Lessons on Male Anatomy and Veterinary Care

This weekend L had a little lesson on male anatomy and veterinary care, as, at the tender age of four, she assisted me in the neutering of our foster puppy.

I have never neutered such a young dog before (he’s maybe two months old?) but after much thought figured that probably the younger the better as you band lambs at just a day or two old and the smaller the offending “appendage” the better. Also, Kayo already has the makings of an aggressive little dog and he has the tendency to um, well, hump. While it’s sort of cute and funny while he’s young, it’s just gross and nasty as they get older. Not to mention that he will be living with a family full of little girls who think it’s hilarious and try to (quite innocently) imitate his gyrations, much to the chagrin of their mothers.

The Tools

Kayo yelped and cried for about an hour after the “event” but then settled down and slept after I gave him a children’s aspirin. As with every successful banding, it doesn’t hurt him anymore unless a certain four year old self appointed veterinary assistant tries to inspect it with her groping little fingers.

The Sad Victim

L received a wonderful lesson on male anatomy as I carefully explained what I was doing to the squirming puppy. I used child friendly terms like “wiener” and “balls” as I explained to my inquisitive four year old that the two are attached and you only band the balls (she was ready to band everything!). This came as a relief to not only Kayo, but Bridger as well, who was lurking in the back ground with a pained and nervous look on his face.

My clear, simple and age appropriate lesson did have it’s weak points however, as L later asked me if we could play with the balls after they fell off. I had to further explain that they were different than the kind of balls we toss, bounce and throw at each other so no, we would not be playing with them later.

One day later he is back to form, non the worse for wear, mauling and killing his squeaky toy

And he continues to be very trusting as well. Would you lay like this the day after I’d just neutered you? I wouldn’t!

After such an open and honest discussions at the tender age of four on male anatomy and what should be done with it, I have no fears whatsoever of explaining to her about the birds and the bees in a few years ;-)

Westernization Class 101

In preparation for our return to the States in just six short weeks, we made a foray into KLA with Tanya on Tuesday. The main purpose of our foray was to drop some money off with the Probation Officer in order to get a Care Order for L– a new requirement in the required three year fostering and adoption process. We love our Probation Officer – he is honest, hardworking and is not on a power trip AT ALL. Very, very unusual!

Anyway, in addition to our visit to the Probation Officer, we also took Tanya shopping at Game and sort of wet our feet into “Westernization” in preparation for our Big Journey in May. We rarely do this. I don’t take my kid out shopping much, as we get most of our stuff locally. Usually when I have errands in KLA I use the “in-and-out-as-fast-as-possible” approach and these errands never really require shopping for anything. Just meetings or paper chasing which are not terribly fun, especially for a four year old. Then enter Tanya and my need to buy dog food at Game (story on that pending!).

We started off the shopping extravaganza with a stop at a swanky coffee shop. Part one in our 101 Westernization class. The prices weren’t bad (even for me) and L and I each had a huge donut for the price of $1.00 each. Tanya had a chocolate croissant for not much more and it was fun to sit there munching and sipping amidst shiny tile and nicely dressed people sipping coffee while working on their computers.

Part two of our 101 Westernization class was a trip to Game where L delighted in riding in the shopping cart. Although it seems like she’s been with me forever, moments like this remind me again of whence she came. Trips to Game thrill her simply by it’s vastness, shiny floors and shopping carts!

Oh the joy of riding in a cart and being pushed down the 1.5 isles of toys! Imagine what will happen when we hit the Walmart toy section in only a few short months?

...Probably something like this!

For part three of our class, we then traveled on over to a shopping mall, where L got to sit on this little Harley and pretend to drive. Biker Babe for sure!

After our trip to the mall we rounded out our Westernization experience by heading to one of our favorite restaurants. 101 Westernization Class part four. This little joint not only has large contained trampolines in an air conditioned, soundproof roof for the youngsters, but delicious AMERICAN food for those of us from the North American continent. Tanya and I majorly indulged ourselves and PIGGED out while L happily jumped away to her little hearts content and ran back and forth checking to see if her French fries were ready.

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Tanya enjoying her steak and fries, while across the table…

…. L and I enjoy a burger and fries. Montana here we come!

So not only did we have a successful day (visit to the PO, dog food and Tanya's shopping), but we had fun too! And we all feel a bit more North American :-)

Happy Birthday to me!

Friday was my birthday and what a party we had! We had a bbq with my neighbors and some friends of theirs, and my pal, Tanya, from Southern Sudan flew in as well. So we had a nice cook out, cake (thanks to Melinda), even presents (thanks to all of Melinda's little girls) and a movie afterwords for the little girls. What fun!

See what I got for my birthday? A Spronk!

I rounded up all the candles that I could find in my house, just so we'd have something to blow out :) I really am older than 11, promise!

I got everyone to help me blow them out, except for Ella who had a mouth full of corn!

Ella and the babies, Kayo and Hannah, getting ready to watch the movie

A pile of little girls getting ready to watch a movie -even Sanyu joined in!

Freshly bathed little girls in their pajamas, watching a movie together.

I can not describe how much fun Ella had piled in her living room with her friends watching a movie. It was so cute! She'd wave to me every few minutes and announce to everyone how much fun she was having. Four year olds last until about nine o'clock before they have to finish their movie from the comfort of their mom's laps. What fun the little girls had! And consequently the mom's too :)

And even MORE fun with a puppy...

There is indeed nothing much cuter than a child and a puppy. Ella LOVES little Kayo, despite the fact that he is a tough little dude (he is SUCH a dog!). He totally loves Ella too, which is fascinating to watch. She is like a mother/playmate all rolled into one!

He was not too thrilled to be dressed in these doll clothes! But you can tell that Ella is pleased as punch :)

Not exactly how I recommend you hold your puppy but it sure makes for a cute picture!

