Friday, November 6, 2009

Who is the Queen?

Beth has always worn the crown in this court.

 

For too long I, Bonnie,  have been a lowly princess.

 


Little did she know I have been quietly awaiting the perfect opportunity to usurp her reign.




 The time has come for me to act.

 

With trusty Sgt. Ranger by my side. 

 


Ranger like all soldiers before him, defending our rights.  Today Ranger is called to action to help me obtain the crown. 




Fighting for my honor.

 


Ranger calls in the air strike

 


TAKE COVER! 
 



Beth didn't know what hit her

 


Kiss my paws.  

 


Doesn't the ermine in the cloak and crown look pretty with my fur? 




"What is up with this pointy hat on my head?"



"Where is my crown?"



I am wearing the crown Beth.




"Girly you are welcome to it.  Never wanted it anyway...."




"Let me remind you young Bonnie"




"You will have work hard to keep that crown on your head, because your sister Brynn can kick your butt already."




"There had better be a ball under this stupid dress or I am going to luxate your patella's."


 

"Uhhh Bonnie, you may want to reconsider this..."



"I like my patella's right where they are."

Ranger is proud to borrow the uniform of a US Army Special Forces soldier (1st SFG, Fort Lewis, WA).  We honor all who wear or have worn a uniform.  Our hearts are with you & your families, near and far.

Thank you for your service. 




Monday, November 2, 2009

Brynn's Lesson with Scott Glen

Due to my camera at the hands of my husband, the pictures from our Scott Glen lessons are not great.  I am trying to go through them and pick out the best.  I will be posting them slowly. 

John shot a very long video of Brynn's lesson with Scott (Scott gave his permission to film it).  John propped the camera on a post and ate sunflower seeds (which you can hear).  The wind was blowing (you can hear that too) and he forgot to zoom in - so the video is at a long distance.  You can hear Scott occasionally...and often hear my nervous laughter.  Mostly you just get to see Brynn zipping around the sheep.

But what warmed the cockles of my heart?  I thought she was awesome and Scott said she was a "right good pup" or something like that.

In my lesson Scott took me back to basics.  How to use the flag correctly.  Flick it, get the reaction, turn her nose...then put it away.  Don't keep snapping it over and over at her & desensitize her to it.  He showed me how & when to walk into her to get the distance I need off the sheep.  He reminded me "she goes where her nose follows".  Where her nose is pointed - she will go in that direction.  Among other things.

These are things I didn't do correctly with Bonnie and now I am paying the consequences.

We talked a lot about my relationship with my dogs.  It is showing in the instruction process.  I am still trying to wrap my brain around it and hopefully I can explain this correctly.  From what I understood Scott believes the relationship you have with your dog is indicative of how they will work for you. 

I can see where he is coming from.  If they get my love, affection and approval (for lack of any other word) just for breathing it could interfere with their drive to work for me.  Which in turn may contribute to the lack of work ethic.  

One thing that really pleased me in this lesson was Brynn's reaction to Scott.  I finally have a dog that doesn't seem to be fazed by an instructor like Scott.  Bonnie has a history of high tailing it out of the field when she feels pressure from an instructor (Pat Shannahan, Karen Child, Scott Glen).  You name it.  Beth doesn't respond to pressure well either.  Especially with Scott - I have a different dog during the lesson than I have in the field by myself.

Scott gave me some excellent things to think about.  Perhaps I am creating this lack of desire to work under pressure?  What is your opinion?  Do you think if your dogs sleep in your house and/or spend the majority of their days with you - are in all respects pampered - do you think that impacts the quality of their work?  Or drive to please you?  I am still trying to process this in my head...I would love to hear your thoughts.

Brynn made me happy...*insert goofy happy grin here*.  She is wonderful.  I love her oodles.   While the video quality is poor, hopefully you can see that she is keen, comes nicely into balance consistently - she is quick, but she is thoughful.  I could see her brain working - thinking, and processing every step she took.  Mind you, I know she is only 10 months old and not ready for serious training yet.  Anything I do with her over he next few months will be light, fun and easy. 



On the other hand....I am not happy about seeing my fat lardy butt hoofing it around the field.  My weight loss effort has stalled - actually it has come to a grinding halt, and even reversed (I have gained some back).  I hit a plateau & have been going through a very stressful period and gave up.  I need to get back on the wagon and try again.  Dang left over Halloween candy isn't helping...

Camera Suggestions?

If you are a photographer....can I pick your brain? 

I need help...well... beyond the obvious mental health concerns, I was hoping to get some much needed input for a new camera. 

My current camera is a Canon Powershot A650 IS


This has been a very nice camera to start with.  It shoots nice pictures (when the operator is paying attention to what she is doing) and a good quality video.  But I am looking to upgrade.  I am enrolling in a photography class at our local college next quarter and want a good camera to use for that class and to continue with my new favorite hobby. 

It has taken pictures like this...

This one makes me smile



I dont have photo editing software, beyond what came with my camera (Lexmark).  I can crop, adjust the color saturation, contrast, brightness...etc.  Just the basics.



