Chipper II

Chipper II, not one, but II, was a sweet little thing. I didn’t know that would be his name when I met him. I babysat for my teenage living and he was the last of the litter that my employers couldn’t rid themselves of. He was a golden shade and a fluff ball and I fell in love with him.

The only other dog during my lifetime that we had owned was Rinny. My sister bought him for us. A shepherd and he was a good dog which we all shared but Chipper II, not one, was to be mine.

Knowing full well that I was going to have a hard sell I took him home only to hear that I had to convince my Dad for Mom was not sure if I should have him. Dad arrived home and immediately said, He reminds me of Chipper. Who’s Chipper? And the story began, he was Mom and Dad’s first dog in Western Springs, and what a dog. He was so smart and gentle and would let my sister stand on hi in the car. Occurring before seat belt laws and other such ordinances and before I was born. He was golden in color.

So there we have it Chipper II became our pet. His golden looks did buy him a sentimental shoe-in into our home. He was a precocious little thing. Children’s gates came out across the doorway in the kitchen at night. Barricaded as he was he would find a means to get over the gate. Dad was his night time keeper. A challenge was on. And we would discuss the many options to keeping Chipper penned in at night. It was such fun to come home to him in the afternoon and Dad and I would talk about training the dog. As he got bigger Dad would let him out by himself in the back yard – he was terribly proud of how quickly he responded to a summons home. But one night – I’m not sure how – Chipper didn’t come home. Checks throughout the neighborhood came to naught. Dad often told me he thought someone stole him for he was so beautiful. I never was sure how he came to have time enough to go too far. Chipper II had a short stay in our lives but meant so much.

Looking back I know why Chipper was here. I remember 3 or 4 times where my father and I completely connected and Chipper was one. We bonded through our love for this troublesome bundle of puppy love. We were a team, Dad doing late night duty for me and me working at learning to train a dog.

Today, the family kids me. Dad has been dead several years and Mom and Steve do not remember Chipper II. We jest about whether Chipper II was around or not and through repetition it has become a great joke. Such comments as Chipper II might be listening or was that when Chipper II was here? My family’s skepticism of the life of Chipper II doesn’t matter. For me, I sense my father with us as we laugh about the existence or non-existence of Chipper II. Our connection survives throughout time.

My Wow to Medicine!

I met with a business associate today. Laughingly, I was telling her about my sensitivity to medicine. There was the time that I was put on a high powered antibiotic and a serious cough medicine - I am up at 5 am leaving screaming messages on people's phones. Oh did I have some serious apologies.



Then there was the time when I was saving money and had my blood work done at a health fair. You would think after all the years I have been around the medical field I would remember that I should have fasted for 12 hours....... Result the wrong medication for high cholesteral and a crazy woman driving around town crying - and thinking she needs psychiatric help. Within three days of being removed from the medication.......I woke up excited it was winter and there was snow on the ground. I have even had to give up generic medicines where the stabilizers and I do not like each other and I have to use a more expensive formula.



Reminding myself of my personal inability to have positive reactions to many medications makes me much more compassionate with my clients. Some of our clients will be placed on multiple medications for multiple problems and reactions, discomfort, digestive issues are not uncommon. There can be a total change in personality and it is not always clinical depression it can be medicines reacting not only to each other but to the client's chemistry.

I have had clients who threw chairs across rooms (at the young age of 85) just to find out their medications had caused a serious change in personality - (and maybe strength). In helping others, one of the primary needs is to be a good observer. To recognize as we introduce change into peoples lives that they are not always so crazy.........Speaking of crazy, I think I will always make sure to tell at least 3 people before I start any new medications. I need their eyes and ears (hopefully not at 5 am) telling me if I am changing because of the medications.

40 days of Positive Thoughts!

The family pug had to visit the vet today. I had known that her teeth were not doing well but much to my chagrin, once she was under I was told it was worse than I thought. I am anticipating a horrible outcome. I think immediately I have been a horrible pet owner and then reminisce about all the dogs my family owned who only went to the vet for broken bones and terminal illness - and upon learning of the illness were put down. Wow it is expensive to own a pet today! But I don't own a "pet" . I have an animal who is a friend. She has taught my children so much. She has taught responsibility. Safety and behavior modification. She has taught them unconditional love - how to spoil someone and lick them to death and be spoiled. Our home is a safe haven - for we know she will protect us. She makes us laugh and plays with us. I rethink my first thoughts and know I am so lucky to be able to have a pet and be able to take care of it the way my parents could not.

I will pick up Em today with a light heart knowing that she will feel like her old self soon and be back to that playful friend I love.