😂
He is so unashamed. Look at his face. 😂
I have felt like crap for days.
I have felt like crap for days. I think it's a combination of residual "getting over the stress of the last thing I posted" + PMS + a slight allergy acting up.
I never heard back from the person in the dog situation, although they did read the message as soon as I sent it. I know they probably feel so let down.
When they called and told me that I was their plan I said that I understood and would do my best. I don't do great with confrontation and I was hopeful that I could help. Getting the message that I can't must have been a rough blow, but after days of consideration and racking my brain and talking to you all about my options it became apparent that I didn't have any choices that kept us all safe. I'm still sad about it for the sake of the dogs, but I know that this, like Oreo's situation was, is beyond my control. Sometimes life is hard like that.
Thank you all for being there for me. ❤️
Saturday, April 27, 2024
I had stress dreams last night...
TRIGGER WARNING: Mention of animal abuse.
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I had stress dreams last night and I've been messed up all day from it.
I took 800mg of Ibuprofen when I woke up this morning for the tension headache I was greeted with. I went back to sleep until it eased off enough that I could shower. I finally did that around 1 pm and DoorDashed some food around 3.
I've felt so brain-foggy and fatigued with a lingering headache all day.
Here it is bedtime and I just took more Ibuprofen because I still feel like crap.
The reason for the stress dreams is that I have a "friend" who's dying. They have been in hospice care on and off for the last 3-ish years. This person has 2 unsocialized, large breed dogs. One with a bite history, both with a history of fighting/killing smaller animals. And I was told recently that when this person finally drops dead I'm expected to take a 6 hour trip to go and pick these dogs up. Then I can "do my foster thing or whatever. As long as they don't end up as yard dogs."
This person has alienated pretty much all of their friends and family from them due to drug and alcohol abuse. We reconnected after they were already dying of cirrhosis, so I guess I missed out on them at their worst. I've visited them a few times (upon their request/guilt trip - never because I wanted to drop what I was doing and drive half a day or a whole day to see them).
I think that the dogs are poorly managed. They are house trained. They know "sit." The male is not neutered and goes through stages of being disobedient/headstrong and peeing indoors. That's about all of the training they've had. Other than that, they are used to being yelled at and kicked and otherwise treated poorly despite their "inside dog" status.
Every time I've visited this friend, the dogs immediately take to me. A few months ago I helped this dying person move from Arizona to Texas and it was awful. Instead of managing the dogs, the owner was more than happy to beat and yell at them for doing the wrong thing. For inching closer in the moving van despite being unrestrained. For pulling the leash when we tried to walk them. Stuff like that. I hated it and I told this person I was never going to help them again because of it. I don't take animal abuse lightly. (I never saw this happen on previous visits. I get that moving is stressful, but that's just not acceptable to me no matter what.)
This person is currently "disappointed" that I won't move them and the dogs from Texas to Alabama. But like... I have a family. I have a job. I paid for the rental van and hotel and gas to move them on the first trip and they never paid me back despite saying they would. I can't afford to do it again even if I wanted to. Not only that, I had to DoorDash boxes and tape to them so they could pack, and I ended up loading the van mostly by myself. This person is definitely sick and not doing well, but damn. That was a strain in so many ways on me.
So I'm stressing about when this person dies. I am not bothered by the fact that they are actively dying. It happens to all of us and they have had more than enough time to stop drinking and whatnot if they wanted to live. They made their choice. Repeatedly.
My concern is the dogs, obviously. I think that in the right homes they would do well. The female (a Heeler mix) is spayed and older. She's ornery and a little overweight. She has hip problems. She likes to swim. When we were at the hotel she asked to sleep with me so I helped her onto the bed and she stayed there with me all night. I feel that it's telling she didn't sleep with her dying owner, but then again I had just witnessed her get the shit kicked out of her when she got out of the van for being excited and pulling the leash (despite not being leash trained, ever).
This dog has bitten people and fought other dogs. But I really think those things happened out of poor management. I don't know how risky it would be to place her into another home (with everything I know disclosed, of course). If I didn't have to take Shaun and the kids' feelings into concern on the matter I would try her here. I would crate and rotate if necessary. Unfortunately, no one here is comfortable with trying it and I get it. I just fear that she's not adoptable due to many factors and I hate it.
The male dog (a LARGE bull dog breed) is a big goober. He is playful with other large dogs and friendly to people. He's 8 years old. I think he would be adoptable into the right home (one with no small animals). He definitely needs to be neutered. He hates water. He drools. He's cock-eyed. He's got a big, meaty head and just wants to be loved on. He's somehow quite charming despite my lovely description. 😂 I think he could find a home - just not ours because we have cats.