But if you look at my pictures, you will see that only the stills (or semi still) pictures are decent (in focus - sorta).  Because when I am taking pictures I am watching the stupid little red box that tells me what is in focus or not.   



 In this picture the red box was on the log.  When you are trying to snap pictures of dogs, especially border collies that move at a high rate of speed, that stupid red box becomes cumbersome and annoying.  (Ranger is also back lit, which makes this shot difficult for me). 




I am going to try this one again in the afternoon so the sun will be in front of him rather than behind him. 


 
 
Isn't he just the goofiest dog in the world?   I need a better camera just so I can appropriately document Ranger for all posterity.  Your world would be richer, the world could be at peace. 



 The red box limits the Rangerfication of the world.  In this shot, I got the red box on Ranger, not the river, grass or leaves.  So Ranger is in focus - sorta. 



Bonnie has such nice clean teeth.  Raw meaty bones are awesome.  Got the box in the right spot.  I like it when that happens. 


My action shots suck.  I am sure most of this has to do with the lighting and my preset settings that I use on my camera.  I was stunned I actually got this shot...but it would be cool if Brynn were in focus, instead of Ranger.



In case you are wondering...she caught the Frisbee. 

Typically my action shots are fuzzy and blurry.



 Truthfully I have no idea what I  need in a camera.  I have fiendishly devoured a multitude of websites dedicated to photography basics, i.e. Pioneer Woman Photography.  I have tried to read other websites telling me I need this or that about cameras & varying opinions (e.g. nikon vs canon).  I have talked to people....I am still  dazed, confused...befuddled.  

What I know is this...
  • I want to take action shots and or stills of my dogs in various situations.  Photographing my children  is not a high priority.  They are seared into my memory forever (trauma has a way of doing that).  But the occasional picture of a human would be nice too - I guess. 
  • In taking action shots or stills I want my camera to be able to take pictures quickly.  With my current camera I have to wait 18 - 30 seconds between each shot.  
  • I want to be able to take close up pictures (my current camera sucks at this) I guess this is the lens?
  • I want to have a decent amount of pixels - so I can have some fun with editing and larger pictures - or does this even matter?
  • It would be nice to have video capability (but not necessary - I can use my other camera for that)
  • Lens options (ideally what I need will come in a package).  
  • Relatively idiot proof (cuz I am an idiot) so some good pre-settings.  
  • Manual settings for use in the photography course
  • Desire package (camera and lens) under $1,000.00 in price
The camera I am eyeballing is the Canon EOS Digital Rebel T1i



 Is this a good choice? 

Or do I choose Nikon?  Why Nikon?  Why Canon?   Why do my panties bunch up under my jeans? 

So many questions, so little time. 

Thanks for all the advice and/or suggestions you can offer. 

Friday, October 30, 2009

Drugs and Dolls

Farm Town has gotten in the way of life.  I have discovered I have a raging case of OCD.  Who knew.  I find myself arranging my crops in patchwork quilt patterns, then challenge myself with finding the right combination so the entire field will be ready to harvest at once.  It is like a giant puzzle and I am finally SICK OF IT!

But isn't my farm pretty? 


My butt is growing wider in my computer chair, my arms hurt, my hand hurts from all the stinking clicking and I seem to have a perpetual head ache.

So, I am calling for a ban of all things Farm Town for now..at least this very moment in time.

Good thing too, because last night Bonnie and Brynn decided to poison themselves. Just like little kids, when mom is distracted they do everything they can possibly think of to maim themselves. 

I was playing Farm Town last night  (imagine that?) and heard a weird crunching sound.  I shouted for John to look and see what it was (since he was closer).  He darted into the living room quickly and then back to his computer where he messaged me on Face Book (40 feet away mind you) from his office (because he is now addicted to Farm Town too) that he took a chewed up pill bottle away from Brynn.

I freaked out...and started yelling "WHAT PILL BOTTLE"

His response was to dart into my office and toss the mangled bottle onto my desk only to fly back to his office to complete harvesting someone's field.

I looked at the pill bottle and freaked some more.




As a nurse I have been trained to handle emergent situations by remaining calm, in control and  gifted with an ability to remove my self personally from a crisis situation.  It is a skill that has come in handy over the years raising too many children.  Like when my son was standing on the roof of the garage with a bed sheet tied under his shoulders - ready to jump off and parachute to the ground like daddy.  Or the time when I pulled into the drive way to watch my son leap out of the second story window - fearing the imminent crash onto the hard ground beneath I was suprised to see him suddenly bounce 20 feet into the air.  The kids had moved the trampoline under the window.

I made it through years of trauma brought on by raising children.  Only unhinge over a chewed up pill bottle...pathetic.

"WHERE DID THIS BOTTLE COME FROM?" I shrieked.  Then sent John racing around the house searching for the site of the crime, hoping to find pills on the floor (meaning they had not eaten them).

He found nothing.  Where ever they took it from (we suspect my daughters room).  They ate every last pill (if there were any left).

The bottle holds 90 count 10 mg Loratadine/Antihistamine (generic for Claritin).  Who knows how many were in the bottle because everyone in the house suddenly were struck with a acute case of amnesia.  

I immediately called the vet.  They told me to call the poison control line - because that is what they would do if I brought her in.   

