Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)

Our sweetheart Rotty blew her ACL and needs a ~$2600 knee surgery!! :( I feel SO bad for not being able to get it done right away... poor doggy. This TPLO procedure is supposed to be fantastic, but the longer she goes without it, the more likely she is to develop arthritis, or other hip/knee problems from compensating for the lame leg. The only mitigating factor is that she seems to be putting a lot of weight on it, so it must not hurt too too bad, maybe it's only partially ruptured. I've seen blogs that collect for a cause, maybe I can raise money for Sydney's TPLO?

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.

And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.


by Max Ehrmann

LSA ANACONDA aka "Mortaritaville"

My life has changed so little since 9/11, it can be easy to forget that we are a country at war. But I heard from a friend today who is serving in Balad, Iraq at a camp nicknamed for its frequent mortar and rocket attacks. Tim says "I know that the Hajji's are getting the hell beat out of them - every day and in every way. From some of the things I've seen it is absolutely amazing difference between what is known by our forces and what is being reported by the media. The surge around Baghdad is working and the bad guys leaving there are getting "the business" if they stay or as they try to leave. So they are screwed either way - killed or captured the issue is being resolved by our side. Anyway - don't lose hope that this place will turn around - I believe it'll get better - but we can't leave it to the insurgents because some in Congress have lost their will to support what we are doing."

I'll take a front-line assessment any day over media reports or political spin! I've been unable and unwilling to make an overall assessment of our "War on Terror" but have long clung to the belief that our men and boys are doing right by women and children everywhere. And with my friend Tim among our men and boys, I'm more convinced than ever that our TROOPS - if not our leaders - are doing the honorable thing over there.

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