I don't know what to do. I don't know when this person is going to die and dump all of this responsibility on me. I don't have a plan for when it happens. I can't contact rescues and ask that they hold a spot for some dogs I'll eventually inherit. I am not in Alabama anymore where I have rescue contacts to help me network. Literally the only thing I can think to do is to pick them up and hope a shelter near me will take them.
They are not welcome guests (neither the dogs nor their owner) where they live now. The person did that to themselves, so again - no sympathy from me on that. But the dogs... The dogs didn't ask for any of this and I'm really not sure how I can get them a decent outcome from this shit show.
Thank you in advance for any ideas you might have because obviously I am stressing the hell out. Stress is a migraine trigger for me and I need solutions or I'm not going to be ok until this person dies and these dogs are dealt with.
Edited to add: I sent this person this message. I already feel so much better. I was wrecked without even having the dogs. This is just not possible for me.
Last night's photo was in the dark with the flash.
Last night's photo was in the dark with the flash. I think this one is better. She had them fully open today. I would love to see a pollenator visit her. ❤️
She bloomed last year, as well. When I compare the photos these newer flowers are much more vibrant (and rounded). I wonder if that's because she's getting actual sunlight rather than just sun through our southeast facing window. I didn't know that bloom colors could change like that.
Friday, April 26, 2024
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Tragic.
Tragic.
I dropped my chocolate truffle.
That, yes - I was eating for breakfast.
Don't judge me.
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Not me out here...
Not me out here monitoring all the things about my plants and mixing my own soil and looking into shade cloth for when it heats up. 👀
I wish I knew what it was like to have a casual interest in anything. I guess I'm just a passionate person. 😂😂😂
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Monday, April 22, 2024
Look at Bear and his "collection."
Look at Bear and his "collection."
A ball, a litter scoop, his rope toy, and a piece of firewood.
😂😂😂
I traded him a chew for the wood and the litter scoop. I got a pretty good deal. 😂
Good morning from here. ❤️
Good morning from here. ❤️
Just one today, but I jumped up so fast when I heard it!
Saturday, April 20, 2024
More blooms today!
More blooms today!
Me and Shaun were out and I saw a pretty plant on the side of the road. Shaun said it was probably a weed and I told him that was just a derogatory term for plants.
I think we shouldn't use that word to describe a plant. It's a plant who's trying to live - just like any other. If you don't want it, you're the one with a problem. Why should the plant be labeled because of that?
Anyway. Rant over. Here are some pics.
Friday, April 19, 2024
Look at this beautiful prickly pear.
Look at this beautiful prickly pear. Someone gave her to me today. I can't wait to get her planted. I'm so excited. ❤️❤️❤️
Aww. Yesterday must have been rough on Bear.
Aww. Yesterday must have been rough on Bear. Shaun had to put his harness on him while he was laying down. Had to roll him over and everything. 😂
He doesn't want to go! Just over here staring at the wall trying not to be perceived. 😂😂😂
Child, not every trip forever is gonna be a doctor's visit. 😂 I guess we'd better get him something good for lunch. 🤦🏻
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Look at this beauty.
Look at this beauty. I've had this cactus for a few years and it's my fault she's misshapen. At some point (probably when we were moving and unsettled for a few years) she wasn't getting enough light or something. Regardless, she's hung in there with me and now she's blooming! So many buds. I can't believe it.
We're done with Bear's surgery consultation...
We're done with Bear's surgery consultation. It's not good news.
His knees are bad; the right one is worse. His ACL might even be affected, but we won't know for sure until the day of surgery. He also has very evident arthritis and hip dysplasia. He's not even 18 months old! 🙁
We knew he was in pain, but we didn't know how bad things were. He almost never sits. He spins around until he's laying down. He obviously compensates for his hind end with his front. His gait is very stiff like he's already an old man.
So, surgery is scheduled for May 7th. We're doing both knees at once. It will keep him from having to recover from 2 separate surgeries and also save us a little bit of money. We're looking at $6000-7500 depending on the ACL and whether he needs an extra day in the hospital, but we adopted him knowing this was a possibility so it's fine. We'll deal with his hips after his knees because the knees are in worse shape and probably a larger source of his pain.
Here is our boy being completely unamused with this day. That's the grumpiest window-looking I've ever seen. 😂
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
I think it's safe to say that he feels better.
I think it's safe to say that he feels better.
Stealing socks and beating up paper towels and ripping boxes. That's more like it. 😂😂😂
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Shaun and Cub are sleeping downstairs...
