It appears to be a relatively quiet and reflective Tuesday here on BT. I am doing yard work (again). After 40 days and 40 night of rain, the yard is quite out of control.



I suppose some are recovering from the weekend and others are caught up in work or maybe both.

Everyone enjoy!

Good Morning Steve... I was getting ready to start a thread. I've got some pics of my kids w/ new dive gear. We were s'posed to dive in Vero Sunday. HORRID conditions. So my daughter and I took the tanks and went to the springs yesterday. It was cloudy from a cave-in somewhere, but it was diving!

Let's see em' PegiPie!

I've been pretty lucky with the weather and dive days except for last Saturday.

I now return to my bushwacking.

They are critiqueing the Little Mermaid. All the sudden I hear "She's ascending WAY too fast!"

Ok, That fish is not my kids, I thought there were others of them, but it's a cool fish. I've never seen one of them there, and they were everywhere around the mouth of the boil! Very odd...
And the last picture, nope, not a brim. That's Kayla.
We had such a good time. I really have never seen so much stuff floating around in there. It's a mess, but hey, it all washes off in the end!

Excellent, PegiSue

Good looking kids. Ahhh... Nothing better than new gear.

Thanks for sharing

Kayla and Rafe just got their dive gear. And the first dive was gonna be in Vero Beach. Didn't happen, so my son has only used his in the pool. I feel bad, his was his Birthday present, but Kayla used hers and she's happy!
Then George bought the "Conversion Van" cause we didn't have anything big enough to hold all of us and our gear. We are now SO stylin'!!!LOL Gotta paint the van psycodelic w/ dive flags on it for some crazy BT road trips!

Thanks, they are kinda cute! I'm loving all of us having gear so we can just load up and go now. It's the getting home, "Mom, I'm tired", and me cleaning gear for 2 hours that just aint right!

Great pics PegiSue. It looks like you stole my pleco for that picture. I have one in my fish tank. Actually, he is the only thing still living in my fish tank and is almost 17 years old. I thought plecostemus (or would that be plecostemi?) were indigenous to the Nile and Tigris. What are they doing in Florida?

Pegi - looks like a GREAT time and lots of fun. What springs did you go to? And let's just say that at most of the springs dives - other than my wetsuit I figure my gear is clean. Usually the water is as clear as like gin. (I was going to say water but then that would be a stupid comment - LOL)

I thought that was odd too!!! There were a bunch of them all over around the mouth of the boil. I've never seen them there before. Maybe because of all the crap that is stirred up from the cave-in (where ever that happened) they came in to eat it.?.. George says someone was drilling a well and hit the aquafer and it started caving in! That is not good. Everyone's water has to be messed up. This stuff is all coming up from the boil. With weird fish!!!

That is Blue Springs, in Orange City, FL. I always clean the gear after diving there because of the shell that gets stuck in all the little places. Yesterday, we had rocks stuck in our hair! It needed cleaning bad. Then, of course there was the guys stuff from Sunday when they were gonna be REAL MEN and dive in 6-7foot waves and 0 viz!! Thank God they lost the dive flag to the sea Gods!

I know that naturally they are scavengers. Very odd that they are in Florida. They were probably introduced by someone not wanting them in their aquarium any more. I could be wrong, but I really thought they were from the other side of the planet.

Any way...here is my guy: He is in a temporary tank because on Sunday we sprung a leak. He will be back in his normal sized house (29 gallon) come this weekend.

(Message edited by jeanineclark on August 28, 2007)

Great pictures! Your kids are beautiful and lucky to have new gear, woohoo!

Hey KIWI - did you buy your lottery ticket in Richmond by any chance? You know, you could just hire someone now to take care of that yard...

Pegi,

Where you been girl?

What's it look like for the checkout dive?

Neil

Wow, they are exactly the same thing... I have seen stranger things in the St. John's River... I have an empty aquarium here, I should've caught one. I was petting them. It's funny, that was the last fish I had in that aquarium, he killed all the goldfish. I called him my Devil Fish.

Mara,

If I was Mr. Lucky in Richmond, me and what ever was left of the $140M cash payout would be headed to pick you up in my private jet for the month long "I'm rich, B**ch" BT party in Bonaire.

Instead, I'm doing yard work.

