And so it begins...

What an adventure this has been!  So much has happened this month that I don't really know where to begin this post... I guess I will start with the car and move on from there!

I knew after I was accepted to PEI for vet school that I would be in need of a car.  The problem wasn't so much needing the car, it was that I SOLD my last car when I thought I would be going to St. Kitts.  The old car wouldn't have withstood the trip up here too many times anyways, but I might have been able to stretch at least one trip out of it before it needed retirement.  So, my father and I went car shopping.  I was in the market for a small-midsized SUV as I thought I would probably need something that could haul a UHaul with all my crap up to school for an apartment.  We searched and searched and finally, after much deliberation and teasing from my father (who hates the color or the car, and the style of it) I ended up with a Dodge Nitro (2007).  It had more gadgets and gizmos than I knew how to use- but a big perk was the space and the sunroof (of course that's just me being petty).  Problem 1 off the checklist for vet school!

Problem 2 on my checklist was the biggest problem of all-- I had no where to live on PEI!! I had been searching through some classifieds and though I wasn't terribly particular about my requirements, I did have some.  I needed a place that was within a certain budget (not that I wouldn't LOVE a place that was 1000/month nothing included... but I would also like to eat and pay bills for the month).  I preferred a one bedroom or studio apartment as I would rather not be distracted by room mates who may or may not share the same study habits as me and lastly I preferred a pet friendly apartment as I would like the option to have a dog or cat if possible down the road.  It is incredibly difficult to just look online and secure a place, so I decided after my last day of work at the clinic I would drive up to PEI and spend the weekend apartment hunting.  I asked one of my best friends if she wanted to join me on the adventure and she said sure (sucker!) plus she brought along her little dog Kenai.  In the interest of saving money and adventure we decided we could camp out while we were on the hunt.  The plan was to leave directly from work at 5 PM, drive to Burlington to pick Nikki up and then drive through the night to get to PEI.  Yes, we are certifiably insane.  

After work I drove up, got Nikki and we hit the road about 7:45 PM.  I drove and we spent the time on the road chatting and catching up on life in general, meanwhile little Kenai snored happily away in the back seat of the car.  We made it as far as Orono ME before we were both too tired to drive any further and we pulled off to sleep for a couple of hours.  We finally made it to PEI by about 10 AM US time... or 11 AM PEI time (Yes, I am an hour ahead of you back home.)  We set up the tent (which was quite a scene... but I think we did well!)  and on our way we went to look at an apartment (even though neither of us had slept more than the 2 hours since the day before and we were exhausted!).  

The first apartment was small, and on the third floor of a building in a section deep in the city of Charlottetown (well, as deep as the city gets anyways, it's relatively small.)  We entered the apartment and it was a bit dingy and run down and we quickly exited after opening the freezer and feeling like a dead body was hidden in it.  NEXT!  I looked at a few more ads, chatted with a few more people and ultimately came up empty on Friday.  I was bummed... I had sort of hoped that we could end the trip quickly so I had big stress off my shoulders and we could get home to get more things accomplished.  I sent a couple e-mails and called a few more people before falling asleep, hoping Saturday resulted in better luck.

Saturday AM I woke up to a returned e-mail from two people, and then a phone call to make sure I got the e-mail.  One was a bedroom in a house, the second scheduled visit was a 2 bedroom apartment close to school and lastly was from an ad I almost didn't inquire about.  It was a fully furnished one bedroom apartment, everything included.  I felt it was certainly above my price limit but inquired to find out more... turns out it was in my budget so I scheduled to see that as well.  The first place with the bedroom in a house was ok, definitely potentially an option if nothing else, but I didn't want to feel like I was just a guest in someones house, so we kept looking.  The second apartment was big, but filthy as the tenant had just moved out that day.  The rent was ok but only included heat and would have been at the top of my budget after all other utilities were factored in... though I agreed to go fill out an application on it if I didn't like the all-inclusive apartment.  

