The way the schedule worked out, I was on duty five days in a row. I’m thinking that was a little much for me, as I fairly collapsed when I got back to the rig last night. Three of those days I worked in the VC, and that is very hard on aging lower limbs.
It came to me that I haven’t posted any pictures of the Visitors Center, so that’s what you’ll get tonight. It’s a nice place, but the slate floor is hard on volunteers.
Besides the displays, there is a small nature store that is run by the Okefenokee Wildlife League (OWL), which is the local friends group for the refuge. I’ve worked better book stores than this at other refuges. In my humble opinion, the selections offered for sale here lack appeal to the visiting public. If I were running it, I’d do it a lot differently, but then I’m just a volunteer and will be moving on in a couple of months.
Most of the folks in the volunteer village gathered around a campfire last night, but I just wasn’t up for it. On my day off today, I did the laundry and took Emma for a good walk for a change, and did meet with the others for the campfire tonight.
Just before we gathered, I fed Emma and she did her business. As I hopped up to clean up after her, I was shocked to find some worms in her deposit. Ugh! She must have contracted worms at her stay at the kennel when I had my surgery. Kathy, the intern, told me she would pick up some meds for Emma when she goes to her vet tomorrow. I’m not happy about this development. Yuck!
With my surgery, I’ve gotten out of the habit of posting so often. My life of recuperation also hasn’t been very exciting. It has been pretty boring for the last month or so. I’m hoping things perk up as I’m more able to ambulate around.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
Posts
The meds should take care of Emma. Poor girl! I would contact the kennel and let them know. Maybe the scheduler is trying to do you a favor and keep you indoors for your recovery. She might think it is easier on you than being outdoors.
ReplyDeleteIf it isn't one thing, its another. Hope the meds work for poor little Emma. Hope the scheduler gives you some out-door activities. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteWon't they need a "sample" to see what kind of worms? There are a lot of different kinds. Hope poor little Emma recovers quickly. Judy, I don't think you know how to be boring.
ReplyDeleteDoes the counter area of the V.C. have those cushy floor mats for you to stand on when you need to be standing in one place? We have them here, and it makes a difference. A few times I was standing for awhile on a different part of the floor and noticed a difference.
ReplyDeleteIt is so frustrating when you trust your fur kid to care for her as you would...and then she comes home with worms. So sorry
ReplyDeleteWorms are not anything to mess around with, I'm glad she be getting something soon to kill them. Sure hope you can slow down some, sounds like you might be over doing it. Sure would hate to see you have a set back after you have gotten along so good. Take care of yourself OK?
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping Emma gets well soon
ReplyDeleteI think someone wasn't very considerate when they made your schedule. You should have had at the most three days on and then one or two off. Hope next week's schedule is a bit less demanding.
ReplyDeleteaw, poor Emma... sure hope you aren't overdoing! I don't know you well but I do know you're not 25... can't be standing and doing all that after surgery... not for the over 25 set... I don't think so. ;)
ReplyDeleteHope you can get a bigger break between shifts, and hope someone who makes the schedule takes into consideration your condition.
ReplyDeleteHUGS to Emma to get rid of those icky parasites... hope a good all around wormer will take care of it.
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Karen and Steve
(Blog) RVing: This Country Is Our Big Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com
It sounds like they're working you pretty hard. Maybe a frank discussion with the Volunteer Coordinator will get you some relief. Hopefully a little worm medicine will take care of those little nasties!!
ReplyDeleteMark
Remember that you are a volunteer and recovering from surgery! Take it a little easier for a while or else you may wind up back off your feet!
ReplyDeleteTake er easy!! We certainly don't heal as quickly as we would like! But it does take time to get back to full steam....
ReplyDeletePoor Emma, I hate kennels and sometimes it just can't be helped. I had a dog that I had to leave in a kennel once and he was loaded with ticks and fleas.
ReplyDeleteI think you are putting in to many hours way to soon Judy. Not good.
Good thing you caught Emma's problem early. Now if you were one of those dog owners that never picked up after her pet, you'd have never known. Hope she gets well soon.