Oh cruel fates, why have you abandoned me?

Glad you got to dive anyway PegiPie... I was going to name my daughter Kayla if ... but I got two boys.

Neil, George has to work that weekend. Maybe my daughter and I will come. I'll have to talk to G about that. You know how guys are...LOL
And STEVE! You have to fly right over me to get there, there's an airport IN my backyard....

PegiPie,

You are on the VIP list... You all are. If I ever win the big one!

Thanks for fixin' that Timmmy! I put it thru the redeye thing in Picasa twice, but it wasn't fixing them. I don't know why. There's quite a few of both of us like that. I'll get it later.
Yes, the diving was good. That was her first dive. Well, since getting certified. Just Me and my baby girl

Even her bc is a Mares "Kaila" It means style in Hawaiian, so I read on the Mares tag.

Steve, you should look into chartering one for now. We all get to Bonaire, have the party, do some dives, not in that order, or maybe... You know, practice.

Maybe ya'll can make the next one. Looks like we are starting another class within the next week or so and that checkout dive will be sometime in October. Meanwhile we're all going to Pensacola to dive the Oriskany at the end of the month. Looking forward to that dive. Stay in touch. I'll let you and George know about the October dives. See ya.

Hmmmmm... That's a great idea. Hang on. I going to see if I can get my credit card limit adjusted appropriately.

Crap! They wouldn't go a nickel over $200. Man, I thought they were my friends. - LOL

Explain this Oriskany to me...?...
Am I asking ANOTHER blonde question here?
I will post this, then Google that word!

A ship that is now a reef....
let me read more....

It's a retired aircraft carrier they sunk off of the coast of Pensacola last year. It's somewhere between 800-900 feet long. The flight deck is at 130 and the control tower is in about 65 ft. The only down side is that it is a twenty mile trip out to get to it. Should be a great dive though.

Hi Freddie!

Sorry, forgot to say Hi earlier.

I wanna do that dive too, but it's a trip in itself for me. I did get to dive the Saratoga a couple years ago...that was a hoot. There is a retired carrier near me, in Alameda, Ca., that we walked through before that dive trip...very helpful, even if they're different class ships. Gave me a little bit of a bug for wrecks, even just the outside....

I just wish I was back at the dive site in your picture. We actually got up one morning and got into Oil Slick at around 5:00 am and was coming out of the dive as the sun was coming up. It was a pretty awesome dive. Catching the night shift going off and the day shift coming on.

If you ever get to the Bahamas be sure to dive the "James Bond" wrecks. Nice dives.

That would be 911 ft. long, Neil!LOL They have a great web site! I want to go there too! I know George would love it. Gas up the Psyco Van, Baby!!

Oh, Oh the "Mighty O"

I can't wait to talk G into this one! He's always telling me to find new places to dive. Well, HA! I like this one!

Pegi,

What kind of depth at Blue Springs? How big is the actual springs. Their website doesn't give much information ref diving.

Good Afternoon, Jerry

Are you busy, sulking or just under the desk? Come out, come out, where ever you are!

PegiSue, great pictures!

CB, come dive the Yukon! (NOT lol!)

In the boil you can go down to 60' and that's where the sign is that says not to go any further or you die. Nice... But if you go further, you need a flashlight and it goes past 100 ft. I got to 92' once, with an instructor. There's a fairly large area around the boil itself, that goes from 5' to 20 ft, then the entrance into the boil.
Then there is the "run" that is just a relaxing beautiful thing. After the dive, just let the current take you all the way up the run to the swimming area where there are steps. There are lots of fish, turtles, plants, and swimmers that look pretty scarry underwater!LOL

What I have of Blue Springs...

Pinata Mondata, they don't take boats to the Yukon. It gets them dirty. And it makes the Crew tired.

I sure did like SoCal diving, by the way. Nice to get in the water without having to wear survival gear. And the Lobster and Garibaldi were fun. Any chance you might still get some water time with Martin? I did enjoy diving with him.... Diving With The Mods, hee, hee.

Pegi Pie, I never get to dive fresh water. I'd be fun to try something different. As I've said before, another chance to be a dork!


(Message edited by barbara_gibson on August 28, 2007)

(Message edited by barbara_gibson on August 28, 2007)

Hi Kini,

How's the sacroiliac(sp?) today?

