I love this video.  How lame were your piano recitals when you were a kid?  This little girl gets up on stage and you know she’s going to be something special with her feather boa and newsboy cap, and then she ROCKS OUT on the organ.  I should have stuck with my piano lessons.

Georgia and I attended our first session of a four-week training class last night.  Georgia went through private training when she was about a year old, and it did make a big difference, but some things never quite clicked.  I’m not blaming her at all.  It’s probably mostly my fault, but she continues to jump on visitors, pull on her leash, and she won’t come if there’s anything even remotely interesting going on.

If these three behaviors are corrected, I will be the owner of a very well-behaved dog, and my stress level will decrease dramatically.  I want to be able to have her outside just relaxing and not trying to take off every three seconds.  I frequently go away on weekends (Georgia comes too), and I’m so tired of always being stressed out because she’s misbehaving at someone else’s house.

I think the class is going to be really good.  Honestly, Georgia is acting a bit better already.  She’s definitely more attentive to me (at least in the house with no distractions–ha).  One of the things the trainer recommended is standing on the dog’s leash so that she can’t jump on people.  The person tells her to sit, and if she tries to jump, she corrects herself.  Why didn’t I think of that?  Instead I’m usually gripping the leash feeling like I’m holding a bucking bronco and apologizing profusely as the poor person tries to battle off a 75 pound missile.  We’re going away this weekend and I’m looking forward to practicing not jumping with some new people.

We still have a long ways to go, but I’m hopeful that we’re going to get there!

It’s pouring rain right now.  Of course I just watered my flowers 20 minutes ago.

I haven’t done a very good job of keeping storylines going, so here is a quick rundown.  The squirrel was never captured.  The night before they brought the live trap, I heard it in the wall and started pounding on the wall and yelling at it.  Maybe I scared it to death (I hope not) but it disappeared never to be heard from again.  The trap sat empty in my house for two weeks.  I’m glad he’s gone, but I really wanted the satisfaction of catching the little guy and knowing that he was going to be taken far away.  Now I’m still concerned that he’s going to reappear one of these days, probably in the winter when he gets sick of the snow.  The management company promised that they were going to repair the areas of the building where the squirrel could have gotten in, but of course that hasn’t happened.

In other news, Tim and I successfully completed our marathon!  It took quite a bit longer than we had expected, but we crossed that finish line together, so that’s all that matters.  It was pretty awesome.  It didn’t go off without a hitch.  It got HOT on raceday, and Tim got rather overheated and dehydrated.  He just couldn’t get enough fluids no matter how much he drank.  I had, ahem, some digestive issues that resulted in a significant amount of time spent in the port-a-potties.  Yes, world, I just told you that I had runner’s revenge.  It happens.  We soldiered on, however, and we made it!  A bit worse for wear, but very happy.  I think I might do another one at some point, but right now I am enjoying not having to do long runs a little too much.  I haven’t dared to step on the scale, but I know I’m not going to like what it says.  I think I earned a little break though.

Otherwise I have been enjoying summer.  I have had so much schoolwork to do.  This is really a tough semester, but I’ve gotten much better at finding a balance in my life.  I used to feel guilty every minute that I wasn’t studying, but now I’m able to study when I have to and truly enjoy the time when I don’t.  We’ve made it up north a few times, and I daresay that I’m even looking rather tan.  Don’t tell my dermatologist.  (Actually I don’t have a dermatologist because I’m too afraid to go and get yelled at for getting so much sun, although I would really like some help with my acne).

I just read about the shutdown of a huge puppy mill in Tennessee.  If you can read this article without tearing up, you are either a stronger or a less compassionate person than I am.

I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would order a dog off the internet.  It must be lack of knowledge on the part of potential dog owners, but obviously anyone who would sell a dog on the internet to someone they have never even met does not care one iota for the welfare of that dog.  I hope that this story will make national news and help get the word out about the puppy mill problem.  It must be a booming business if they continue to exist.  Over 700 dogs at this one facility, and I don’t even want to imagine how many other mills exist around the country.

My public service announcement:

If you came across this and do not know about puppy mills, they are essentially dog breeding factories where dogs are generally kept in squalid and cruel conditions for their entire lives.  Female dogs are nothing but puppy-makers who must churn out endless litters starting from a very young age.  The puppies are sold to pet shops, research laboratories, and online to anyone who will give a credit card number.  No responsible breeder would EVER sell a dog to someone unknown or send the dog to a pet shop to do the same for them.