ReplyDeleteYou need to take it a little easy, don't want to have you wear out your new hip already! :cO
I hurt just thinking about standing on slate floors for an extended period of time, day after day. I think the person who suggested that maybe the scheduler thought it would be easier for you to work indoors, might be on to something. If so, a conversation about it might be good. I wasn't happy with Lady's condition the last time I picked her up from a kennel. The only kennel I ever really liked is in Black Mountain, NC, and it was better than anything I've ever found. I think it would be really difficult to maintain a completely healthy kennel, especially when all the dogs do their business in a relatively small and enclosed area.
ReplyDeleteHope that Emma gets better soon!!..be sure to take it easy on your new hip!!
ReplyDeleteFrom half days to 5 days in a row!!!! Guess they don't realize how hard that slate floor is on a person. Hope you talk with the scheduler soon..
ReplyDeleteTake care so you will be ready for those grand kids.
ReplyDeleteThat floor sounds way too hard for a new hip and 5 days in a row. Enough enough.
ReplyDeletePoor Emma. I think you definitely need to contact the kennel and let them know. Whether they do anything about it is a different matter. And it is time to talk to the scheduler. I don't think I could handle five days in a row on that floor and I didn't have surgery. Take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteFive days on a slate floor would be very difficult for young person with good hips. I can't imagine how you must feel. Hope Emma's feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteugghhh. . .five days in a row. . .sounds like a real job! Time for a break.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are always great. . .sometimes doing a daily post just gets to be a chore. . .not a joy! Especially when things are so slow in the winter time. . .ahhh. . .but spring is just around the corner. . .things should pick up nicely!
Hope Emma is all better soon,
Janice
First of all...they are working you too darn hard! Second, I think it is normal to be in a bit of a depression after major surgery...Healing is more than physical, it is mental also...Both kinds of recovery can be slow...You are doing great on the physical...Maybe just being with Emma and outside (NOT working) enjoying nature will help the mental...
ReplyDeleteGlad you are mending well, Judy. It will all gradually get better. I still have a pocket of swelling on the outside of my left knee from having the replacement a year ago Dec, but I sure can walk alot better! Takes time for these bodies to heal, especially the older we get. Hopefully you will have at least a part of each day that is an enjoyable experience.
ReplyDeleteYeah, kennels often have worms, it's just a part of the whole thing... they have so many dogs coming and going, it happens very often. You can always call them to tell them, but they're probably used to it. As for your 5 days schedule, it's definitely too much for post surgery.... take care of yourself, it should be your priority!
ReplyDeleteAs long as we know your recuperation is progressing nicely ... you post when you feel like it.
ReplyDeleteI would guess that not having anything exciting to write about your surgery recovery is a good thing:)
ReplyDeleteDo you have gel inserts in your shoes? Or shoes with extra padding? That might help a little bit.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are getting the same problems I'm having with spammers. I have comment moderation set to come on after a day or so as they seem to mostly find my blog after a few days. That way, I don't bother people who I like commenting as much but keep these guys off.
Hope you hold up to all that work.
I am a new member. I am from GA, but have been traveling and living with my husband and our 4 rescue canine dependents for the past 17 months and loving every minute of it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't visited the Okefenoke Swamp....I am embarrassed to admit since I am from that state...will have to add it to my list.
Hope Emma feels better soon and you can get your schedule adjusted. Volunteers should be appreciated, not over worked?
ok this is from one 'you cant keep me down' gal to another....5 days in row on your feet is too
ReplyDeletemuch. at least at my day job I sit on my butt. I knew I had to take time out from the restaurant.
carrying heavy trays too much...and guess what I am an employee when I work...remember you are a
volunteer. and from personal experience walking is much easier on your body than standing. how
about telling them day on and a day off , or a day inside and a day riding around outside, ok done
w/ the lecture. Riggs said to tell Emma to take her medicine and get better
Donna W.
Yuck is right! Worms sound crappy!
ReplyDeleteNot much to add except I agree with previous commenters about taking it a little easier. Hope your scheduler will listen to you and sure hope Emma is better soon.
ReplyDelete