---

quote:

Pinata Mondata, they don't take boats to the Yukon. It gets them dirty. And it makes the Crew tired.

---

Not only that, but they are already tired from not answering the phone and not talking to potential customers...or are in class and can't call you back ;-)

Kiwi, it's surviving...I think however that one of our dogs is having sympathy back issues...Geezela woke me up yesterday morning around 5am whining (and she is not a whiner)...couldn't really move, and yiped when we tried to touch her or pick her up. Got home from work yesterday and it wasn't any better, she was really in pain. I'm the "let's take her now" worrier and Michael is "let's wait until tomorrow." So, at 2AM this morning I woke Michael up as poor Geeze was really in pain...and off we go to the ER vet...after examining her, thought it wasn't bowel (which we were afraid it was), but probably back. So, sent us home with some pain pills and Dylon took her to the vet this morning. Just got off the phone with our vet, and he thinks it's her back as well. She's "presenting" (love that doc speak) typically with a negative left foot response or something like that (Becky probably knows what I'm talking about, and my left foot is presenting just fine BTW). Anyway, so X-rays, blood work, and waiting for the vet to call me back and hopefully it will just be steroid injections and preventative treatment...for now...poor thing

Poor Geezela. I don't deal with pets in pain very well. Hope she feels better. Can you two share medications? Glad to hear your left foot is presenting well.

Kiwi, I don't do well with pets in pain well either...I'm much better with humans...lol! I think it's because they can't tell you where it hurts. And Geezela is not a whiner at all, so I know that she was really in pain.

I'm gonna see what good meds she gets today, and maybe nab a few when I get low.

Thanks for the left foot presenting well wish, now, if I can only do something about the right one...

Here is Geezela, Cecil's "other" girlfriend She fell in LOVE with him when he and Art came out to dive with us

Candy, please give Ms. G a gentle hug from us. I wonder if it was the hula? She was a closet dancer Seriously, I'm sorry to hear about the vet visits... please let us know how she's doing.

Jerry, you doing okay?
Kiwi, you're doing a fine job holding down the fort today. I'm sorry I can't stay and play... deadlines are looming over my head like the Orbitz Notification thingy (okay, too much tv for me lately!)

Bye for now

I do believe Jerry said he would be MIA today. I know he said that somewhere just the other day.

Oh by the way. I have to go do check out dives tonight and tomorrow for my 2 semi private students. So I might be MIA also.

Thanks Patrick. You'd better use the Doc's ear plugs or you'll be a hurting puppy!

Dear Geezela, we wish you a speedy recovery and lots of pampering! If we were there we would pet you all day!

Ms.(I assume)Geezela,

Hope you're feeling better and the meds are working wonders!

Great pic Kini!

Cynde

Our youngest Pointer 6 years old is also in the wars and currently been kept at the vets overnight on a drip. You love em, but boy does it hurt when they are very sick. Hope it goes well with your pets and our junior dog too.

Hi Mare!

Brian, what's wrong with your pup? It does hurt when they hurt. I had to hold the tears back when I was talking to the vet. I just couldn't sleep last night at all hearing every little whimper she made, so I figured that we might as well take her to the ER in the middle of the night to get some relief...and some sleep later.

I do wonder though, who the heck is out driving around at 2 and 3AM in the moring? definitely a weird time of night/day whatever when you are groggy and sleepy!

No, No, NO!!!! Not another hurt pup

Pet ERs just scare the bejeebers out of me.
Brian I'm sorry to hear that you baby is not well. I think of you every time Rasta gets her acupuncture and how it helped your pup.

I'll keep good prayers going for both of your little ones

I'm with you on Pet ERs, Boom. Specially, when you have no other choice.

We are really lucky that we have a fantastic one near our house. All the vets refer their clients there in an emergency. The vets and staff are wonderfully caring. They put our Nick down years ago in the middle of the night, Punkie has been there, and Angel has been there. I don't think Buttercup or Momo have...but then, I have CRS anyway. We actually feel good when we go there because we know they will get excellent care

Cynde & Brian.....Please know we're sending our Yorkie hugs and prayers your way. These fur kids can really pull our heart strings.

I know when our girls are illing it just makes me feel awful. Please let us know how both your babies are doing.