We drove 10 minutes away from the campus to the one bedroom apartment.  The door was opened by a woman who was probably in her 60s, and a happy dog who was introduced as Bruno.  We entered the house and made introductions and she brought us over to the attached mother-in-law style apartment.  The area around the house was country, and quiet- almost felt like home!  I was shocked when she opened the door as to how clean and beautiful the tiny apartment was.  I instantly told her I loved it and would take it if available.  She said she had one more person looking, but would get back to me in a couple hours.  I was bummed-- I figured if she didn't want me to sign right away then I would probably not get it, but we went back to the campground to wait.  2 hours passed and she called me back to inform me the apartment was mine if I wanted!  I was so excited!  I drove quickly back over to sign the papers and the get the keys!  It was fully furnished as the ad said including washer, dryer, appliances, heat, electric, water, satellite, internet!!  I was ecstatic.  We drove through the night to get back to the US... and then the packing and preparation commenced!  Thankfully my mom was a HUGE help and got me organized with school supplies, and other preparations!

On Thursday the 23rd at 4:30AM my dad and I loaded our vehicles up and drove to PEI.  It's a long trip-from home it takes at least 12 hours, and its boring- all highway!  We finally made it to the apartment, brought things in and crashed!  Orientation was scheduled to begin right away on Friday AM and we had to be ready to rock and roll.

Orientation on Friday AM began at 8AM with a breakfast for students and family/friends.  I met some new people there but was very nervous and still not sure if people would want to be my friend or not... how silly and insecure to feel that way as everyone was starting fresh basically.  After breakfast the parents/friends went on a tour of the AVC campus while the students met orientation leaders, and professors for a Q&A session.  After that parents and friends met with them while the students toured the entire campus (not the vet school- we'd already seen that!)  Then lunch rolled around and parents were able to leave or do other adventures while the icebreaking activities commenced.  We made wedding dresses out of toilet paper, played a get to know you game (actually 2), and then did some group building activities along the way.  It was nice to meet some new faces and I began feeling less worried about making new friends-- everyone was very nice!

At 6:30 PM was the Blue Coat Ceremony.  The Blue Coat Ceremony is a formal dinner and event where we recieve our blue lab coats-- basically signifying we are students and allowing us access to the vet teaching hospital.  My dad was very tired, and gracious enough to be a good sport about going even though formal things are not his favorite.  I didn't tell him that to get my blue coat he would present it, nor did I mention I had to write a blurb about him and why he is a mentor to me.  He was shocked when the ceremony started and realized what was going to happen... but when he heard what I wrote about him and as he put the blue coat on me I think he was truly surprised at what I said... it felt good to let him know how much his support means to me (and had my mom been there I would have written things about her as well-- for she is another huge support system for me!)  I should be getting a formal photo of us tomorrow of the next day from the ceremony and I plan to post it to facebook when I get it!

Yesterday the orientation activity was from 3-7 PM and it was a kickball (or soccer-baseball as it is called by some here) and park BBQ.  I opted not to go to this activity as I had a LOT of other small things to do... like unpack the apartment and spend all my time trying to figure out how to put together a DVD stand.  I went to the bank to get a new student account but apparently you need an appointment for that-- so I made one of those also.  It was a highly productive day and I'm glad I got so much accomplished, but I did sort of feel odd about missing out on the activities.  

Today was the beach day!  We planned to meet up at the school around noon (some people) and drive to the beach together.  It is a dog friendly beach, and also BEAUTIFUL!  I carpooled to the beach with two other girls from the class, and one of their dogs... and it was a good way to get to know new people.  I also met a few new people there and chatted with them.  I enjoyed the sun, a beer, and a beautiful beach breeze (ok, so the wind was a bit brutal at times).  It was a good way to relax before the real fun starts this week.. SCHOOL!  

The rest of the week there are a few activities planned, some of which I will partake in and some not.  Tomorrow is a class photo, Tuesday I am supposed to do a library session, go to the bank, and it is movie night, Wednesday night has been cleared now (we are at some point going to have a potluck with our "buddies", Thursday night we are going to the horse race track and Friday is a "Tour of Charlottetown Nightlife" which really means Pub Crawl!  Sunday is going to be a trip to the local dog park... which all are invited even if you are dog less... and Monday is a holiday!  

