420 interactions!!
I sorta boasted that it would take 5 professional pet sitters to look after the host of critters we have while we went away. It took two months of preparations and numerous meetings with all involved. I also had pics and writeups of all the animals that would be cared for, as well as oodles of stickies left around the house with reminders of things to do. Whoo Hooo - 5 people to do the job I normally do on a regular basis. Hmmm just wanted to let that sink into Kaj's head as while he helps out - he may have not realized the extent of the work involved I do every morning before he gets up or returns late from work in the evenings. I also hadn't realized how much I did until I had 17 days of rest and relaxation. Didn't realize how much I needed the break! I get up every morning aprox 5-6 am and have all the cats/dogs/bunnies and guinea pigs fed before Kaj even opens his eyes. Then I also take the dogs for quick walks and change aprox 15 water bowls in between getting ready for work.Litter boxes are always cleaned and then I jump in the shower and get myself ready for work. The routine is so ingrained in me and I repeat the process apon returning home from work too as Kaj works later than I do. Weekends are always animal related and we do major cleans of all the pens and do health checks. As each animal is special needs or senior and have individual needs, with the exception of Snoop and Merlin that leaves 28 pets that have special food or meds during the day. The pet sitters left notes like ...OMG! How on earth do you do it? When I picked up Panda and Snoop from prison and spent 2 hours there to go over what training Snoop had gone through - I heard the same comments. How the heck to you do it!!!! Although they only had two of the thirty pets - the dynamics of those two kept 7 of the people involved in the canine program active. (Snoop and Panda had a fight which scared everyone) and those of you that have been on the forum for a long time know the issues that Panda comes with. I knew that food was involved as they confirmed it was a tiny food crumb that caused the fight. In the house I am always on guard and pick up any dropped food in super woman quickness mode. ha ha! So in total it now brings up the numbers to 12 that took care of the pets. It wasn't until I had my first vacation in 10 years that I realized how "programmed" I have become of who gets fed meds/doors to use/triggers to avoid so everything flows smoothly and sleeping aprox 4 hrs nightly. I make myself tired just thinking about the thousands of small things I remember to do daily. Yuppers it was just something that came naturally but yet took years and years of practise. We also are really aware that we do not become collectors and each are taken to the vet on a regular basis and all heath records are filed and checked regularly. All the animals were dewormed/up to date on innoculations/spayed/neutered/walked/checked ...ect... So while I may appear to be Super Woman to the outside world..nyuck nyuck - knowing the dynamics and the triggers involved and avoiding them is how I do it. Kaj who is a math whiz once figured out the numbers of the animals involved and the interactions of each, totals 420 interactions. It helps that I use to work with disabled children and know to always being on guard and being pro-active is like second nature. However, now that I've had a break I realize - OMG I do need a life as I hadn't even realized how busy I had become. Marianne |
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| I really think the life you have is the one you want Marianne but I agree, you do need a break once in a while. Sounds like it was a wonderful vacation and the animals were all taken good care of, now back to reality huh. |
| I'm laughing my BUTT off right now. When I saw "420 interactions", I thought this was going to be a thread about smoking pot. 420 is slang for marijuana. |
| You are super woman Marianne and I agree you probably wouldn't have it any other way! I have to say I feel your pain too! I wouldn't change a thing either but, might like to go to a picnic or two one day!   You are a wnderful Mommy to all the critters! |
Haaaaa! Oh sheesh I hadn't realized the connetations of 420 either.  It's even funnier considering I just spent the last 10 of those 17 days in Amsterdam (or a short distance from it). Hmmm I'd better get one more pet so that the number is different. Kidding!!Thanks for the comments everyone and now that I'm aware of how much work is involved taking care of all those critters - even I won't take me for granted. LOL |
| cough cough...that was me who posted before this post...well now I have an excuse for my lame typing due to my over tired brain. Even forgot to sign my name..but at least I hadn't forgotten it. Marianne |
| Were you having one of your "420 interactions"? (I kid, I kid). All kidding aside, you are one heck of a mom to all your furry friends. Kudos. |
| Glad you had a nice vacation!! You deserve it--you are 'Super-woman' to those furbabies!! |
| Curious to know how 420 gained it's designation? Marianne, we've known you are SuperWoman every since the bricks.......but the most wonderful addition to your life has been Kaj. Even SuperWoman needs a companion to bounce off mentally and ....well, never mind. |
| There's many theories why marijuana is nicknamed 420. Just Google "why is marijuana called 420" for tons of theories. |
| I must be really old. I didn't know about "420". Marianne, this break must have been a wakeup call for you. Even you didn't realize how much you did...LOL In our book you are SUPERWOMEN!! |
CamVal1 wrote: I'm laughing my BUTT off right now. When I saw "420 interactions", I thought this was going to be a thread about smoking pot. 420 is slang for marijuana. Ditto. I thought it was gonna be a post about how someone's dog had gotten into their stash. Of course in California, with a note from a doctor, this wouldn't be illegal.  Certainly no one in a 420 frame of mind could get all those things done... either! |
QuailTrail wrote: Ditto. I thought it was gonna be a post about how someone's dog had gotten into their stash. Of course in California, with a note from a doctor, this wouldn't be illegal. LOL |
| Ha ha. Oh sheesh I hadn't even thought about other meanings of 420 and I live in BC where they have a huge 420 rally yearly. Would be funny if someone looking up on the net for info came across this post. Ahhh I can't tell you how amazing it was to get away and to have someone cook meals every night and me being able to sit down while eating! (Normally I race around between bites of food). Being able to browse and drool over shoes, purses and clothes for hours on end without thoughts of having to race home.(The last time I ever did this I was 17! Seriously!) To just realize some things I was missing, as everything I do is animal related. While I'm living my dream life with the critters, I hadn't realized I've also need some time to recoup and recharge once in a while. To finally meet Kaj's family and really understand how much he gave up to leave them and come to Canada. (No more 'itching about how much I do as he also never complains about the pets and the numerous things we are involved in.) Today, ironicially, is the start of the SPCA volunteer appreciation free workshops and we had both signed up some time ago. The name of the workshop..Preventing Burnout.  Again thanks for your comments and making me chuckle. Marianne |
| Boy I am so dumb. I had no idea that 420 was anything besides a number. I do lead a boring, quiet life. I think Kaj sounds like a wonderful partner for you and the critters. |
| Actually, 420 is considered International pot smoking time! Why, where, how it came to be I have no idea!! I don't even know what time zone it is referring to! |
 Maybe it's the pot smoker's version of the phrase "It's five o'clock somewhere".  Laurie and Oscar |
Oscar's Mom wrote: Maybe it's the pot smoker's version of the phrase "It's five o'clock somewhere". Laurie and Oscar Hey, there ya go! I am more of a 5 o'clock gal! |
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