Pets

Isn't this face enough to keep a dietitian disabled :-)  This is Will, our vizsla/beagle mix (we think) that we adopted about a month ago.  He's settling in nicely.  He's been to 2 out of 8 obedience classes, and can effectively sit when undistracted.  He also likes Greek yogurt more than peanut butter in his Kong toy.  Weirdo.

<---- Saber, orginiall Justin's cat.  Not as photogenic.

 Miss Charlotte, originally my cat.  She could be a cat model.                                                                           ---->

 Will and Miss Charlotte get along well.  I got Miss Charlotte when I was in graduate school, straight from the Lenoir County SPCA in 2009.  She is more accustomed to being around other animals.  And she's friendlier than Saber.  And 90% of the time, more cute :-)  Saber was found in a barn in New York by our friend, Andrea.  She brought him down and sort of gave him to Justin shortly before we started dating in 2007. 

The vet says he needs some confidence.  So when we play tug of war, I eventually let him win.  Is that bad?  I also purposely throw the toy sort of near our more tempermental cat, Saber (whom Will is somewhat afraid of) to help them both get accustomed to each other.  Is that bad too - I feel like it is torture?  Working with him and following all the tips and types of training and ways to interact with him .... he's just short of going to a psychiatrist to build his confidence.  Sheesh.  It better work.  

On other notes ... I am starting pulmonary rehab at Duke on September 24th.  I am pretty exited - being home all day with no concrete schedule is not for the disabled dietitian.  And you have to do at least 23 sessions prior to surgery and after.  4 hours, atleast 3 days/week - yikes.  My wife/BFF/tertiary caregiver, Amanda, is a exercise physiologist for a cardiac/pulm rehab program at another hospital.  She is excited for me, and promises I won't die.  I hope (cross my fingers) it will help me gain some weight.  I'll also learn more about transplant and make some new friends, whom I am slightly afraid might be in the 60s and 70s based on the folks I have met in the clinic who are post-transplant.  

I also, compliments of my UNC CF team, am starting an antihistamine drug that also acts as an appetite stimulant.  Let's hope both that and the exercising help me plump up.