Road to Recovery

Things are starting to get back to normal around town: most of the power is up, gas is available, and grocery stores are getting back to being fully stocked. However, things have not been easy. 2 people quit last week at work and we are down another employee as she went on maternity leave 3 weeks early. So things have gotten stressful and extremely busy at work as more responsibilities have been added to the remaining 3 employees.

On top of that all, I had to put my precious baby, Buddy, to sleep on Friday, September 12. He was 11 1/2 years old. He was my first pet and first cat. I loved him more than anything. I noticed on Thursday evening that he was having some difficulty in breathing to the point that he was gasping at one point. Now he's always kind of had a hard time breathing because he's a Persian and had "no" nose. But this was very extreme. I decided to take him to the vet first thing Friday morning. It took the vet 5 minutes to tell me that he had a mass in his chest that was placing pressure on his lungs. Due to his age, he recommended that he be put to sleep as any form of treatment would still lead to the same outcome and possibly even more distress. So, I had him put to sleep right then. There was no taking him home for the weekend as he would not have lasted another day as he was. Cats are such great deceivers that there would not have been a way to detect that he was ill. Up until that Thursday evening, he was still eating and jumping around. While I knew that this would eventually happen, I just didn't think it would happen so soon. I was so blessed to have had him in my life. I won't be getting a new cat any time soon as I don't want to replace him. For now, it will just have to be me and Duke (my poodle).

My vet gave me this poem to help and while it is in a dog's "voice" it still applies to all pets:

A Dog's Plea

Treat me kindly my beloved friend, for no heart in all th eworld is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing that with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

Buddy February 1997 - September 12, 2008

Hurricane Gustav

Well, we survived another one! Well, we are surviving. Baton Rouge was not so lucky this time and has suffered major damage. Many homes are without power. Many trees are down. I am a lucky one, while my apartment complex is surrounded by trees, not one tree hit a building. Not that it wasn't scary. The pictures below show the trees that fell right outside my very own balcony. I've stayed through 4 hurricanes now, by myself, in my own place and I have to say that this is the first storm I have really been scared.

Life is slowly getting back to normal. I lost power about 2 p.m. on Monday and was lucky enough to have it back by 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Around 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday I was even luckier and was able to get cable and internet back. Went back to work on Thursday for just a few hours as we only had power but no internet, email, or phone. Today, Friday, was a full work day and we had phone by 7 a.m. and network, internet and email by 9 a.m. It's still not normal. Very few traffic lights are operational. Not many places are open for business. I was able to find a grocery store today that was open, took credit card and did not have a line to get into. So I can proudly say I now have milk and eggs and was even able to get some hamburger meat to add to my spaghetti sauce! Still not much availability on fresh fruits, vegetables or meat. But it will come with time. However, I am reluctant to even restock my freezer and refrigerator.

Unfortunately though we are now having to watch for Ike. His path keeps changing and the latest developments have it entering the Gulf sometime early in the week, Monday or Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed that it does not come this way!

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