Slim the Wonder Iguana

Healthy Malilbu Slim the Green Iguana

Slim's 2nd place poster for the HSUS contest


Slim's X-ray 8/16/11 - What the heck is it?

Bladder stone that was removed from Slim's bladder 08/19/11

Slim home at Gold Creek with her first meal after surgery

I am not a reptile expert, so I am watching her closely and hoping she has a quick recovery. However, I am told Iguanas do not heal quickly. She gets her stitches out 14 days after her surgery. She still isn't eating her greens, but I can get her to eat bread and raspberries which are "treats." I am hiding her liquid medicine in the bread and this seems to be working. Any tips on helping an iguana heal after surgery, I am all ears!

Great photos of the type of surgery Slim had: http://www.lbah.com/reptile/iguanastone.htm

This is Indigo Speaking - if Indigo could speak/write!

Thursday began like any other usual day, mom and dad left for work and I occupied myself in the backyard. Pacing, sleeping, eating, sun bathing and napping. However, when they came home they seemed to be frantic (in a good way) and moving so quickly. Dad packed up the car, they put my overnight bed in the backseat and hoisted me in the car. WE WERE OFF! Hey, where are we going it is only Thursday night! I tried to look out the window, but when the freeway moves by so quickly my tummy begins to turn, so I lied down and closed my eyes. When I opened them, I had no clue where we were. We weren't heading to grandma and grandpa's, this isn't the way to doggy daycare either. We couldn't be going camping, we usually take the truck and we tow some big box like thing behind the truck. Oh I know, this looks like the way to Chavi's house, yes we are going to see Chavi and that other "dog" who kicks/stomps the ground and looks silly. Oh wait, dad, "You missed the 65 exit. You have to turn here to go to Chavi's house in Lincoln." Dad never listens, he must know another way to get there. I will stretch out and enjoy the ride. Wow, I think I was asleep for a long time, where are we? I have never been here, never ever. Okay out I go, looks like a new house to smell. This house is FULL of dog smells, and there is someone elses dog bed, water/food bowls on the ground. Mom says it is okay, so let's try out this new dog bed. It seems kinda cozy, but kinda smelly - I wonder who slept here last time! I hear mom and dad talking, we are in Lake Tahoe. Umm, I wonder if this is a good place to be! OH YES IT IS!!! We were on a long weekend in Lake Tahoe, North Shore. Let me share some of my fabulous weekend with you.

Friday morning we went on a long walk (long for me) to the Coon Street dog Park and I got to see this LAKE everyone was talking about. Lake Tahoe sure is pretty, it seems to sparkle. We stopped at a bakery called Scraps and I got to pick out some snacks. Here is the before and the during photos of me enjoying my cannelloni at the park near the lake.

After my snacks, we walked to a burger joint and mom and dad ordered lunch. We all sat outside and the cute waitress brought me my OWN bowl of water and dog treats. I think I like this place, they call Lake Tahoe!

Friday late afternoon, Cousin Kristen came up to Lake Tahoe and we all went to Yappy Hour. Yes, I got to go to Yappy Hour at the Ritz Carlton. I got this bowl of goodness, I never tasted a better cocktail. It was beef flavored water and I think I went to heaven for a short moment!! Mom and Kristen were laughing and enjoying something called a Rum River Cocktail. Part of the profit from my mocktail and the cocktails when to help the Truckee Humane Society. Dad seemed to enjoy his ice water(s) and I think he called himself the DD. However, I am not sure what a DD is.. Hope it is a good thing!
Late Friday night mom and dad's friends joined us. Saturday we all got in the cars and went to breakfast (we sat outside, so I could join them) and then we went for a long walk. Mom pushed me around and I got to see all the sights without wearing out my legs/hips! I enjoy sticking my head out the top and surprising people when they walk by the "baby" stroller. I think we could make some money in advertising, with my good looks and mom's smarts! Many people chased us down asking where we bought our fancy dog stroller. I heart my dog stroller, it lets me join mom and dad for longer walks and trips than my "senior" body would allow. The other stroller thing, has my buddy Brayden in it. If you hang out with him, he always drops his snacks and you can share with him!

This is me on our way home! I was tired! Lake Tahoe was FUN, but there was no time for my usual daily naps and you have to keep one eye open, because you never know when a sneak attack is coming from Brayden!

I must say, "I think I have a pretty cool life and I owe it all to Northern CA Weimaraner Rescue for giving me a 2nd chance and finding me a new forever home!" Thank you NCWR!!