Kobi

Cynde and Brian,

All of the wild things here want to send your babies the best. The kitties want to make certain that lay back and rest in the sun

and Nia is glad that they didn't keep their heads in the "sand" or bucket as the case may be about their pain

But seriously - big BT hugs for your honey bears.

Aaahhhh - hurting pups be well...... We love our furry babies......

Here's hoping both Geezela and Brian's pup are on their feet (all 4 of them) again soon! It just stinks to see them in pain and feel so powerless.

Gentle hugs to them both!

Thanks for all the kind wishes, we should find out more in the next few days about Gunner our rescue Pointer as his tests come back. He has had a bad stomach for the last few days and on Sunday had completely gone off his food.

The foot thing is were they turn the dogs foot so the weight is on the knuckles rather than the pads. The dog should quickly straighten the foot, when our eldest dog Bosun had his back problem this reaction was missing. I hope Geezela reacts speedily to medication.

This is Gunner

What beautiful critters! Good thoughts for them all.

Geezala sick, say it ain't so. I'll be on the next plane. Maybe she got a sympathy slipped disk for her mommy.

Cecil, I knew you would be crushed when you heard it was Geezela. It is her back, Michael didn't get the specifics though (grrr) so I'm going to call the vet today. Brian,you're right about the foot thing. What was the treatment for Bosun? They have her on pain meds and an antiinflammatory like celebrex (can't think of the name now, but there is a doxie on the box...hmmm). Anyway, she actually slept in her usual spot last night, on the pillow above my head, then moved under the blanket early this morning and hugged my side like she normally does. She however, is still on the pillow as I type, not wanting to move. The vet said she should respond to the treatment soon...I hope so.

I hope they find out soon whawt is wrong with Gunner. It is so white nuckling to now they are in pain, and especially not eating. big hugs and please keep us posted.

Our first fear was dog bloat (never heard about it until Gail's and Judy's tradgedies). I looked a lot at her gums, as did the vet in the ER.

I don't like to see or hear about pet's in pain - yes, it is so very hard to watch them when they're suffering.
Lots of BIG hugs to Geezela & Gunner - hope all works out well for both of them.
All your BT prayers & thoughts helped our Maggie when she bloated (over a year ago)- that was very traumatic for all of us! She's doing fine now on special meds.
Sending very special prayers & thoughts for Geezela & Gunner. They are both beautiful

Becky, I didn't see your post. What is that called when they "present" with the left foot/feet?

Judy, glad Maggie is well. Fear of dog bloat was the reason I convinced Michael to go to the ER in the middle of the night...

Cynde

In Bosun's case it was a disk squeezing his spinal cord, they had to inject a dye into his spinal cord and then take x-rays. They spotted the distortion of his spinal cord and were able to operate. He was 11 when this happened and in total we paid about $3,000 to $4,000 in vet's fees. But two and a half years later he is a very happy dog and younger than a year ago. He is on Rimadyl (pain killer) and Nutradyl joint supplements and accupuncture every 4 to 6 weeks for his Rheumatism. Bosun is missing Gunner though.

I hope Geezela has a less problematic injury and is running around pain free quickly.

Thanks for all the good wishes for Gunner he is just over six years old and a rescue dog. We were his 5th home and got him when he was just over 3 months old. His tests came back today and are showing high kidney enzymes so he is going to be in doggy ER for a few more days while they trace what the issue is. We think it is probably an injury that has flared up from when he was a pup as he came with a broken/missing rib which is close to the kidney area. He is also a very skinny dog who does not put weight on very easily. Fingers crossed that it is something that is easy to treat.

Been lurking here most of the day, but had to post that I hope that all our BT Doggies get better soon. My little Ginger (JR) sends lots of doggie hugs to all her furry friends that are sick or in pain. Here's where I wish I could take a pic with my camera and put it on here for you to see my Ginger too. She is a cutie! Still bouncing/jumping over three feet in the air when happy and she is now 13 years old.

Brian, we'll keep good thoughts for Gunner. That would make leaving for Bonaire difficult. It sounds like Gunner was destined to find you and Sue and a safe home. Such trauma and only 3 months old

Geezela is just trying to trump the 3 other dogs... "look Ma, I hurt just like you!" Cynde, maybe Michael can make her a back brace to match yours Hopefully she'll (& you) will be back to dancing soon!