"Oh how I LOVE my puppy. Too bad my evil Mom is giving him to the neighbors... I will be scarred for life!"

It's much more fun to watch a video with a friend :)

I love this picture - it looks like Sanyu is smiling!

Nothing like sleeping with your nose in a shoe. This puppy will be scarred for life too I'm sure, after living several months with us!

The dog we are babysitting, Ginger, has gone into heat. So now we have blood spots all over our porch (ew). I tried convincing Sarah to wrestle a tampon into Ginger but she declined. Wonder why? Hee hee... ;)

The Pink Princess

My friend, Prossy, just returned from Senegal this week and brought Ella the following outfit. West African fabric and styles are really amazing and this little outfit is no exception! And the model it's on? Well, I think the photo's speak for themselves :)

Truly an African Princess!

Unlike most childrens clothes that would be made here, this outfit is even fitted!

I'm happy to say, she's just as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside! She's a nice person.

And, not to be outdone by her "sister", another rare beauty :)

Fun with a puppy

It's a fact. Every four year old girl needs a puppy!

Pups are good for holding,

Pushing around in a stroller

Or watching a movie with

But sometimes that puppy just needs to get some rest... Upside down works best

Or chew on a Kong

On a sadder note...

"Strange disease wipes out dog pack"

Ella can give you a running commentary on what the puppy is saying, feeling or doing. The other day he was "sad" because his mother left him all alone under a bush, his mommy wasn't there and even his "grandpeople" weren't there! Awww....

A Note

I received the following note the other day, from my four and a half year old neighbor. I can not recollect ever receiving such a note before!

“Miss Grace,

You are a nice girl and my Daddy is not feeling well. Miss Grace I love you very much and I will never leave you. You are great and wonderful and you fill my heart with love and I love you so much and you feel so good in my heart. You are my friend.

Love,

Madeline”

Ahhh!!!It cracked me and her mom up :-)

This sort of compensates for her 6.5 year old sister, who is designing ways to make a cannon to shoot onto my roof (complete with fire). Sophia must be going through some type of weapons kick because when we were coming through the gate the other day she greeted us with a bow and arrow that she had made, to shoot me with. On a "sweeter" note (hee hee), she also made us a mobile out of candy, so perhaps she is just an artistically creative child :-).

Visa Acquired !

A successful morning was had at the U.S Embassy yesterday. I am happy to announce that Ella was given a U.S tourist visa to visit her Granny and Grandpa in Montana and will be traveling there in just 8 weeks! Yahoo!

Our interview was uneventful, after sitting there waiting for two hours. Ella was an absolute jewel sitting there waiting that long. It wasn’t as hard for her as church because she could at least talk, but there was no room to run around as the place was jam packed with others in line for interviews as well. She struck up a conversation with the lady sitting next to us and generally draws smiles and laughs from people. She is truly a delightful child and will be an easy traveler. Why God blessed me with a kid this easy is beyond me but I sure am grateful!

Mr. Poker Face who “interviewed” me asked maybe two or three questions and only asked for a copy of our legal guardianship form and a letter from my NGO, both of which I had. He also inspected my passport while typing away furiously on a computer. Ella tried to be friendly but he had no time for little girls. At the end he did actually take a look at her and ask her if she was Ella, to which she looked at him like, “Duh!” and said, “yah”.

After some paper shuffling, stamping and banging her passport around, he told us that the visa would be done tomorrow at 2:30pm and that we could come and pick it up then. All of this was done in maybe 4 minutes! That was it and we walked out, rather in a daze. Hooray!! The Hallands are coming home!

Dogs, dogs and more dogs!

Well, in just one week our dog numbers have doubled! Last week we found little Kayo under some bushes and this week a friends year old pup, Ginger, entered the mix for a short stay. Bridger was much happier about this female addition although Sanyu started out a little snarky at first. Funny thing is, Ginger looks almost exactly like Sanyu only she has different ears!

Our neighbors agreed to take the puppy, who they named Kayo, but are leaving him with us until he’s a little bigger (and if they’re lucky, potty trained!). He is quite the little pistol, sauntering around teasing the big dogs and chewing on everything. He is round and happy and enjoys chasing the soccer ball, which is about twice as big as he is!

Bridger is tolerating him more and more and here he is giving Kayo a lesson on “how to be a tough dog” – by sleeping on the couch.

Gotta love Ella’s face in this one! Do you think that this little girl is totally thrilled to have four dogs around to play with? You bet!

You can tell that Kayo paid careful attention!

He enjoys getting Sanyu to wrestle with him

And playing tug o war with Ella

We are teaching him not to bite by squeezing his nose and telling him “NO!” whenever he does it (which is basically all the time!). Ella is very good with him and surprisingly consistent. This kid LOVES rules and boundaries so has taken it upon herself to see that this small pup follows our rules too :- )

The threesome

Kayo also enjoys digging in the sandpit with Ella and Sanyu

But then he gets tired and falls asleep wherever his people are at! In this case it was beside Ella, under the clothes line where she was “organizing” the clothes pins. The little guy was fast asleep!

We’ve got...SAND!!!

Over the weekend we got a dump truck load of sand. At long last Ella actually has a decent sand box – or “sand pile” in this case.

The child plays in the dirt and the small amount of sand that we had, all the time. So it was really past time that she had a decent sand pile of her own. I still need to chop my poles and fix them around the sand so that it doesn’t get washed out.

We also put a bunch of sand underneath the swing set, to make the landing more soft. Before it was just hard murrum, which really packs down hard (it’s used here for roads).

Sanyu and Kayo enjoy the sandpit as well. Perhaps it’s because they camouflage so well in it :- ) The blue buckets are for the toys to go in when Ella’s not playing with them, otherwise these two will take them!