I got my schedule online-- tomorrow is an intro course, followed by physiology then macro anatomy lecture and lab.  Going to be a busy girl but I will try to update as time allows!  For now my phone number is the same (this might change if verizon screws me over-- which I feel they will), and I also have an address-- if you would like it please send me an e-mail or message me on facebook and I'll give it to you!  I also have Skype so for those of you technologically inclined- hit me up on there :)

Nonie

*I apologize in advance for this being a long post* 

I have started this post more than once since Wednesday.  How do you encapsulate a 12 year long life in blog format, not leave things out, and get the essence of their life correct?  I can only hope what follows accomplishes some of that.  

At somewhere between 6 and 8 weeks old, a puppy was brought to the shelter here in Rutland County.  She was brought in with a 17 yr old dog by someone who had too many pets and didn't want the burden of the oldest or the youngest.  This was late June 2000.  At the time I had been volunteering at the shelter for awhile, and had seen many dogs come in and leave with new owners, and I knew puppies went quickly.  Three weeks prior to this meeting of fate, we had put our old dog to sleep due to his inability to walk likely due to spinal problems.  It was the first time I'd ever remembered experiencing the loss of a pet, and I begged shortly there after to get another dog- the house was empty without one, and I didn't feel safe staying home alone.  My father resisted much more than my mother- it was hard on him losing a dog and though he won't admit it, I think the pain was too much for him to think of having to endure again.  Our persistence wore on him though, and he eventually relented and let us go see if there were any dogs at the shelter.  

It isn't a day I forget easily.  My mother was watching three little boys- who were quite busy- for a friend of ours, and we all piled into the van to go see what might be at the shelter.  Still relatively naive about dogs, dog breeds, and personalities we were just going for looks and and how they interacted with us.  When we strolled down the cage row there was not an empty cage.  In the second cage sat a small, big eared puppy- silently watching as we meandered down the row.  We stopped and looked at her, but kept going to see what else was present.  The kennel had erupted into barks and frenzy as we walked by dog after dog.  When we turned back to go to the puppy's cage, she sat quietly.  I asked my mom if we could take her out.  The staff at the shelter led us out to the outdoor pen and we sat down on the ground.  The boys were running and playing and making fast motions- none of which phased this little puppy.  We melted, and filled out the adoption application.  Really, the rest as far as her adoption goes is history- we brought this black and brown speckled puppy home- named Nonie (pronounced Non-E), short for Anonymous as she had no name when she was left by the original owner. 

For the first few days she was quiet, and afraid of men.  My father would enter the room and she would cower, seeking comfort in myself, or my siblings.  After about a week she came out of her shell and she was playing with toys and and causing puppy trouble.  She loved her crate, and was accepting of it almost from day one.  She had accidents in the house, but was quick to learn house breaking.  Through spending time at the shelter and gaining more knowledge of dogs and behavior, I wanted to raise this puppy right.  I spent a lot of time working on simple basic things with her, but I wanted to take her to puppy classes, and my mom agreed to drive us since I was too young to drive (or pay for the class).

Nonie enrolled in the basic manners obedience class.  I was a shy kid, I hated being put in front of people and I never wanted attention on me.  As classes started I would make my mom take Nonie out to the center of the room to work with her because I didn't want people focused on me (nevermind that I knew the instructor from the shelter, and was comfortable with her!)  Nonie quickly changed our plans though, refusing to focus on my mother frequently, and instead would look at me sitting in the chair on the side of the room.  It was pretty clear she had picked her partner in crime, and I was it.  As Nonie and I went to the front of the room and worked class after class it became a bit easier for me.  She made me worry less about what others thought of me, and more about what we were doing together.  She set the foundation for our relationship in these early classes, and really started her teaching of us humans at this point.

