Diving and Micio?

In honor of Micio's return home today - minus his stitches and "cone":



My next new challenge ... Teaching Micio to dive!

Sunny Days Are Here Again!

Yeah! The sun is out. The weather has finally returned to "normal" for Florida - in fact, this past week it was in the mid-80's, warmer than usual. Which has been great for me! It was soooooo cold in January - I even built a fire in our fireplace one Sunday.

Don't laugh. I've been living in south Florida for 13 years. My blood is thin. I get cold if the temperature drops below 80: I put on sweaters. About the only good thing I can say about coolish weather is that it's easier to run if the temperature is less than 70. I froze my butt off at Disney - start time temperature was 46 degrees!

It was about 65 degrees this morning when Gianni and I ran the 4th Annual Run Through Central Park, here in Plantation. But the best part of the race? Gianni ran it with me, for once! That's all I wanted for Valentine's Day - his company and encouragement while I ran. I really need to find someone to run and train with, especially for my long distances. I did fairly well: finished 4th of 9 in my old ladies age group (55 to 59); with a decent time of 33:47, or 10:44/mile. Not bad, considering that I haven't been running very much since Disney, with the "cold from hell", long hours at the PD doing training, and Micio's surgery.

Speaking of which, Micio is recuperating very well. He'll be getting his stitches out on Wednesday, at which time he can start acting like a real cat again. He's so cute. See? Here he is in the sun on the back patio enjoying a wee little bit of freedom. But he's so funny! He keeps trying to groom himself by licking his paws and legs. Only he doesn't have access to them because of his "cone". It's painfully silly to watch him pick up his legs and hold them under the cone, and then lick the inside of the cone. I never said he was a smart cat!

Bathroom Recovery

Ever taken a shower with a cat?
Are you inhibited when "under observation" as you perform bodily functions?
Can you imagine putting on mascara under the curious blue gaze of a purring kitty?

Our office just didn't work out for his rehab - too many nooks and crannies where Micio could hide. He even managed to rub his "conehead" up against something and knocked it off!

So, for 10 more days, Micio and I will be bonding in the Villa Antona Bathroom Recovery Room. Notice the lovely Persian yoga rug for his healing butt to sit on. In the back corner, you can see the corner of his litter pan, filled with "Yesterday's News", shredded newspaper pellets that are softer and more sanitary. (What will they think of next?) On the bathroom sink counter is a clock radio, which I leave on 24/7 so Micio has some "company" when I'm not around. And his water bowl is next to his bed, on top of an old marble cigar box. (We had to raise it so he can drink - the "cone" keeps getting in the way of his head.)

And here's a closeup photo of the little darling, sleeping in his new bed. It's really a cool bed - stuffed and filled with fleece; removable and washable bottom; and just the right height -- Micio can rest his cone on the side of the bed and still nap comfortably.

He is so funny! Every time Gianni or I open the bathroom door, he starts purring like crazy. And he's been great about being cooped up in these tiny quarters. I take him, inside his bad, outside on the back patio every morning and every evening for a few minutes so he gets some fresh air. He sits quietly while I brush and stroke him - loving every minute.

After this traumatic experience, Micio has definitely become MY cat.

He's Home At Last!

Meet Micio ConeHead.
I say that affectionately, because even though he may look dorky, it is so good to have our precious Micio Bello home!

Poor little kitty. Here he is -- sound asleep but sitting up -- underneath my desk in our office. You can see where they had to shave his right front leg for injections; you can't see his partially-shaved tail and the bare skin on his back for the pain patch.

It will be 2 weeks of seclusion and inactivity in our office while he fully recuperates; another 4 to make sure the incision completely heals.

We think we've figured out how to put his bowls on a raised brick so he can eat/drink with this giant thing around his neck. It's kind of hard to cuddle and pet him, though.

Great job and congratulations to Nine Lives Animal Hospital for their speedy response, compassion and care during our immediate "blocking" crisis and surgery. Special shout outs of BIG THANKS to our veterinarian, Dr. Frank, and the Office Manager, Sue, as well as fellow-Snowshoe afficionado and Vet Tech, Cari. I know that they had to change appointments and work really hard to help us in this emergency. You are all marvelous!

Everyone at Coral Springs Animal Hospital was generous and empathetic, too - from receptionists, to veterinarians and nurses. (Even if no one could really pronounce our Italian cat's name!) We feel like our beloved little kitty was treated just like one of their own pets, and for this, we are very thankful.

Most importantly: We are so very glad that Micio's Home At Last!

Say a Little Prayer

This would be the Baby Micio.
At the local veterinary hospital.
Where he's been since Tuesday.

Not a very good thing.
Pooooooooor kitty. He has not been well since we returned from Mexico: Monday's emergency visit to our vet was "the last straw". He almost died.

It seems he has a very tiny pee-pee. And normal urine crystals and mucous could not make their way out of it.

I suppose I should I say, that he *did* have a tiny pee-pee. As of sometime later today, he won't have one at all! Our Micio Bello is having major surgery to repair his urethra and open it up so that he does not get "blocked" again. Apparently, it's not all that an uncommon thing for male cats. It's been very frustrating for Gianni and I these past few months -- and pretty traumatic around here since Monday.

So, this is a photo of daddy Gianni visiting his Micio in the hospital last night. He was so good! Well, actually, they were both very good - Gianni and Micio. Everyone at the hospital is amazed how friendly and affectionate Micio is -- commenting on how he's such a "lover" and purrs all the time. I didn't think they were talking about our cat, until I saw him and was able to hold, cuddle, and pet him in my arms for many loooooong minutes. I think he knows he's sick and that we're trying to help him get better.

Say a little prayer for him, OK?

Didn't Think I Would Run, Did You?

Yup. I did it.
Finally ran -- and quite well for having been OFF for 20 days! -- last Friday after procrastinating all day. Of course, when I ran again yesterday before the Super Bowl, it was very painful and a whole different story. But I did manage to finish almost 5 miles, at the slow/easy pace I wanted. The trick is not stopping -- during a run, or between run days. Once in motion, things are easy. Kicking them into motion is a pain.

I need a new challenge. Or two. Check out the two new icons and links at the left. WHY? I need my "own thing".

I so admire and respect Alex for his cave diving exploits and experiences (as well as his technical blogging). If I ever want to be his partner on "The Amazing Race", I just need to do this. Wouldn't that be a hoot? Watching Alex and I on national television as "The Dive Buddies" while we race around the world?

And I am so proud of Tracey! When I first met her, I showed her all about my REEF fish counting project. And now she has been selected by REEF as one of their "Advanced" counters to do research for their Grouper Project in Grand Cayman! And she can identify and count fish far beyond what I have ever been able to do. Oh, for the chance to humbly sit by her side in St. Croix when she leads a REEF trip down there in May (I hope, I hope)!!

Then, of course, my sister Linda. Everything she does in her life is something to respect and admire. I really want to visit the 7MSN sometime this spring and do a "dude ranch" kind of thing with her. And maybe because I've been sick for the past 3 weeks, I need to get back into some resemblance of FIT so I can tote bails of hay and pull loco weed with her - while I'm refreshing my horseback riding skills and running around the ranch.

SO ....., this is for me.
This year (hey, I know it's February; I just wasn't into making "resolutions" at the New Year) I will:

1. Run a 10:00 pace - consistently - for at least a 5K.
2. Complete the 100 pushups challenge.
3. And the 200 situps challenge.

The way I figure it, by next January, I'll be looking at a whole 'nother level of Half Marathons or some other wild and crazy challenge.

Still think I would do well on "Survivor".