For the Love of A Dog

Most people will think we are insane, and only a few, a very small minority will understand. 

Lance and I adopted a rescue dog named Mr. Yellow Pants in December 2011.  I had seen his story on the rescue site, and I was well aware that he was a "special needs" dog.  He had a torn ACL type tear on his leg.  He was getting around well enough, but every once in awhile, he would feel pain from the injury.  He was not easily adoptable.  In fact, he was at his foster mother's home for over two months and only one family (other than ours) expressed an interest.

I remember the first time we met Buddy.  He was very warm towards us and not at all territorial.  We adopted him immediately.  However, it was not love at first site. Buddy had to grow on us. In fact, my affections had to grow for every dog I have ever owned.  Buddy was not different.

We have been his parents for almost two years, and we love him so much.  Unfortunately, his leg has gotten progressively worse.  He is at the point where he cannot make it up the stairs without difficulty.  However, he can tolerate the pain more than he can tolerate being alone.  Buddy cries and cries and cries when he is left alone so Lance and I have to coax him up the stairs or we have to sit with him.  He will not shut up until he is no longer alone.  He does not cry from the pain.  He cries because he cannot stand to be without his mommy and daddy.

We took him to see an orthopedic surgeon last week and were told that Buddy requires surgery.  If we do not perform the surgery, his condition will worsen quickly.  He is already in pain, and we have to give him pain medication daily.

So here is the difficult decision.....the surgery is estimated to be around $3600 - $3800.  Buddy is only 5 years old. If we elect to NOT have the surgery, he would probably need to be put down because his condition is progressive.  Lance and I, without reservation or discussion, are going to pay for the surgery. We will have to make some immediate lifestyle modifications to accommodate this unexpected expense, but it is so worth it.  People, I think, have this misconception that Lance and I are rolling in dough, and I know us spending $4000 on a dog's leg is not going to dispel that myth.  The truth is we are comfortable, but we are far from being wealthy.  We have to budget and be frugal at times (i.e. brown bag lunches instead of going out).  Lance was ready to get a dinghy, but this ambition will be delayed momentarily.

I know most people will gasp at our decision, but then most do not know the bond that can develop between a dog and man.  Buddy has given us so much joy....so much unconditional love.  Yes, the booger has caused us some headache too.  He has chewed up two beds, about 10 pillows, shoes, footballs...you name it.  He has made Lance save his butt many times....but....regardless, he loves us no matter who we are...what we do...what kind of day we had....how we feel.....He is our baby, and if we can have another 7 years with him then what is $4000?

We love our Buddy.  Money can be replaced, but there is only one Budster.....

The surgery is scheduled for Thursday, October 10.  Please keep little Budster in your thoughts and prayers.

Buddy Yellow Pants Wade

Everyone Should Have An Art Leahy In Their Life

 

I don’t have many friends, because frankly, most people annoy me.  However, when I do make a friend, the friendships are long-lasting, strong, and very genuine. 

There are people who come into our lives and leave  without much thought and then, there are people who come into our lives and make an everlasting change in who we are, what we think, and the direction our life is headed.

I do believe in God, and I believe in prayer. I have been employed at OCTA for 23 years. Approximately, 10+ years ago, I was a miserable wretch, and I wanted to escape, but I felt trapped and powerless in my position. I remember desperately praying to God, and guess what? God does answer prayers. He gave me Art Leahy.  
Art is currently the CEO of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) which employs close to 10,000 people. He is an influential figure in the transportation industry. He is the epitome of the American success story. He started his career at Metro as a coach operator (another term for a bus driver) while pursuing his college degree. Shortly after graduation, he worked in Marketing and Government Relations until he gradually worked his way up the ladder to become an executive at Metro and then to eventually becoming the very top chief. He went from coach operator to running the entire organization.  This is the American dream.  I don’t think I know of any man who has attained more success than Art.  He has had and continues to have an amazing career. 

In Art's Office in L.A.

the messy office

Visiting Art in L.A.

 

He is everything I respect.  He is extremely successful, intelligent and hard-working.  He is courageous and not afraid to take a stand in what he believes in or what he feels is right.  He has a marshmallow heart (though most do not get to see this side). He cares very much about people.  He is incredibly funny...a bit of a pig.  He is amazing with children.  He is very genuine.  He is also the MOST HONEST man I have ever met in my life.  (He would use the company copier for something personal and would reimburse the company for the copying he did. )He is frugal and economically brilliant.  He doesn’t live the life of a CEO.  He lives with simplicity. He is very driven, but simultaneously, he knows that family/kids are more important.

Art's sense of humor is shown on Halloween.

I was fortunate to be his assistant for several years. Art took a chance on me. I had no experience. I applied for many internal jobs at OCTA, and I was continually rejected. Art recognized my potential, ignored the warning given by HR…”hiring authority was advised that the candidate did not meet minimum qualifications” (yes, that was actually in my personnel file) and hired me; that one act by that man changed my life.