Shaun and Cub are sleeping downstairs to keep an ear on Bear in case he has another urgent poo. My sweet guys. I love them so much. ❤️
Booger Bear isn't feeling well today.
Booger Bear isn't feeling well today. He's not being a heathen or anything - just laying here being good. That's how you know it's for real. 😕
He had diarrhea in his crate this morning before we woke up. He got it all over him and had to be washed. He was running wild with Cub last night, but he's not been himself today. I'm not sure what he could have possibly gotten into that upset his butt like that, but we're keeping a close eye on him.
I would apologize for my carpet, but I'm not. The baby is shedding and this is just what life looks like right now. 🤷🏻
I hope he feels better soon. It's been weird not having to stay after him today.
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Oh my gosh.
Oh my gosh. Tort Baby had to wait until JUST NOW to be fed today because we had to get groceries.
Look at him. Just look. In his hidey area with his head mashed against this rock. I feel like this is a tortoise tantrum. 😂😂😂
So... I have spilled over from having a plant cart. 😬😅
So... I have spilled over from having a plant cart. 😬😅 Thankfully, Shaun (somehow) saw that coming. 😂😂😂 Maybe my husbang knows me.
I used to have ~300 succulent species. It's not like I went on a quest to get back every plant I lost to the humidity in Talladega or the move. I didn't. My collection is more curated and still smaller than it was. But I really enjoy having a group of things to care for. I look at them every day. I get joy from pruning and watering and potting them. The colors and textures are like candy for my eyes. I like to watch them grow and change and bloom and make babies.
So, the cart. It's still full-ish, but there are also some plants we're acclimating to the yard because that's where they're going to live eventually. So far, everyone is doing well outside and I'm really happy about that. But we had to find a way to keep Bear out of them.
We had this kennel that we used to keep Rose away from the cats in Talladega. We didn't use it as a kennel, though. Instead, we built it and used it as a room divider. But now it's re-built into a kennel and that's where my plants live. It has a top covering that I can put on in the event of hail or too much rain. It's in a sunny spot in the yard right beside our patio, so I can water them out there while staying in the shade and not worrying about making a mess.
I can still cram everyone into the sunroom if I need to, but Shaun seems ok with the idea of a small greenhouse for me. I like that. Our sun situation is great. All it would need is a little bit of heat in the winter.
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| Plant kennel |
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| Top of my cart |
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| Bottom of my cart |
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| My Texas Nipple Cactus all divided up and settled in a much larger pot |
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| I don't know the name of this, but look at all of the blooms starting! |
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| One seller on Etsy sent me several cuttings of this for free. I potted them up and they rooted and bloomed! 💜 |
I'm watering my plants and I guess my helper tired out.
I'm watering my plants and I guess my helper tired out.
Gah, he's so cute with that little tongue peeking out. I just want to eat him up! ❤️
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Plants I bought from a plant show today.
Plants I bought from a plant show today. I'm so excited. I got a small Aloe Vera, a Spider Aloe, some cacti that I could put in the ground eventually (I really love the spikes on all of these), a Desert Rose, and this giant naked prickly pear pad. I guess this species just doesn't grow spines. Too cool!
Me and Shaun had a date/outing today.
Me and Shaun had a date/outing today.
We went to The Owl Cafe - Albuquerque, NM for lunch and it was good. They gave us a free sample of their green chile beans and they were so awesome! We had "cheese poppers" which were like small mozzarella sticks, kind of... but they were all spiced differently so you never knew how spicy yours would be. 😂 I liked that. Also, check out their milkshake menu - specifically the bottom left 2 flavors. That might be the most New Mexican thing I've ever seen. 😂😂😂
Then we went to the Albuquerque Garden Center for the New Mexico Cactus and Succulent Society exhibition and sale. They had some beautiful specimens! I'm only posting a few of my favorites from the show. I could post tons of pictures, but nobody would look at that. 😂 I also bought a few plants for myself that I'll post in my plant album.
So far it's been a great day. I'm chilling for the moment, but will be potting up some plants in a bit. Happy Saturday! ❤️
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| We didn't know it until after we ate there, but scenes of El Camino were filmed here. |
Friday, April 12, 2024
OMG.
OMG. I just got one of my succulent orders and I am DYING at how precious the packaging is. Each plant came labeled in a little bag. They all had paper material to cushion them and were wrapped in a paper towel inside their bag. No dirt anywhere. Just the plant in all of its rooted glory.
Unpacking them was so clean and I didn't have to go back and try to find out what each plant was supposed to be.
If Twisted Succulents hadn't got me with their selection of plants, this packaging and the roots on these babies would have.
I said that I was done buying plants, but I honestly don't know if I'm gonna be able to stick to that now. 😅
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