Apollo

It's a boy! Chris and I have a sweet bundle of joy with precious blue eyes and red highlights in his hair. He is 9 weeks old now, and he is an Australian Shepard. He has markings like a sheltie, but is a red merle. We got him in Illinois last weekend and we have not had a moments peace since! We have had lots of laughs from him, but unfortunately for him, the law must be enforced now unless I want to be chewed out of home and clothes. He is definitely very active, but he can fall asleep in a nano second. He has adjusted well to being away from his mom and siblings, except the first night was rough. We were up at 11p, 1am, 3 am, 5 am....you get the idea. The next night went better, and the next even better. He whines when he needs to go out. However, he has not mastered letting us know when he needs to potty when he is freely roaming the house! Just have to watch him close. Once he starts smelling and looking, you better be on the move! Cause there is an unpleasant surprise coming soon! He is getting pretty brave too. The first few days he would not leave our sides when he was in the house or outside. Now he is getting adventurous, which is fine, but not for the great outdoors. We have had to start using a leash when he goes out because he has not yet learned his name. We are working on name recognition and the "come" command. We are also trying to learn that a leash is not evil. In time. He goes to work with Chris on days he would be left in his crate for three hours or more. His coworkers keep threatening to steal him. He also visited the vet, and got a clean bill of health. My aunt works there and kidnapped him to show to everyone. He was the hit of the entire clinic. He is awfully entertaining too. He likes to sleep on his back, and he often dreams he is chasing something, as he will go all out in his sleep cycle. He is becoming more and more vocal, and sassy. He had his first time out this morning. And I am sure it will not be the last. I think this is what we call the terrible two's. He enjoys carrying his little food bowl around and dumping its contents onto the floor. Dinner is not edible until it is spread out on the floor.

In other news, I completed my administrative and clinical externs today, just in time for spring break. In a week, I will begin my phlebotomy extern at Witham Hospital in Lebanon. I hope to be there for 3 weeks, as I will start a prn (as needed) position at Unity, which pays me! I am also expecting to interview for another position within Unity, and I am acting on another Unity position in their Oncology Dept. I had applied to Arnett/Clarian a while ago. But I have a personal conflict with Clarian and I will not consider employment there nor accept a job offer. They could never pay me back enough for what they took away from me. I will never respect them again, nor will I be associated with that corporation. That is all the are and will ever be. Health care is lost with them, as are patient rights.

Jake is ok. His arthritis is progressing in his knee. Xrays revealed a bone chip, most likely a result from all those years on the track. I will not be having surgery on him. All I can do is keep him comfortable and healthy. Poor guy. It sucks getting old. Otherwise he is doing well. I bought him a bitless bridle that I hope to try out on him this weekend. He is just so bit sour that we cannot enjoy working under saddle. I decided to try this after a lot of research. I hope it works!!

Mulberry is boring like usual. You would think everyone would be all hyped up over Amanda getting into the top 12, but no. There is a sign in the restaurant, but that is it. I am waiting for the stinking news crews. But something tells me they won't bother with Mulberry. They will just go to Lafayette. This town isn't spectacular enough for television, and I rather like it that way!

So is anyone else absolutely sick and tired of winter? Oh my. I have spring fever so bad I can't stand it. I am still waiting for my cold to arrive. So far it has not bothered to surface. It's waiting in there, I know it. It will show its ugly face when I can't afford it to. Most likely in the middle of my phlebotomy extern!

Ok, well, that is probably the biggest update I have had in a long time. For those wanting to know, I am hanging in there. Life is still very different. I still very much miss mom. I certainly wish I could talk to her about school, job prospects, and upcoming graduation. Just want to her to smile down on me and make her proud.