An interview with Greta: Up close and personal

Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?--Zoolander

Too soon, not coordinated

Greta wanted some help taking pictures the other day, so she could show her friends on Facebook how much she looked like her mom.  We set the camera up, and since I am the one with thumbs, I pushed the button on her command.  I hope you can appreciate how much time and effort she put into this.  I decided that we should all get to know the deeper side of miss Greta Garbo Price.

Jess: Greta, how would you describe yourself?

Greta: Well, for starters, I'm not just a dog.  I'm inGretable...get it? I'm think I'm pretty funny.  So do other people too, I make my family laugh all the time.  Sometimes, I don't know why I make them laugh, but they laugh a lot and then I laugh.  I really, just like to laugh, have fun, and be active.  I'm a big goofball.

Sitting on Riley-Super Greta

Jess:  Would you say you have super power?  I see that Turbo thinks he a budding super hero.
Greta:  Well...I do have the ability to make someone smile from real far away with how fast I wag my tail and how it wiggles my whole body.  I also have the ability to sit on all other dogs. Those are two pretty awesome traits.  Oh...and I can curl up SUPER small into a ball.  Yep.  I would say I'm super is some ways.


Jess: If you could describe your PERFECT day, how would it go?

Cuddling with my mom...one of my favorite things

Greta: My mom and dad and the rest of my pack would be there, a hike in the hills, treats of course, a ball to chase, a bone to chew, lots of dirt to roll around in, NO bath after the dirt rolling, lap time in between my parents where they pet me and tickle me and talk about how much they love me, and then another bone at bedtime or something really delicious.  That would be so fun.


Jess: Wow...that sounds like a great day. Do you have many days like that?

Greta: Um, ya.  My mom gives me treats every day and we get to hike and chase the ball a lot too...except the only thing that is different, is the bath.  I always have to take a bath after a muddy hike.  I don't like it.  They make me crAzY.


Jess: I see.  Let's talk about what it was like before you had a family.  Do you remember coming to live with your family? How was life at the shelter?

The Pack

Greta: Honestly, I don't remember it too much.  I feel like I've always been part of the family.  Sometimes when my parents go away and we have to stay at the playing with other dogs place, I feel a little anxious like they won't come back (that's why I always eat my bed when I stay there).  But, they always come back for me.  I just don't have a bed when they come back.  But I'm just happy they always come for me and love me.


Jess:  How about the incident in April?  Can we talk about what happened with Fawn?
Greta: It all happened so fast.  I was off pooping in the office and sewing room (according to the plan) and Gracie went to poop in the big room (when we broke out of our kennel, we had a plan and that was the plan)...and she found what we later learned was Fawn.  At the time though, we thought it was one of those special toys my mom brings us when we're good.  So we went for it...and it squeaked, like the toy so we were whooping it up, having a blast...and then it bit back at Grace...and we remembered about Grandma's dog, Fawn.  Grace and I licked her and licked her til all the blood was gone, but it was too late.  The whole thing took about 2-3 minutes, but it was devastating.  And we felt awful. For days.  We even sent Fawn some bows to put in her hair for when it grows back.  I hear she's feeling better...but it was all a terrible accident.

Fawn: The Incident

Jess: Wow.  That's quite a traumatizing incident.  Do you feel like you've recovered from it?
Greta: Yes...I believe we have, but I don't think we'll be traveling to see Grandma anytime soon though.  I guess everyone was REAL disappointed.  And at the park today, when I went over to see this other dog that looked like Fawn, my parents made me come back.  Some about a prey drive.  I don't know what they mean...but I have to come when they call me.  I can't not.


Jess:  How about your underbite Greta? How has it affected your life?
Greta:  Well, for one thing, I can't eat real fast so I don't have a problem with my weight, I probably wouldn't anyway because I run a lot.  Second, I have a real hard time picking the ball up first, even though I'm the first one to it every time.  I sometimes feel frustrated, but the good part is, there is always another ball that my dad throws.  So that's good.  And I'm not bitter.  On the flip side (I heard that phrase the other day and I've been DYING to say it),  I'm the only one that really knows what food tastes like.  The other dogs eat so fast and take it for granted.  Not me.  I get to savor and enjoy it.


Jess:   What's your favorite thing about family life?

Let's both stick our tongues out, k?

Greta:  I love that we do a lot of the same things everyday.  It's real fun.  I love when my mom takes some yummy pepperoni and makes me do all kinds of things and then gives it to me.  I love that when it's time to go outside or go anywhere, my mom yells: "C'Mon Kids!"  We all run to her.  It's so fun.  I love when the little boy Kaenon comes to our house and wants to run and play with us.  We chase bubbles in the backyard and go to the park a lot.  Families are great...I hope that all dogs get a family forever.  OH! And I love photo shoots.  That was fun too.


