Back to School and Scnitzel Problems

Monday was the first day of school for the 2008-2009 school year for our two kiddos. My son Caleb started 8th Grade today along with his 30+ pound backpack. I am still having a hard time knowing I am the father of a teenager. I am so proud of Caleb. He is maturing quickly (although he is still waiting on a good growth spurt) and he has a great head on his shoulders. Among the classes he is taking are; Algebra, Spanish, and Advanced Reading. He is also in the Band and will perform at his first football game soon. Where is that little guy who's first words were, "Moo!"

Rachel started 6th Grade. She is switching classes for the first time and she was a little frustrated about it; but after the first day she said it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. She has an African-American woman Social Studies teacher, who Rachel says she is worried about, because she is strict. I told he to look for the wonderful opportunity to hear the History of the world from a different perspective. She is also growing up quickly and she will be 20+ before I know it. At least she still "beeps" my nose at night before she goes to sleep.

On a different note: Our wiener dog, Schnitzel is having some problems. Apparently the little fella is hurting his back by jumping onto the furniture and other things. He is walking around making noises like he is pain, he is not eating well, and he has some very loose stools. We have already spent almost $200 on him and we are taking him back to the vet this morning. We were told that if he "blows a disk" in his back it may require some expensive surgery. I love this dog, and I want him to be healed, but I was also raised "old school" where if your animal is costing you more than the family budget allows, and the animal is in pain, then you "put the animal to sleep" and find another pet. I am torn on what exactly to do with Schnitzel, but for now we will let the vet attempt to work his magic. If that fails, then I may have to pull an "Old Yeller!" At that point I will cry for a few days and try to bond more with the cat. Do I sound blunt and mean? I hope not, I do love the dog.

Family Update

The kids are safely off to their summer camps in Abilene. They normally have a great time there. They are both so big. As parents, we already miss them and can't wait to see them again on Friday. In the meantime, this gives Jamie and me a chance to really "work out" on Wii Fit.

Speaking of Jamie, she had some good news on her test results. The biopsy on her left breast turned out to be negative and nothing to be alarmed about. Thank you God for watching over my bride. She is now starting to make some plans to spruce up the house. She is discussing some new paint colors for the outside and the inside of the house. She plans on turning our "clunker" of a home into a real home yet.

Schnitzel is adjusting to his new "step-brother", Scout! Whenever the kitten cries out, he seems very concerned. He will walk over the little guy and sniff on him, occasionally lick him, or just hang around the general area until Scout quits making all the noise. So far, we don't detect any plans to eat the kitty while we are out.

Scout just returned from his first visit to the vet! Everything is normal for a kitten of 5 1/2 weeks. The vet got rid of the few fleas he had, and gave him some medicine to make sure he will be healthy enough for his first round of shots in a couple of weeks. We just have to keep feeding him formula and trying to get him to eat some softened cat food, since he is so small. I guess since we spent some money on the little guy, he will be here to stay.

As for me, I'm still job hunting to replace my current job, which ends on July 31. I just put in an application at a local hospital to be a recruiter. This person basically works in the Human Resources Department scheduling and interviewing possible new employees. Apparently hospitals have a lot of turnover in their "non-professional" staff.

New Family Member

Scout has arrived! Today my bride, Jamie, found her kitten. She wanted a girl kitty, but instead she ended up with a gray, boy, kitten. The kitten is 5 1/2 weeks old, and it was abandoned by its mother. We are feeding it a little kitten formula every hour and a half with a dropper. We are also about to try some softened crunchy cat food. We are also trying to get it to go "potty." The last time we put it in the litter box, it tried to eat some of the litter. ??? We were told to use a warm rag and gently rub its "butt" to try to get it to have a bowel movement. When the Vet opens on Monday, we will drop Scout off for a check up while we go to work. We will pick up Scout later that afternoon.

The kids are very happy with their new pet. The only bad thing about finding Scout now is that the kids go to summer camp tomorrow and they will be gone until next Saturday. We might take Scout with us to Abilene in a pet carrier. This way he won't be alone. Not sure where we will keep him while Jamie and I are at work though. We may keep him in the pet carrier while we are away, this will allow our dog Schnitzel and him to bond a little bit.

Schnitzel, our wiener dog, is not sure what to think about Scout. He keeps sniffing the little fellow and he growls whenever Scout cries his little kitty mews. At least Schnitzel is not eating Scout!