My Son and the Idaho Army National Guard

So, we've had our going away party, we've had our special, last minute dinner parties and get-togethers... my son joined the Idaho Army National Guard in November, 2007, and had to report last night.

The Guard had a hotel room in my son's name last night. He had to report, first thing this morning, to his final physical exam before getting his flight instructions. We anticipated he would fly out today. Yesterday, I was having a hard time believing he was leaving. Today, I woke up accepting the fact, he was gone for the next five months.

Then, shortly after 9:00 a.m. I receive a call at work. It's my son! They have sent him home and he reports back in three weeks! YEAH!!! Turns out my son has a horrible respiratory infection and they want him to get well before they send him off to boot camp. YES!!!

This means he'll be home for his birthday, March 20th! And, he'll be home for Easter. It means he has time to finish those things on his list that didn't get done. It means he'll be able to see Molly's puppies...she's due any time. It means he'll be able to help me with a garage sale. It means he has time to take down my Christmas lights still strung along the edge of my roof. It means so much to me to have these last few weeks together!

Monday Night Vet Visit

The puppies seem to be doing good tonight. But, last night, boy... it's heart wrenching to listen to them cry after they've had their little tails docked and dew claws removed.

My guy was brave, he actually stayed in the surgical area where the puppies were handled. I sat in the waiting room with Molly.

I do not know how I can justify this practice of tail docking and dew claw removal. I know it's AKC Standard to dock tails. I wish there was something we could give these little guys for pain.

Molly came along with us so that we could get a head count of the number of baby pups she will have. She's not that big. The x-ray showed two healthy pups, and that they were due any day.