5C's Que Pasa

…one step at a time, one day at a time.  One hug at a time.

Hugs is certainly what Carmeh needed last night.  The forecast was for a storm, oh but what an intense storm it was.  The skies were totally lit up with lightening and of course the thunder was deafening.  I certainly felt one extremely close strike as my bottom vibrated on the lounger.  The news called it “The Perfect Storm”.  Not sure exactly why, probably because of the 40mm of rain that fell in a short time which protected the area from forest fires.  There were close to 400 strikes in less then 3 hours and 18 of them in downtown Kelowna in less than 10 minutes.  An entire road caved in and has to be rebuilt due to this system.  There were 6 wildfires, 22 situations of flooding and many power outages.  The sky was magnificent with all the electrical arcs.  However I was dealing with Carmeh, one extremely frightened 8 year old doxie.  She was petrified.  I know that many animals get upset during storms and fireworks.

Once when she was very young we had a major breakdown somewhere between Puerto Escondido and Acapulco in almost the middle of nowhere.  It was very jungle like which was fine but when we finally got towed into a small village, about 10PM  ( for those in the know, the Pemex held 4 cars), is when the trouble started.  It was the Friday night of a major religious celebration and the fireworks were going off loudly and in every direction.  This went on for hours and hours.  Poor Carmeh was frightened but we were unable to deal with her as one of us was with the RV and the other with the car.  She was in the RV but alone with a tiny puppy.  Thinking back this is where her intense aversion to these loud noises must have begun.  There also was no place for the dogs to to their business other than in the midst of this chaos on hard packed dirt.  They didn’t empty their bladders for close to 2 days.  Meanwhile us adults were a bit stressed as the RV was right on the edge of the highway and we swayed with each passing vehicle.  I will never forget that night nor will the dogs, I’m certain.  When I finally got back inside the RV about 1AM I could not find Carmeh and panicked.  She was found hiding underneath the gas peddle.  Later I found her trying to get under the RV toilet.  Poor thing.  Caeli, who was a puppy at the time is not as affected but reacts more to Carmeh’s discomfort rather the noise and begins to shake.

So here she was at the worst of Wednesdays' storm hiding under the toilet. Finally we were able to coax her out and spent the rest of the evening giving her lovies.

I felt so bad for the girls that I went online for a solution.  Google always seems to have the answer.  There are now thunder shirts for dogs.  The shirt acts as a gentle pressure on the dog creating a sense of calm.  If you saw the movie Temple Grandin, you will remember how she developed a theory that is used today to help calm people as well as animals.  The shirts are $36.00 and can be used in a variety of  other problem areas with dogs.  I will be ordering two of them as soon as we head south!

I wonder if someone makes thunder shirts for humans?  Of course not, that’s what hugs are for!  Hugs to all my friends out there.

Tags: pets

I think that describes me these past few days.  Certainly the stock market has had an affect on my mood.  I am realistic enough to realize that it’s not worth obsessing over but still it is unsettling.

I have had two emails in as many days, one advising the passing of distant friend due to cancer.  I will always remember Judy as vibrant and with the big smile she always sported.  I helped her get a job a Air Canada which opened the world of travel to her.  We even bought a townhouse and lived side by side for a number of years.  I remember one great week we spent just the two of us on a beach in Antigua.  Rest now my friend.  The other email was from friends who gave up special time in their lives to come  back from Mexico to be with the widow of a dear friend who suddenly passed.  Life can be unsettling.

I am always tired these days.  I have many new exercises to do, not always easy.  For the past few nights I can’t settle in my bed.  I see all the work my garden is begging me to do which I can’t.  Even the new tree on the beach site seems to be giving up.  It’s withering up and the leaves are falling.  Yes we have been to the nursery about it, one says not enough water, another says too much water.  Meanwhile the tree is suffering.

Not depressed but unsettled.  My desk and business work is calling me and I ignore it.  I should be planning our trip south but don’t have the energy.  I couldn’t even write a post yesterday.

Yes, unsettled is my state of mind…..this too shall pass.

Tags: friends, health

The latest in treats for your dogs.

The packaging claims that “your dog will love our long lasting, all natural beef muscle chews”.  A friend had purchased two of these as a treat for our girls but as Carmeh has severe food allergies we wanted to check it out with our vet first.  The first thing Dr. Susan said was ‘bull penis’.  She says that is what these are.  I went onto the products website and  it says not much more that what you see above. They do come in a variety of widths and lengths. Dr. Susan says she has given them to her own dog on occasion.

Hmmmm, not for my girls but thanks anyway.

Tags: Funny, pets

$10.00 for this huge boxful.

The cherry crop has been late this year due to the weather ( or lack of weather ) we’ve had, but the wait has been so worth it.  Each bite is sweet and juicy.  Soon we will be devouring local blueberries, peaches and apricots.  Just another great benefit of living in the Okanagan.

Happy 8th birthday to Carmeh today!  We are all so enjoying our week of 32C and sunshine.

Tags: food, Kelowna

If you are taking a road trip through Mexico, whether by car or RV, one number you should keep handy is for the Green Angels.

Green Angels (Ángeles Verdes)

Call 078 from any cell phone or TELEMEX phone booth to ask for help and road-side assistance from the Green Angels.

Radio dispatch will send a truck with bilingual mechanics to assist you.

The Green Angels’ services are FREE.

There is no charge for their service, just for parts, gas and oil if necessary. Tips, however, are appreciated.

If you need assistance during the day and don’t have a phone, pull over to the side of the road and raise the hood of your vehicle. The Green Angels patrol the highways from dawn to dusk and will stop if they see that you need assistance.

Services provided by Green Angels:

• Mechanic assistance and emergency radio communication. Drivers carry gasoline and motor oil as well as spare tires and parts for minor but important repairs.
• Aid in case of accident. Trained in CPR, they can administer first aid in the event of an accident or medical emergency.
• Advice and information on the destinies (maps), services and tourist attractions of the state and regional.

Federally funded initiatives like the Green Angels show the government’s commitment to tourist safety, security and well being and provide peace of mind to motorists driving on Mexico’s toll roads.

For more information, see the Green Angels website or the Secretary of Transportation’s (SECTUR) website (both are only available in Spanish).

Read more: http://www.whatsupsancarlos.com/green-angels-mexico/#ixzz1UGxv58C6

Tags: Mexico