Jess: What do you think about having a foster brother?  How has Turbo affected family life?
Greta:  He did eat the beds...which was bad because then our beds weren't as comfortable, but it was kinda good too because I got to eat some of the bed.  It was hard at first.  I felt like I had to protect my house from him, but after we played fetch together, I realized it was a lot of fun to have a little brother.  He's super goofy and always trying to play tug.  Sometimes things feel a little more hectic, but he's just part of the family and we do a lot of stuff together.


Jess: Ok Greta.  Last question.  What about these photos? Some people say there is no resemblence because you are a dog...what do you say? 
Greta: These are my modeling pictures with my mom.  We watched Zoolander and I wanted to pose Blue Steel with her.  She always tells me I'm good looking...and I think we look alike, so everyone...here are the pics of me and my mom. I think we look alike because we love each other so much.  You be the judge.  

Our favorite, "Really Really Ridiculously good looking!"

Turbo vs. Jess: A case of empathy gone too far?

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

Mother Teresa

I'm notorious for taking things too far, for giving a little more than is necessary, maybe even too much at times.  I've been known to take things to the extreme--whether it be a cleanse, a new workout, a super short haircut, or spring-cleaning...I tend to go all in when I do something.  I've also mentioned in previous Turbo posts, that I cannot imagine how it would feel to have so much discomfort with so little relief.  That it kills me to see him so uncomfortable day after day without the ability to take any of it away...and this is the story of ME taking one more thing (my empathy) too far.

Yes folks, I'm going there.  I'm actually going to compare my case of shingles (which I suffered from for a little more than a week) to Turbo's total, systemic Demodex that he's had for over half his little life.  My case was so mild that my mom diagnosed me over text.. (I actually thought Turbo had given me ringworm or mange).  I did see a doc that confirmed that is was...in fact...shingles.  How did I get shingles?  Stress.  Am I doing too much? Nah.  Taking too much on? Probably not.  Over empathizing with my little foster dog? Um, maybe? Whatever MY cause, I was NOT neglected and it was NOT allowed to spread all over my body.  

Shingles--Text picture to mom

How does it compare?  Demodex vs. Shingles?  I can't really know, can I?  Is it even fair  or valid to compare?  I have no idea what it feels like to have a complete system infection, followed by secondary yeast infections all over my skin.  I have not lost all of my hair.  I'm not limited to super short bursts of time out in the sun because I burn so easily.  I am not constantly itching and bleeding from scratching, without any relief from my meds.  I'm not seriously, socially delayed because I spent the learning months of early childhood neglected and unfed.   But yes, I was uncomfortable.

So, to be fair and honest, it's not even a close comparison.  For one, my case was relatively mild and Turbo's is one of the worst cases I've ever seen.  And two, he has handled his situation very gracefully. And I?  Well, I handled it less than gracefully. 

Let's review:

Giant horse pills,  human mouth

I had shingles in and all around the outside of my right ear, along my back and neck (as pictured above), and along one dermatome on my stomach.  The only excruciating set were the ones in my ear.  I couldn't sleep on my right side, answer the phone, wash my hair, put a shirt over my head, or wear my super cute earrings without nauseating, burning, tingling, shooting pain.  And, they made me dizzy and fall down.  Which caused other areas of pain.  I didn't want to be touched or get out bed (which I did), I was grumpy about going to work (which I endured), I had no energy to play or be active (but I found a way to do so for short bursts of time), and I complained about the meds. I've been dosing myself with Benadryl to get rid of the itch from the pain medicine, taking the pain medicine for the nerve pain (which isn't really helping too much...but I'm in a pretty good mood for a few hours at time), taking anti-nausea meds for the anti-pain meds, and lastly, anti-virals for the virus...and I have to wonder...is it really helping?  If it is, I'd hate see how I awful I would’ve felt if I didn't do anything and just let the whole thing run its course.  The thing is though, I complained WITHOUT the meds too.  There was no making me happy...and well, overall...I have not been a good sport or example.  My optimism was half empty.

As for Turbo, well...he didn't complain when he was at his worst, he wagged his tail at the mention of his name.  He endured (and continues to endure) the daily scrub downs in the shower or tub without a struggle or fight...he even feels up to playing tuggy with the towel at the end of every bath, he still wants to chase a ball or Frisbee...and has enough energy to outrun (or out wrestle) his sisters for the ball, he has always had plenty of energy to eat and drink all 3 meals of the day every day, he lives to play wrestle and tug with his sisters (and he would play all day and night if he could),  he has enough strength to fight the leash (and the gentle leader) on his walk, he can't wait for his nightly routine of lap time and pets, and he has taken his daily meds with a wagging tail every single day for the past 56 days.  He is the best sport.  He has been a great example that where joy is full, pain is minimized. 

I laugh at the comparison...but I also, again, am thankful for little Turbo.  For all his little nuances and our daily struggles.  This little pitty's love is full...and so is mine.