Once Nonie had made it through a couple of basic obedience classes, and life at home was getting more simple with her and her manners things fell into place.  I won't lie and say she didn't have problem times-- she stole shoes, remote controls, broke open pens on beds (ink is a fun stain to get out), and did general puppy activities.  Her early years went by, marked by swimming and fun- but also by being by my side.  As she matured, she seldom was not glued to me side.  If I went to the bedroom, she came... if I got up  in the morning so did she.  I could ask her almost any command or teach her a new trick and simply because I asked her, she would do it.  She was not disobedient with other family members, but she was not as quick to respond to them either.  She came to field hockey games, and was generally out being social wherever I was.  

Though I didn't know it at first, I eventually learned that Nonie's social skills were enviable.  There is almost no one she met in the 12 years she was with us that she didn't touch in some way.  She got along with dogs, cats, people, not shy and not pushy- just a presence.  Over the years I could take her anywhere- her behavior was never questioned.  In her later years she accompanied me to Kelly's house to spend time with his dogs, to my apartment to spend time with the dogs I was living with at the time... she was an adaptable dog- content to be where I was.  

Nonie was there for a lot of big milestones in my life.  She was two when I went to my junior prom, she was three when my parents got divorced.  At age four she was living with my mom while I went to Maine for freshman year of college, and by five she was thrilled I was back at VTC pursuing my goal of being a vet tech.  She was there when my grandfather got ill and was put in a nursing home, she was there when I was happy, sad, angry, sick.  There isn't a time in the last 12 years where she wasn't there.  I may have ventured to school and been away from her, but every time I walked back into the house she was smiling, tail wagging and forgiving of my absence.  There are not many people who I can say the same about.  

Cliche though it might be to say that a dog has taught you lots, in her case it is true.  In May 2009 Nonie and I went out hiking with a friend and her dog.  The hike down was great with the two dogs playing and enjoying the early, nice spring weather.  When we reached the bottom of the trail by the water the two dogs continued their romp and play.  Nonie slid on some loose dirt, and let out a whimper.  I could see her leg was swollen, and she was hesitant to weight bear on it.  Lacking a good cell signal, and not much battery life- I called my mom to see what she could suggest we do.  She tried to get a hold of game wardens to open the gate to the road so we could be picked up- but no one answered.  So she drove out to the trail, hiked down and met us with a blanket- in the hopes of carrying Nonie back up the mountain.  Nonie simply refused to stay on the blanket.  She wanted to walk even though she was clearly in pain.  Slowly, we made the hike back up the trail.  If she laid down, I waited for her to get her strength again.  If I stepped up to the front of the pack she would step her pace up- not wanting to be too far away.  After three hours we manged to make it to the cars, and thankfully the vet I worked for agreed to come meet us at the clinic.  

Nonie had torn the tendons in the back of her front leg.  It boiled down to a splint, a trip to the orthopedic surgeon and more time in a splint.  Nonie was a good patient- she laid still for splint changes, didn't fuss with her bandage or her sores when she got them.  She showed me that with her drive and perseverance she was going to get better.  Eventually as the leg did not heal after being splinted, we opted for surgery to put a plate in.  Leaving her at the specialists was about all I could stand- it was like leaving a child!  When we picked her up she was sore, and I was on the edge of crying at seeing her so doped.  We went home to begin the recovery process.  Again, Nonie was a good patient- at least until the day before her splint was due off.  She begain messing with the bandage which was a first.  I should have seen that as a warning sign- I should have caught onto her signals.  We took the bandage off thinking she was tired of it, took an x-ray of the leg and went home.  That night she chewed off two of her toes.  I do not know why- neither do the surgeons, or other vets.  I was heartbroken- here was a dog who weighed in at 80 lbs, and already had some arthritic changes- and we were facing amputation or euthanasia.  I fought with the decision internally but knew that in my heart if we didn't try the amputation, I couldn't live with myself.  The week before I was scheduled to go back to school to start work on my Vet School dreams, we amputated the leg.  I went to school, anxious to hear how she was doing and her progress... fighting the images from after surgery where she struggled at first to adjust balance and habits.  Nonie proved that she was a strong dog, a fighter- pulling through her surgery with flying colors, and making excellent progress in healing.  By the time I moved home to change college she was a pro at maneuvering three legged.  

