Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus

Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus
by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy
2012
Weight: 1 lb
Method of Disposal: Lending Library

I am sure I bought this book because it was on bargain somewhere, and it seemed like it somewhat fit into my alley.  It was information about something I likely should already know a lot about.  I bought it, and I promptly put it away and never thought of it again until one day when I was mindlessly grabbing a book off the shelf at random and grabbed Rabid.  I am so glad I did.  I learned a lot and, by the end of it, felt much less secure that I was safe at work--or even just hiking in the woods.  While being infected with rabies in the U.S.A. is rare, that will seem like little comfort after you hear about the story of Bali--once rabies free.  Or what about the American man that proclaimed, "What disturbs me is I smashed his mouth off, I smashed his teeth in, but he still wanted to continue in the attack mode.  I was actually terrified at the resilience of this animal (pg2)." This is a description of a rabid raccoon.  Maybe more frightening are the stories about people being bitten by rabid bats in their sleep and not even knowing until they start showing symptoms a month later.  I think of the woman hiking who had to drown a rabid animal in a small puddle of water to save herself from being infected.

It makes you think twice when you get that new cat dumped at the shelter, and it bites the shit out of you because it is scared and the owner, of course, left you with absolutely no information or history whatsoever.  Even with the security of something being uncommon, it feels much less secure when you handle animals of unknown backgrounds on a daily basis.  It is way past time to get vaccinated.

Marley and Me

Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan
2008
Weight: 12 oz
Method of Disposal: Donating

 

Today, My Beautiful Baby Girl, Bayah, went into a trial adoption period with a very nice woman from work.  I was more of an emotional wreck about it than I have been in the past.  I had consistently been tormenting myself, going back and forth, about whether or not I should adopt her.  For once, my dogs seemed like they would allow it.  I could not even bring myself to say goodbye to her.  When I brought her in this morning, I had no idea she would be leaving this afternoon.  I, admittedly, went and top-secret, stealth cried on the walking trail.  It is always difficult to let a foster go but, as you may have read in past posts, often it is more clear to me that I am doing the right and necessary thing.  Bayah will have a wonderful home with this woman.  I do not doubt that, I just question my heart.  I loved her intensely.  Did I let her go because it was best for her?  Because I was afraid to take on more responsibility?  Because I was scared of being so connected to a foster?  I don't know.

 

 

 

Bayah (then Beau) was rescued with a single puppy, Aries, over a year ago.  They went into foster care with Harriet and Connor.  Aries got an amazing home with an incredibly kind, warm, loving man and Bayah went home with someone else.  She was fed a poor diet and returned to the shelter a year later overweight, with 6 teeth, hair loss, and looking like she had aged by at least five years.  We had nowhere for her to go at the shelter, but I could not just watch Harriet's foster walk back out the door without knowing she would be safe.  I took her home because I could not bare the thought of Harriet going through the emotional trauma of hearing what happened to her foster and not knowing the outcome.  I took her home because I loved her the second the woman said she had been cared for by a British couple. I would like to say it was before that, but I had hardened my heart.  How many other animals had come in before her that we did not have room for that day?  She embodied the love I felt for someone else.

 

 

I had her for a month, and I fell hard for her.  I loved her for who she was, a lazy, easygoing Chihuahua that felt like an overgrown potato in my hands.  I could bring her with me anywhere.  She played with my friend's dogs--okay, she did not play, but she could be around them, watching them warily or ignoring them.  She was the perfect co-pilot in the car.  She cuddled, burrowed, and snugged like no other.  Most importantly, my dogs tolerated her, were curious about her, and could leave her be when necessary. 

 

 

 

Today, she went home with a very nice woman who has another small dog.  A very well-groomed and spoiled Shih Tzu.  She will have a wonderful life, and I will be able to get updates about her.  It is the perfect, fairy-tale ending so why do I feel so lonely tonight?  I know it was the right decision.  I feel more and more confident about it as the hours pass, but I do not feel better about it yet.  Good luck, Sweet Bayah.  Look at me.  All in a frenzy and do not forget this blog started with the words "trial adoption."

 

 

 

Thinking of Strelka

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 QuickSteps  by John Cronan

2006?