Brian, I hope Geezela's is less problamatic than Bosuns...and that Gunner gets well soon and it's not something that is extremely serious. Poor little guy...he's lucky you have him for sure.

Boom, I think she is trying to trump for attention. Michael did ask about a doggie back brace..."heck, my wife's wearing one, why can't geezela have one?" lol!

I can attest that my sister geezela is trying to trump for attention. Normally, I get most of it, and I am suffering cruely with her whining and limping...but I do hope she get's better soon, cause she's my sister, and I am completely lost without her. In fact, mom and dad call us "the twins."

hugs geeze and get better soon. I'll tell her you have all sent well wishes.

I hope Gunner get's better soon...doggy ER is no fun!

I don't know Cynde, you'd better watch your back (literally!) Geezela might just be trying to make a move on Michael.... you know take over the top notch spot

Brian and Cynde, I hope your pups can be fixed up and good as new as quickly and for them painlessly as possible! It's obvious they're both charmers, and much loved. Geezela is gorgeous, and Gunner is handsome and has the eyes of a wise soul.

My kitties Mobie and Eddie, though they're not usually very fond of doggies, hope you get well soon. So do the horsies Dusty and Tico, who like doggies just fine, and hate to see any furred ones hurting.

Susan, thanks.

Boom, you're right.

Just got this email from Michael "the vet called and Geezela's blood work came back and it looks good. she should heal up just fine in a few days."

yiipeeee...

Cynde

Note of caution if it is a squeezed cord it may not show in the bloodwork. But the vets should know their stuff.

Susan Debbie Tara Judy and Cynde thanks, we hope our "pup" is treatable and thanks for the good wishes. We have a great clinic for them run by three lady vets and an all female staff.

Brian, I'm waiting for the vet to call me back to tell me exactly what the x-rays said....I need to know!

Cyn - I think the reflex you are asking about is called a "Conscious proprioception" (or CP) reflex, like Brian said... you turn the foot over (rest the top of the foot on the table) and see if they turn it back and how quickly they do. If it is very slow or absent, it means they don't detect the foot's placement as abnormal and there is some spinal... hmm damage isn't the right word... lets say "pinching" by either a disc or maybe just swelling or possibly some arthritis bony spurs.

I hope she heals up quickly... and Gunner too! ;)

Becky you're the best! Thanks for being our cyber vet

Yeah Becky the Cyber Vet Yep, that's it. Her left foot...she woulnd't turn it right. She is doing much better though I must say...she gave punkie "the business" when I got home last night. They all have this funny little routine when I get home from work. She's moving slowly, but definitely improving. Keep your fingers crossed!

Brian, please keep us posted on Gunner...

Hey Boom(and Cynde - you snuck in there while I was having 'puter problems) No problem!!


(Message edited by morgans4me on August 30, 2007)

Sad to say Gunner after more tests has kidney failure, we don't yet if it will be manageable or terminal, that will take a few more days.

Cynde

I hope that at least one of our pets gets through this.

Oh no, Brian. I'm so sorry. He looks like such a good boy. I'm holding out good thoughts for you... this is the tough part of loving our creatures so much.

Brian, I'm so sad to hear this, I will keep hoping it will be manageable and send good vibes your way.

Brian, Big hugs to you and Sue and a soft pet to Gunner.. they are here for so short a time but hold a special place in our hearts and souls..My thoughts are with you..and I hope that Gunner gets better
Cynde, I hope Geezela overcomes this problem she is having.. BIG Huggy hugs all around here...

Big Hugs Brian and Sue. We'll be keeping the hope for Gunner. He is a beautiful boy.

Brian, Sue, we are all pulling for Gunner!

Oh, Brian and Sue I am so sorry! I hope it's manageable; he's too young, it's so wrong for him to be sick like this.

I'll keep crossing my fingers and toes, and get the hooves and paws in the act too, that Gunner can be helped still.

Brian, I have tears. I hope it is managable...I'm so sorry!

Geeze is much better today (I hope Gunner follows her lead). She gave me a "woo woo" this morning and rolled over for her morning mommy hugs and belly rub. She's still hesitant to go up the doggy ramp, but amazingly better than she was two days ago. I just wish my back responded so fast!