People always stopped to watch her when we went out places after her amputation.  Children sometimes noticed the leg missing but often adults commented first on it.  Nonie didn't care what people thought or saw when they looked at her- her purpose was to just be her.  She still loved seeing people, going places with me, being around other dogs.  She proved to me that it matters not what people think of you, and not what ailments you have, but that you continue living your life without regard for differences.  Nonie still swam, and played and enjoyed her life- and had she been a human she would gladly have told us to not pity her, but enjoy every day.  

The last year had not been kind to Nonie's body.  She began leaking urine, so we started medication to treat that.  She developed hypothyroidism, so another medication was added.  She began coughing and through x-rays she was diagnosed with COPD-- more medication.  She struggled with her arthritis more and more, so two more medications were added, followed eventually by a third.  Last September she collapsed and would not get up.  I brought her to work hoping that there was something we could do, but fearing the worst.  We x-rayed her back and found she had some spinal fusion and changes, something we could only support but not fix.  We changed her pain medication to a steroid to stop the inflammation.  At 11, if she had to stay on a low dose of steroids we could live with that.  Unfortunately she developed urinary tract infection, and bloodwork showed a large increase in her liver enzymes.  I brought her to the internal medicine specialist who said it was likely the steroids doing it- and he recommended we stop and go back to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory.  I altered her medication again and things improved- her values dropped back to almost normal.  However in March she developed a skin condition that is rare- though related to liver and adrenal gland mal-function.  Though we never could sort out exactly why this occured, and it never really healed it also didn't bother her.  

In May, just at Seth's graduation time Nonie stopped eating.  We left her in the good hands of my friend and vet tech, who reported while we were gone she ate better.  I didn't think much of it, but when we got home she was refusing to eat again.  More bloodwork showed her liver enzymes rising again.  We treated her for the obvious signs, and she improved.  Repeat bloodwork the following two months showed increasing trends again, so we changed her diet and altered her medications to be less liver toxic.  Because I have been accepted to school and was going to take her, when her last panel showed still an increase in values my boss suggested repeating her ultrasound.  Monday August 6, I drove her up for her exam with my mom.  She maneuvered well in the clinic, and then again at the pet store, and practically pulled us to get ice cream after dinner at Al's.  Her ultrasound report was good- no obvious signs of cancer! I couldn't have been happier!

When we got home Monday night she could not get out of the van.  While not surprising because of the amount of exercise she had gotten, I was worried when she began knuckling on her front leg and not supporting her weight.  We carried her into my bedroom for the night, and hoped that Tuesday morning would bring improvement.  When I got up Tuesday she couldn't stand by herself, but after we supported her she gained her balance, and outside she seemed to get around ok.  She came back into the house on her own accord, and my mother and I left for work.  When I got home Tuesday night she was where she had been when I left for work.  I was not surprised she wouldn't get up for my mother- more stubborn with age she frequently would only do things I asked her to.  I couldn't get her out to the go the bathroom without helping her- but again once outside she seemed better.  Tuesday night after my mom and I went to bed I heard Nonie struggling to get up and come be in my room.  She fell, dumped water on herself and when I saw her she was mortified and defeated.  I pulled the futon mattress onto the floor and slept in the same room as she did, hoping that Wednesday would make her better.  

Wednesday AM my mom and I carried her outside.  She was completely unable to support her weight for more than a few steps.  She fell in the breezeway into my arms, and I knew we had to say good bye.  Nonie and I had been through a lot in our time together, and I knew this dog inside and out.  She would never stop trying as long as I stood there telling her to give it another chance, and for that reason I had to be the one to tell her to stop trying.  We brought her into work and carried her out back to say our good byes.  It was in that instant I knew my heart was breaking- losing a vital piece that had been with me for as long as I could recall.  

Nonie has been gone from the house for 5 days as of tonight.  There is a large hole where she used to be.  For her, there isn't anything I wouldn't have done, and I know she had the same feeling for me.  In two short weeks I will be busy starting the next chapter of my life working towards becoming a Vet.  I had planned to start this chapter with Nonie- but I will settle for doing it FOR her instead.  RIP you old goose, I know you are watching me, and we will meet again.