Weight: 1.3 lb

Method of Disposal: Recycling the Remains

It has been a little over 24 hours since Strelka started her trial period.  I left her last night with a wonderful, sweet, thoughtful woman who had clearly been doing her research.  I did not say an emotional goodbye, partly because I was sick and partially because it is a trial.  The woman is not sure if she is ready for a baby (as opposed to an adult), but she wanted to give it a shot since she had already fallen in love with Strelka.  Part of me thinks she will give her back to me because of this, and the other part of me cannot imagine that she could live with that little girl without falling in love.  If she decides to keep her, I might just need to see her one last time.  I have been thinking about her all day.

In a different time, in a different place, she would be mine.  I am smitten with her silliness.  Her langley, clumsy legs.  The way she rests her head on my chest and stares at me while I read.  The way she gets so excited to see someone and then acts as if she is startled by her own enthusiasm and playfully backs off.  She is such a flirt.  I really hope it works out with this woman, because I cannot give this girl the life she deserves.  Oh how I wish I could.  If not, we will keep searching until we find the perfect home.

Strelka did not destroy books, except for this insignificant one.  I think Leda gave her the idea.  This was one that had a little chewing around the edges.  She was being trained by the last foster, the book-eating adorable little beagle mix, who is having the time of her life by the way. 

RIP Brillo Bill

A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle

1995

Weight: 8 oz

Method of Disposal: Leaving Somewhere

I bought this book in 2002 because I was dating a girl who loved L’Engle and highly recommended this book.  I am not going to talk about this book here, though I am sure I will talk about L’Engle in this blog in the future.  She was required reading when I was young, and no one my age can forget A Wrinkle in Time.

I chose this book today because of the picture on the cover, a dolphin leaping over a young girl’s arms.   

Today, Brillo Bill the Beta Fish died.  Brillo Bill went by the name Sponge Bob when cared for by Harriet and Connor, my friends who recently moved back to England.  I took Brillo Bill in when they left.  I changed his name mostly to aggravate Harriet and also to prove my disdain for the cartoon character.  He was a beautiful, red fish who would build bubble nests and glide through the water looking very handsome no matter what he was doing.  He was very easy to care for, though I hated cleaning out his tank.  It was always so obviously traumatizing for him to be scooped up from his home and then replaced once it was clean.  He would, as fish do, try every route possible to flee me.  It made me feel so guilty but, when we were not cleaning, life together was easy-breezy.  We coexisted peacefully.  He was in a nice quiet place where the dogs did not notice him.  I don’t know what a fish thinks or feels, but I hope he had a good, secure life.  I appreciated the beauty he brought to mine.

It is not every day you get to adopt a fish.  I will not buy one so this may be the last one for me.  Good Bye, Brillo Bill.  Thank you for sharing your life with me.

A Rage to Kill

A Rage to Kill  by Ann Rule

1999

Weight: 12 oz

Method of Disposal: Recycling the remains

Does she choose them by title? 

 Leda went home on Sunday, and it was a beautiful thing.  The woman that adopted her is perfect for her and will love her so much.  I will never have to worry and Leda will never have to want for anything.  If only it could be this way every time.

That being said, I miss that little dog a lot.  I think about her before I go to bed at night AND when I wake up in the morning AND about a hundred times in between.  She is an adorable little spitfire.  I am now caring for Strelka, a pit bull puppy that showed up in my driveway a month and a half ago, until she can find a loving home.  She is the complete opposite of Leda.  She likes to sit or curl up in a ball to nap beside me while I do other things.  She is playful, but also very gentle and mellow.  Instead of peeing in ten places all over the yard, it takes me at least 30 minutes to convince her that it is time to go to the bathroom (though the time gets shorter and shorter each day).  She is only a few months younger than Leda, but their energy levels and attitude on life could not be more different.  Strelka is excited but cautious.  Sweet despite being a little scared.  Leda is fearless and her excitement knows no boundaries.  I am filled with so much love for them both.  I miss Leda’s eager little face, but I love Strelka’s loving gaze as she rests her head on my chest.  I cannot wait for the day when she too finds a permanent home and a loving family.