Schedule [skej-ool, -ool, -oo-uhl; Brit. shed-yool, shej-ool]

I took the are you over scheduled quiz and my result was:

A Little Overscheduled: You're not in serious trouble, but you could be doing better. You appear to be a little overscheduled, and it could be affecting some areas of your life. You should be able to reduce some stress by using the resources below.
Resources for a Balanced Life:
Power Napping and The Importance of Sleep Learn how a lack of sleep can make you less productive and more stressed, and find ways of scheduling more sleep for yourself.
The Benefits of Assertiveness Learning assertiveness communication techniques can help you reduce stress in your life and clear your schedule. Learn how!
The Importance of Self Care Constantly putting yourself last on the list (or are you even on the list?) can backfire. Learn how, and see what you can do in the way of caring for yourself, too.
Stress and Nutrition Poor nutrition can actually cause stress, and ironically, the stressed and busy usually aren't the ones eating right! Learn how you can have a healthier diet and keep stress levels low.
Stress Relief with Exercises Exercise keeps you healthy and attractive, and reduces stress. Learn why and how you should work in a workout.
Mess = Stress Is your home a sanctuary from stress--or a cause of it? Learn why clutter can cause stress, and find out how to keep your home ordered and serene.

Are you over scheduled? I must say I tend to be happiest with a full schedule. At times it can become overwhelming, but it usually tends to work out. I use to be more of a people pleaser, but now I try to focus on what provides additional positive experiences to my life. Being able to say "no" to a scheduling invitation because time does not permit or you are not interest is a very good skill to have.
Tips for saying no:
STEP 1: You can begin by saying any of the following:
Thank you for the invitation, but...
I'm so sorry, but...
I would love to go, but...
I would like to go, but
That sounds great, but...
I wish I could, but...
Thank you for thinking of me, but...
STEP 2:
Then, you give your excuse.
If you want to, tell the person why. You can also say no without giving specific information. Here is what you can say:
I already have plans. (Also, I've got plans.)
I'm booked.
I won't be able to come
STEP 3:
You can stop the conversation if you want to, or you can suggest a future event: Can I/we _________ another time? For example, Can I meet with you another time? or Can we get together later? This means that you will do something together in the future. You do not have to be specific at the moment.

However, at other times I wish I could be in two places at once! Unfortunately, when I try to do this it does not always work out the way I imagined it. It can often become rushed, hectic and overwhelming and you are not able to enjoy either of your engagements, because you are rushing from one to another. I am getting better about declining the 2nd offer and enjoying what I already agreed to do. Overall, enjoy what you commitment to and review your schedule often and make sure you always find room for those friends, family and priorities most important to you.

Are you over scheduled? Take the the Quiz http://http://stress.about.com/library/overscheduled/bl_overscheduled_quiz.htm

Homeless Pets

I have a passion to help homeless animals find forever homes. However, if a dog has someone who loves it, but no home is it still a homeless pet? This week I was in San Francisco and I have become obsessed with homeless people who have pets. Outside the window of my plush hotel room on Market and 4th Street, there was a couple who used the same doorway every evening for their night of rest. The first time I glimpsed them out the window, I instantly thought what a tough life it is to be homeless and fight to survive everyday. THEN I peeked out the window again and this couple had a dog snuggled up with them. Now I became obsessed with watching them out the window and interact with their dog. When they woke for the day, they packed up their belongings, folded their blankets and walked away with their dog following behind them. My heart just broke, obviously this dog is loved, but he is homeless. I am use to homeless dogs (shelter dogs, foster dogs) who do not have owners/families, but this dog has owners but is still homeless. The dog wore a shirt and a hat and seemed to be very well behaved. The next night I peeked out my window at 3am and sure enough the same couple and their dog were sleeping in the doorway. I watched them out the window like a peeping Tom and watched my own reality show unfold every evening and morning. If I woke in the middle of the night I was compelled to peek out the window and see if the dog and his people were in the doorway. Sure enough without fail every night they arrived and every morning they packed up and took off who knows where. I can tell the dog is loved, but it breaks my heart when I think of all the "extras" my dog receives, high-end dog food, treats, baths, flea treatments and medical visits when needed. This "homeless" dog has the bare minimum of what any animals wants, LOVE and time with their people. I wanted to help this dog, but he may not need my help, he has more than many backyard dogs will ever get daily love, long walks and snuggling with his people every night. What are your thoughts on homeless pets who have people who love them? "This blurry picture was taken from my hotel room of the homeless dog and his people that I kept watch over for the last 3 nights. She is loving the dog here with head rubs and he is packing up their blankets and belonging for the day."