Spring is the season of rebirth and hope. We know that warmer weather, sunshine, and growth are not so far away.
Zekie
It was so nice this afternoon, nearly 60 degrees, that I took all six dogs outside to sit on the patio and soak up some sun. Zekie took the opportunity to sniff scents in the air.
He also spent time just enjoying the sun.
Cassius & Baxter
And here we have Cassius and Baxter on border patrol, guarding the fence.
Shelby and Nikki spent most of their time sleeping in the sun too. Just a preview of things to come as the weather warms.
Shelby had her annual health check at the vet’s yesterday. She received her booster shots. Her fecal check was negative. Her heartworm check was negative.
And the portion of the test for Lyme disease was only faintly positive. This was a relief to me as it was strongly positive the past couple of years and she had a flare up the first year she had it that required a second round of antibiotics.
So, just a reminder that tick season will be right around the corner. (Ticks can transmit Lyme disease.) Stock up on those preventatives. You may want to do some research first, or ask your vet to recommend a preventative. Ticks have shown resistance to some of the products that I have used. I understand that fleas can also develop resistance to certain products. Be prepared!
I took Shelby to the vet for her annual health check up today, so she could continue with therapy dog visits. We visit at nursing homes and residential care facilities. The check up is good for one year, and visiting can only continue if all records are current. No problem. (Shelby got her tests and inoculations and passed everything with flying colors.)
I looked at my emails when we got home. I had one from the certifying office strongly recommending all visiting be suspended until there is more knowledge about the coronavirus. The office will be sending out this recommendation to the facilities that we visit also.
I understand. We all want what is best for everyone involved. Better safe than sorry. I just found the timing to be ironic. We were preparing for work that we are now, not able to do. But never fear. When this is resolved, we will visit again!
I was a substitute teacher for a different kindergarten class today. I loved it! These kids were great. They were pleasant and responsive when I asked them to do things.
Most importantly, I feel like I made a difference. Some of the kids were looking for acceptance and approval and I was able to give them that.
One little boy needed help down from a piece of playground equipment because he had climbed too high.
And I was there for the poor little boy who was in tears at lunch. A boy put his hand up at lunch and he and another boy waved me over. They were first or second graders. They told me their friend was crying and upset. I asked where he was because I didn’t see any little boy crying. Turns out he was under the cafeteria table.
I asked what was wrong. The boy choked out that he turned around to talk to a boy at the table behind him, and one of the other lunch monitors yelled at him. I told him that it was very loud in the cafeteria and perhaps the lady was frustrated because of this. I suggested that he could talk to the person behind him some other time and talk to the boys at his table right now instead.
The upset little boy still had tears running down his face and trouble speaking because he was crying so hard. He tearfully told me that no one wanted to be his friend or talk to him. By now, the boy sitting beside him had had his arm around him for some time. I told the crying boy that I thought he did have friends that cared about him. Two boys had been concerned enough to call me over to help. And they had been watching with concern and trying to interpret to me what happened. The boys all looked at each other and smiled. Things were looking up as I patted the upset little boy on the back and walked away.
I checked back about ten minutes later. Things seemed to be going pretty well. The boys seemed to be getting along. I had the feeling that all the boys did care about each other. Still, I thought I would share a joke I had learned from another kid at school. What does a duck eat? Quackers! The boys cracked up with laughter.
The boy who had originally been so upset laughed with glee. I had the feeling that I was exactly where I was supposed to be today. Making a difference.
Subbing has been an up and down journey for me this week. Yesterday, I had decided I was never going back! My subbing assignment was for a full day as intervention specialist at the high school level. Since I had enjoyed this position at the elementary level, I thought high school would be fine too. Not so much!
Some of the kids were interested in doing their work and just needed a little guidance, or maybe some quiet and structure. Some were so interested in being cool that they didn’t get much done. They were probably afraid that the assertive kids would heckle them for wanting to do their work.
And then, there was that one kid who outright refused to do any work. When he told me he didn’t have a computer and I made a phone call so he could go get one, he said, I’m not doing it. Ok then. This is also the same kid who wanted to have a political discussion with me about who is the best presidential candidate. Not going there. And he managed to mention the word penis and get some of the other boys saying penis for three periods in a row. I finally asked him if he was having a problem since he kept making penis references. He did stop after that. This was about the time I decided I was never going back and that I wasn’t cut out for this teaching thing.