If you would like to adopt a dog, visit your local animal shelter where there are likely dozens to hundreds of dogs who need a home.  If you are set on a specific breed, do a search for breed rescue organizations.  These are generally wonderful people who have a special place in their hearts for a certain breed of dog.  They take in dogs from shelters and people who can no longer keep them for whatever reason.  They nurse them back to health (if needed) and care for them until they can find a forever home.

If your heart’s desire is a purebred puppy, find a responsible breeder, visit their facility (usually their home!), and ask responsible questions.  Here is a short article from the Humane Society that gives some good resources for finding a breeder that will have your dog’s best interests at heart.

Do not buy a dog online.  Puppy mills aren’t always advertised in the shady looking side ads.  They can post legitimate looking ads on Craigslist or online message boards.  Basically, do your homework.  Do not buy a dog from someone who is willing to ship the dog to you with no questions asked.  If something seems a bit fishy, it probably is.  A responsible breeder will be completely open and honest and ask questions of YOU.  Don’t be offended by that.  It means they are looking out for their dogs, which is exactly what you want.

Some people may ask, “Why shouldn’t I buy a dog from a puppy mill?  It’s one less dog that will have to suffer.”  Actually, you’re supporting the puppy mill’s business and allowing hundreds of other dogs to continue to suffer.  If you want to rescue a puppy mill dog, keep an eye on the news and adopt one from an animal shelter after they have shut down another puppy mill.

I hope and pray that in the near future, as people become more aware of what goes on at puppy mills, that they will be driven out of business.  Unfortunately it seems that with the internet, the problem may get worse before it gets better.

I haven’t posted in a while.  I feel sort of bad about that, but I haven’t really had anything worth posting.  I’m glad I’m not trying to make money off a blog.  It would be too much pressure for me, because sometimes I just don’t have anything to say!

Today was a great day.  I had class in the morning and then went for a run with Georgia, but after that, I spent the afternoon lounging by the pool with my good friend Emily.  It was 85, sunny, and wonderful.  I felt like I was on vacation.  It was just so relaxing.  I can’t remember the last time I laid out by a pool.  I was a good person and put on sunblock, and I didn’t even get burned.  I usually get a bit pink when I’m outside for more than an hour, but I am trying to do a better job of taking care of my skin.  I already have crow’s feet, and I know it’s completely my own fault.  I just feel so much better with a tan even though I know how bad it is for me.  It’s one of my vices, right up there with candy, string cheese, Frostys, and 80s movies.

My mood has improved considerably since the last post.  I now have a live trap in my kitchen courtesy of a jolly little old man who came this afternoon to check out the situation.  In addition to leaving the trap, he explained to me how he was going to show the maintenance man where the building needed to be repaired to prevent more squirrels from moving in and left me with his business card and cell phone number.   He also showed me how to reset the trap which turned out to be a useful lesson since Georgia bumped it closed as soon as I let her into the room.   It’s only a matter of time before this whole fiasco is behind me!

The trap is baited with a dixie cup containing a marshmallow and chocolate frosting, so I guess the squirrel will get a nice sugar buzz after he’s caught.   The man told me that he would be attracted by the sweet smell.  I’m sure he knows what he’s talking about.  I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor squirrel even though he wreaked havoc on my house.  I’m such a bleeding heart.  I heard that many squirrels who are released into a new location are unable to establish a new territory and just get driven away to die.  I didn’t ask what he would do with the squirrel after he caught it, but I am going to tell myself that he will release it somewhere.  I did ask him if he would take it far away so that it wouldn’t come back, and he assured me that he would.   I’ll just assume that this squirrel will be lucky enough to live his days happily in a new woods because let’s face it… he’s just not welcome here.

I was unable to craft a suitable response to my apartment manager, so I haven’t written her at all.  I could only think of biting and sarcastic things, and I knew that would not help the situation.  Once the squirrel is caught, I’ll address the issue of getting my carpets and upholstery cleaned.  Maybe I’ll just bring the squirrel down and set it on her desk to prove that my suspicions regarding the cause of the damages were correct.  Okay, not really, but it’s fun to imagine.  It’s also fun to imagine releasing the squirrel into her office…  Whoops, did I just say that out loud?