Did you know the WA State Poison Control has had budget cuts?  If you are calling for information pertaining to a pet, you have to pay $30.00.  The nurses on the phone only have information about people...not pets or how human drugs will metabolize in a canine.  I waited on hold forever and found out nothing more than I already found searching the  internet while on hold.

The internet can be a very dangerous thing, when you are on the verge of panic.  I read this and freaked even more.

Loratadine is a tricyclic long-acting antihistamine with selective peripheral histamine H1-receptor antagonist activity. In humans, loratadine is well absorbed orally and extensively metabolized to an active metabolite. Most of the parent drug is excreted unchanged in the urine. The mean elimination half-life in humans is 8.4 hr. Loratadine appears to have a large margin of safety in laboratory animals. No deaths were reported at oral doses up to 5 g/kg in rats and mice. In rats, mice, and monkeys, no clinical signs were observed at 10 times the maximum recommended human daily oral dose.

Treatment 
Treatment of antihistamine toxicosis is primarily symptomatic and supportive. Emesis should only be considered in asymptomatic patients. Activated charcoal may be useful for recent ingestion. Cardiovascular function and body temperature should be closely monitored. Diazepam can be used to control seizures or seizure-type activity. Physostigmine is recommended to counteract the CNS anticholinergic effects of antihistamine overdoses in people, although the risk of seizures associated with this drug may limit its use. IV fluids should be given as needed.
Mind you, if the pill bottle had been even half or 3/4 full Brynn or Bonnie could have gotten up to 500-750 mg of Loratadine.

Our friend Cindy (who was a vet tech prior to becoming an RN) suggested we try and get the dogs to vomit.  Which we did.  I grabbed a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide and a syringe.  Then we tried to force the hydrogen peroxide down their throats.  After loading Brynn up with approx 20cc of Hydrogen Peroxide.  She never barfed.

Bonnie was another story.  She inhaled it, she spewed it, she began frothing at the mouth.  She looked like Cujo.  She also bit me.  Although gravely insulted at the man handling, she didn't vomit either. 

Needless to say, the vet said to watch them closely.  I didn't crate them and kept them both on the bed with me all night.  At about 4 this morning Bonnie went into her crate when I was asleep and I woke to hear her vomiting.  She hasn't been right most of the day.  She didn't want all of her breakfast - and if she doesn't perk up by tomorrow we are going into the vet.

Personally I think Bonnie is in a snit.  She is mad at me for force feeding her hydrogen peroxide (have you ever tasted hydrogen peroxide?  I would be mad too!).  She may not have wanted her breakfast but she had noooooo problem eating mine when I was distracted on the phone this morning. 

That brings me to another story I will share tomorrow.  At our lesson with Scott Glen last week he had some very interesting observations about Bonnie.  (More on that later with pictures and video).  See what Farm Town has done to me?  I have these fantastic pictures, video and great stuff to share about three dog's lessons with Scott - and here it is 11 days later and I still haven't written about it.

Farm Town sucks...errr, well, the combination of Farm Town with OCD sucks. 

Our final casualty of the week...

Sarah is a large goofy 'doll' that I have had standing in the corner of my living room for 15 years.  While she is a Christmas decoration, I found if I just turn the Christmas bag around she can be displayed all year.  I loved her long flowing hair, lovely little wreath that sat on her head.  She made me smile...

Sarah was scalped by Brynn.



Her long flowing hair was spread across the living room carpet. Dress ripped, buttons missing, delicate necklace mangled, wreath half eaten. 



 Sarah's next stop...the bin.  Nothing can help her now. 

A bored border collie will make their own entertainment.  Time to kick Farm Town to the curb - or at least exercise some restraint while imbibing.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Farm Town Fanatic

I have never played a computer game in my life.  I have often scoffed at my children while they play Halo and/or save up their money for the latest release of Call of Duty XXXII.

On more than one occasion my son tried to get me to play SIMS with him, then it was Civilization.  I would shudder and walk away. 

Nope, I said...I am not a computer game type of person.  (whatever that means)

A good book is all I need.  Or so I thought...

Until my former friend Cindy manipulated me into trying Farm Town on Face Book.

It is an evil application. The work of  Satan himself.   I believe it is transmitting subliminal messages into my brain.  That is why I didn't get to bed until after midnight last night.  

What is happening to my brain?  To my life?

The poor dogs.  They had to go to the river with John today.  Because I didn't get dressed until 2 PM.  I forgot to feed them dinner last night.  No wonder they were pathetically gnawing on their bones looking at me like I was evil incarnate at 11pm. 

This morning I made soup - errr well it is left over from last night - I never took it off the stove.  It was shabbat after all.  They eat the same soup for dinner again tonight.  Oy...

Something tells me that a computer game is not part of Shabbat. Eh? 

Hi, my name is Carolynn.  I am a Farm Town addict.  I have no control, I am weak and pathetic.

Speaking of Farm Town...Anyone want to be my neighbor?  If I get enough neighbors then I can really move up levels!!!  I send LOTS of gifts too!

Dagnabbit, I forgot to feed the dogs AGAIN tonight!