Then, this morning I kept getting notifications that the system needed subs. They had around seven teachers out. I’m not even sure they have that many subs. And I began to feel guilty. They needed me and here I was sitting at home. So I took a half day job. At least it was some help.
So, this afternoon I taught kindergarteners for the first time. They were awesome! You can probably tell that the photo above is from today with the kindergarteners. They are loud and talk a lot, but it’s because they don’t know any better. Some of the older grades I have taught are loud and talk a lot but it’s because they don’t care or are being belligerent.
We used scissors, glue, pencils, and crayons. We added, colored, read, and played games. Wow, most of it was fun. I always thought I did better with older kids, but I may have been wrong. I really enjoyed this age. They were innocent and at least tried to do what I asked.
I will definitely be teaching kindergarten again. In fact I am signed up for another class of them tomorrow!
It’s been a while since I’ve given an update on Zekie. I realized recently that it’s because he hasn’t been as much trouble.
In fact, if we don’t take him on walks, he’s barely any trouble at all. We do have the mega security crate for when we go away and leave him home. I wouldn’t want to chance this without that crate. It has been a life saver. Literally.
But when we are around home, Zekie’s worst behavior is licking the floor, or the dog bed, or my pants. His insecurity manifests this way. You can’t scold him for licking. Since it is a result of insecurity, the more you tell him to stop, the worse it gets. A squirt bottle does help a little. Both result in our house getting wet though.
Zekie has improved to the point where we can go outside for bits of time and leave him loose in the house. If my husband goes to his workshop or to get wood, he takes Zekie with him since he is good on these trips. He can even spend hours in the workshop with power tools running.
Zekie is still leash reactive during walks. He does pretty well with walkers now, but still barks ferociously at other dogs. Even though he is fine with other dogs coming in our house.
Whenever we are inside, Zekie causes no trouble. He no longer gets into things. He doesn’t chew inappropriately. He doesn’t steal our things. He no longer jumps onto the dining room table to watch us through the window when we go outside. He does lay on the back of the couch beside the door to wait for our return, but this is rather endearing.
We first noticed Zekie’s improvement when we got our new foster dog about a month ago. It was the new dog stealing and chewing things and barking at us. When someone improves their behavior ever so slightly over a long period of time, it is not readily noticed. This has been the case with Zekie. He’s not perfect, but what an improvement.
1. Christmas at Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop-Jenny Colgan
Rosie & the village of Lipton have many adventures and discoveries over the holiday season.
2. How To Give Up Plastic-Will McCallum (Non-Fiction)
The many ways that plastic affects our planet, particularly our oceans, and ways to lessen its impact.
3. So You Want To Start a Podcast-Kristen Meinzer (Non-Fiction)
After reading this, I know that I do not want to start a podcast. So, worth the read.
4. Window On The Bay-Debbie Macomber
Friends Jenna & Maureen are life-time best friends. Single women who support each other over the years and each finds a new love.
5. The Guest Book-Sarah Blake
A saga of three generations of the Milton family in New York & summering in Maine. This book was a little hard for me to follow. I found it to be more trouble than it was worth. Not a bad book if you’re up for a challenge.
6. Dying for Devil’s Food-Jenn McKinley
Cupcake shop owners Mel & Angie have to figure who killed the mean girl at their class reunion.
7. Winter at the Beach-Sheila Roberts
Jenna, manager of the Driftwood Inn, is in charge of the winter festival by the sea. Mayhem ensues as a winter storm hits at the time of the festival.
Magazines-
Issue of Woman’s Day-Fall 2019
Bark-Summer 2019
Bark-Spring 2019
If you needed to pick only one of these books to read, I would recommend #2 How To Give Up Plastic. I learned so much from this book, and I think I am fairly environmentally conscious. Did you know that micro plastics that cause harm are not just microbeads and plastics that are small to start with? Larger plastics can break down into smaller and smaller pieces, becoming micro plastics. I also learned that people with certain disabilities require straws to be able to drink. They need straws that are more environmentally friendly.
Check back at the beginning of April to see what my March reads were
My husband went to church. I stayed home and made chocolate, chocolate chip pancakes, drank coffee, and watched a couple episodes of Hoarders. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And I always feel like less of a pack rat after watching Hoarders. It even motivates me to get rid of a few things. Reminds me of that whole “There, but for the grace of God, go I” thing.
By the way, the pancakes are just the recipe from the Bisquick box, with about 1/4 cup of baking cocoa, a tablespoon of sugar, splash of vanilla, and a few chocolate chips thrown in.
Sanctuary Acres 