I just checked out the website of the pest control company, and they said the following under their FAQs:

If you live-trap an animal on your property you have only two legal choices: euthanize the animal right there or let it go.  It is a misdemeanor to transport any wild animal without a license or to release an animal on a property without permission from the land owner.  This includes state and public parks.  Home owners also open themselves to risk of injury or disease if they mishandle the wild animal.  Again, we do not just trap animals, we solve problems and strive to offer permanent solutions.  A lot of our work involves animal proofing and prevention such as installing chimney caps, vent guards, fences, and repairing animal made entrances.

Since I don’t suppose he will euthanize the animal on the spot, I can only assume he will let it go somewhere.  That makes me feel better.   Now I just get to look forward to finding my fuzzy little friend in his new wire mesh condo and giving him a one-way ticket outta here.

I could try to develop this into a very dramatic and humorous incident, but truth be told, I’m just too frustrated to do so right now. I’m feeling so upset about the whole situation that I’m hoping maybe writing it down will calm my mind. I am not generally an angry person, so I just don’t know what to do with all this negative energy.

At the beginning of last week, I started hearing noises in my wall. On Thursday, I returned from running with Georgia to find a squirrel perched on top of my curtain rod. It ran into the bathroom when I came in. I didn’t know what to do, so I opened the sliding door to my balcony and went over to the apartment office. I explained the situation, and a member of the maintenance staff came back to my apartment with me. The squirrel was gone when we returned. He told me that an exterminator visits every Friday and that they would come the following day to see about the squirrel. Fair enough. Friday came and went, and no one ever arrived. I left on Friday evening to go up north for Memorial Day weekend.

When I returned Monday evening, I thought something had died in my apartment as soon as I opened the door. The smell was appalling. Apparently an animal (I’m assuming the squirrel) took it upon himself to destroy my apartment over the weekend. I’m sort of embarrassed to even reveal how bad it was because it makes me feel dirty just thinking about it, but here goes. There was feces and urine on the floor and rugs in every room, on every piece of upholstered furniture, on the windowsills, and on my bed. Whatever it was had dug up the dirt of all my houseplants. Dirt was thick on the floor and all over the bed. Two Christmas cacti that I had raised from little cuttings given as gifts at a friend’s wedding were gnawed down to threads. My vertical blinds were gnawed all along the top. My alarm clock was knocked off my nightstand and broken. A large houseplant was broken off and knocked over. And did I mention the smell? I nearly cried. The whole place was in shambles. We put in several calls to the maintenance number, but they blew us off completely, refusing to call back or send anyone to assist. I cleaned up the whole place, but the smell is not gone. Ugh.

I thought it seemed perfectly reasonable (and maybe I’m wrong) to ask the management to steam clean my carpet and upholstery and pay to dry clean my comforter. After all, it’s their fault for not keeping the building maintained and allowing pests to get in. Also, they didn’t address the problem when I reported it which led to all the damage. I wrote a letter explaining the situation and making those requests and put it in the night depository box since I had to leave for class before the office opened. As soon as I got home from class today, I went to the office to try to talk to the manager. She was in a meeting, so I talked to another member of the staff.

I received the following response via email from the manager this afternoon:

I received your letter and *Staff name* updated me on your conversation earlier. I have contacted an animal removal company. The issue I have is that we don’t know what did this as no one witnessed it. Based on your description I contacted the only company in Lansing to deal with wildlife. They will be on the property tomorrow which is the earliest available.

Our maintenance staff can look at your blinds to see if they require repairs or replacement. Beyond that, as per your lease agreement, we do not cover damages inside the apartment. We carry insurance for our property as we recommended that all residents carry renters insurance. I can not schedule any cleaning at this time. If you believe there is a pest in your apartment that caused damage we will look at any damages and have pest removal scheduled for tomorrow.

I do take all resident issues seriously and will give you my utmost attention and prompt response.