Brian, Sue, again, hugs to you, Gunner, and Bosun (especially as he misses Gunner)

Brain, I too am hoping for the very best for Gunner.

Gunner, get well soon,
Arf!

Brian, more wishes for a manageable prognosis for your pup. I agree he's too young

Brian, I am saddened to hear this news about Gunner.
Here's hoping that modern medicine will be able to heal Gunner.

Gunner update - We are told despite his blood test results with continued high kidney enzyme levels he is alert, active, vocal and eating, so the little fellow is fighting back.

He should be home today and off the drip, if he stabilises without it; then he has a chance. The next few days will be the real test for him. His life expectancy was estimated to be one month to four years, but we are optimistic. Our Bonaire trip is off as there is no way we could put him in kennels just now, our flights are none refundable, but the hotel has been very supportive.

I think if and when he is up to it we will take Gunner for a holiday by the sea instead.

Big thanks for your support in these last few dark days, hopefully we will see the light at the end of the tunnel soon.

OH Brian!!! Your news has me both continuing to pray for Gunner and also still crying. I know you're glad he's coming home to be with you and your family! I am glad he's eating and fighting like h*ll; this is all great news!!!

Your decision on a no go for BON is hard but Gunner needs you now more than ever. Hopefully airline tickets can be used later? I sure hope so.

Please give gentle hugs to him and PLEASE keep me posted. Been thinking about you both all week and have and NO internet connections at work to stay in good touch with the board.

Hugs from here in Virginia...

Kobi

Oh, Brian I'm so sorry about your Bonaire trip, but hopeful that Gunner's health will improve with you both there to love on him and help him in his fight.

I'm sure coming home to you both will give him the strength to fight this too. If he stabilizes, does that mean that it could be treatable with meds? I hope so! Poor guy!!

Brian & Sue - My heart goes out to you both & Gunner as well. I'm sure he'll be so happy to be home and I hope and pray that he'll give you many more years of his companionship and devotion.
Sorry to read about having to cancel your Bon trip but I know what you're saying about not wanting to kennel him at this time.
Hugs to you, Sue and Gunner
Praying for the best

Brian - I'm sad that we are not going to get together this trip...But I'm happy that Gunner is doing better! I'm sure our paths will cross again.

Gunner --
a big tail wag to you buddy,
Arf!
And hang in there!

Sue & Brian, happy Gunner is coming home, he'll be so happy to be with you guys.

Brian and Sue I'm too am sorry that we won't meet next month, but I wouldn't be able to leave if any of my kids were seriously ill.
Sounds like Gunner has been a fighter all his life and you've brought him what he needs to win his battles. Enjoy your homecoming with him.
Know that we'll be keeping your family in our thoughts, just as everyone did for us.

Thanks for the wishes he looks a lot happier, the vet was concerned that his creatinine levels are still very high, but hopefully they will have gone down when he goes back to the vets on Monday. Still a bit more to go before we know if he will survive. At least Bosun is happy to have his buddy back now.

I am going miss meeting you guys next month, sadly our flights were none flexible, but we have enough KLM points for replacement flights when think it is suitable to travel.

It's just good to be home.
Get well Gunner!

Brian and Sue,
Here's hoping Gunner's kidney values keep going down, even if it's ever so slightly but progressively down. I had a patient with acute renal failure from a bacteria (Leptospira) who took around a year to a 18 months to stabilize and be off subcutaneous fluids, and she is holding her own now with no fluid therapy. Hopefully Gunner will follow suit!
Becky

Becky thanks, his urea levels have dropped well but the creatinine has only come down a little bit. We have talked to our vet about injecting subcutaneous fluids and she will consider if she happy for us to this depending on his levels on Monday.

He is on a Renal diet now - but still very hungry. Difficult as our 13 year old Pointer likes to torment him by not eating his food straight away. We are watching them closely so Gunner stays on his new diet. We also have some dried renal food we are going to make into shapes as treats.

Jerry,thanks, yes he is very happy to be home.

Gunner, we are gunning for you My sister Geezela is much better, and she, my mom, my grandma, and my "human parents" send big hugs to Gunner, Bosun, you and Sue.

too bad about your trip, but Gunner is appreciative I'm sure...

Punkie Paws