First of all, I do not consider waiting six days for an exterminator to come a “prompt response.” Furthermore, I do not understand her “issue” with what caused the damage. It almost sounds like she doesn’t believe me. Maybe I’m reading my own negative emotions into her response, but I don’t understand why not actually watching the squirrel dig up my plants is an issue. If it wasn’t a squirrel, it must have been a rat or some other vermin. Maybe I have a problem with lots of rodents in my apartment. Obviously something caused the damage. Why does it matter what animal it was? I witnessed a squirrel in my apartment last week, and I witnessed an extreme amount of damage done to my apartment yesterday. “If you believe there is a pest in your apartment that caused the damage…”? What part of that belief did I not make clear?? Oh, did I mention that when I got home from class, my hallway was full of feces AGAIN. Clearly the animal is still frequenting my home. I did mention that to the person with whom I spoke at the office.

Maybe it’s stupid of me to be this upset about the whole incident, but I just find it so incredibly frustrating that the management does not consider this to be a problem requiring any urgency. How would they feel if a dirty animal destroyed their home? I think what really bothers me is that I have no remedy for this situation. I am at their mercy. Sure, I could call in a private pest control person and hire my own cleaning service, but I can’t afford that. There is nothing I can realistically do except wait. I know, there are people dealing with war and disaster all over the world, and I shouldn’t be so upset about something petty, but I can’t seem to help it.

A couple months ago I suddenly could not stand looking at my blank white apartment walls any longer. For whatever reason, I have never acquired any art for my walls. I guess other things just took precedence. One day it hit me that I was going to go insane if I had to continue to stare at the blankness, so I decided that spending $14 for the sake of my wellbeing was not being too frivolous.

I found this print, titled “Daydreaming,” from cutiepiecompany and fell in love with it immediately. I framed it in a cheap white frame and mat from Target, and it looks so good on my wall. It makes me smile and feel more relaxed every time I glance at it. Isn’t that how being at home is supposed to make you feel? The artist is doing a series of girls with their dogs in all the different seasons, so I might have to finish the set at some point. It will be four times the pleasure.

I just read this article and found it inspiring. I think that we as a society are far too apt to just dispose of something that no longer functions perfectly. Throw it out and get a new one. Euthanize the pet who no longer enjoys perfect health. I know there are many people out there who might think that a wheelchair for a dog is either absurd or somehow cruel, but I would like to adamantly disagree. People in wheelchairs can absolutely enjoy a remarkable quality of life. Take Josh George for instance. Why not dogs too?

Side note: This dog’s name is Monsieur Fantastico. Totally awesome. Image from msnbc.com courtesy of Leslie DeGraff-Grinnell.

Why on earth should we choose to end a pet’s life rather than accommodating its disability? (Here I am assuming that the dog is not in pain or that the pain can be managed effectively. Of course there are circumstances when euthanasia is the kindest option.) When we adopt an animal, we are making a commitment to see that its needs are met for the rest of its life. If a human family member lost use of her legs, you wouldn’t consider that the end. You would accommodate her new means of locomotion and carry on. Why shouldn’t it be so for dogs?

Check out Eddie’s Wheels if you’d like to see more. His product line is impressive. He even makes a cross country ski kit for use in the snow! Something I discovered after exploring the site is that many dogs are able to regain use of their paralyzed limbs after some time using a cart for rehabilitation. Even more reason not to give up on your pet.

Yesterday I survived a 21 mile run. Actually, owing to an unplanned construction detour, it was almost 22. The best news is that I was still able to walk when I finished! I’ve decided that running a marathon really is ridiculous. I’m sick of giving up every weekend to prepare for, complete, and recover from long runs. I can’t ever go out at night because I know I have to run in the morning. Twenty-one miles is an absurd distance to run for “fun.” My mom used to do marathons too, and once she told a co-worker that she had run 20 miles over the weekend. His response: “On purpose?!”

It’s going to be so cool to cross that finish line though. I need to do it at least once in my life. I hope that it won’t be so great that I forget how awful the training was and decide I need to do another one. Nope, once will be enough. I will not even come close to qualifying for Boston, so fortunately I don’t need to worry about nearly qualifying and then feeling the need to try again.

Strangely, 21 went far better than 19 did. I completely hit the wall when I did 19, and I barely finished. Yesterday, I felt pretty decent the entire way. Don’t get me wrong, I was in pain, but it wasn’t so unbearable that I couldn’t keep going. I was really worried after the 19-miler that I wasn’t going to be able to do 26.2, but now it seems possible again.