I not only lacked experience; I also lacked confidence. Working with Art and learning from him, I began to develop a self-awareness and confidence in my abilities, my reasoning, and my sound judgment. He mentored me. He taught me so much about the business and the political environment. He supported me, challenged me, and encouraged me. Thanks to Art Leahy, I grew immeasurably in both my personal and professional life. However, most importantly, during this period, I gained a very loyal, deep, and unique friendship.
 
When Art left OCTA to become the CEO of LA Metro, I was emotionally distraught. I cried for months. (I am NOT exaggerating.) When I first learned the news, you would have thought that someone had died… that was how disturbing it was for me. In fact, even months after he left, I could not talk about him without getting teary-eyed. It was not a secret how much I adored this man. At his farewell parties, I cried in front of hundreds. In the elevator at work (after he was gone), people would ask me how I was doing without Art, and honestly, I would start to cry.  I was and am very loyal to him.  When you are the top dog of a large organization, there sometimes could be animosity on the lower level.  People just don’t understand the demands and challenges that go with leadership.  There was a time that the employees were laughing and snickering at Art over a decision he made.  It was very difficult for me, and I took their negative comments personally.  Why? Because I cared deeply for the man.  After listening to it for days, I sat at my desk in tears. Art walked by noticing I was visibly upset.  He asked me what was wrong, and in a broken voice I said, “People are laughing at you.”  I think he was flattered that I cared that much, and without any pretense whatsoever, I did and I do.


at his farewell party....you can see the tears in my eyes.

   Art and I continue to stay in touch after he left OCTA.  At times, I would call him to complain about something work-related, and he always offered me the most wisest advice. I would get upset about work and I was desperate.  He once told me that, “As long as I am employed, you will never be without a job.” He doesn’t realize it, but it was one of the sweetest, sweetest things I have ever heard.  I felt safe.   I knew if I ever needed him, he would be there for me. I may not have the power or the influence as he does, but I would, without reservation, do anything for that man as well.

Art Leahy is one of the most successful, wisest, kindest, hardest working, and brilliant men I have ever known. I am so blessed to have him as a friend.

I love you, Art. I’ve told you that many times.
 
However, have I ever told you that you have made a dramatic difference in my life, and more importantly, in who I am? I am a better person and my life is better because I met you so thank you….thank you….thank you….

I wish everyone could have someone like Art Leahy in their life.

Making A Small Difference

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated…I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by [people] from the cruelty of [human kind]”—Mahatma Gandhi

  

I love my husband for so many reasons.  He is good to me.  He makes me feel safe.  He is a wonderful stepfather etc.  When I married him, I was well aware of all these admirable qualities, but what came as a pleasant surprise to me much later was his unrelenting compassion and love for animals.  You would not expect this trait to be so pronounced but it is…..He is not like a typical person who just cares about animals; there is an even more caring soft spot.
 
I’ve always been an animal lover.  I love all animals (minus rodents), and it hurts me deeply when I hear of the cruelty that exists in today’s world.  If I was wealthy, I would purchase a huge ranch and turn it into a sanctuary for abandoned and abused animals.  When I retire, I intend on becoming a foster mom for rescue dogs.  Dogs have given me such happiness.  I had my first dog at the age of 8, but we were stationed in Korea, and my mom gave him away when we returned to the states.  I did not have any dogs until I became an adult.  There is an undeniable, unbreakable bond between a dog and its owner/parent.  If you really are able to have this gift, you are truly blessed.
 
It was my decision to get Bella and Buddy.  I don’t think Lance realized how attached he would be to these dogs.  They were intended to be my dogs, but both formed a profound attachment to Lance.  In return, he became attached to them.  I know people look at the relationship Lance has with these dogs, and they may find it ridiculously amusing, but to me, it is one more reason why I fall more in love with him.
 

Bella Baby Wade

Bella Baby Wade

Buddy Yellow Pants Wade

Our Babies

When you are in our house, the dogs are FAMILY.  They are treated like our children.  This is their house.  They occupy the entire couch. 

Bella once consumed a couple of pounds of fundraiser chocolates, and Lance took her to the emergency room where the estimated treatment equaled $1700.  Without reservation, Lance paid it.  I know many men would not even consider the option.  Moreover, Lance has risked his own safety on multiple occasions to jump into the riverbed with the strong current to rescue Buddy.  He also jumped into a filthy pond in his work clothes to once again rescue Buddy.
 
Lance and I decided to donate to charity to the benefit of animal rescue.  We are donating $10 a month to Hope for Paws, which is a local based rescue group.  Their rescue videos have spread through the Internet.  This organization films rescues from the moment they get the animal whether it be behind a trash dump or in an alley to their transformation weeks later.

Additionally, Lance found a beautiful story about a bear, tiger, and lion who live together like brothers.  Because of recent new regulations, the sanctuary risks separating these animals.  They were separated in the past and became severely depressed.  Lance and I are now sponsors of Baloo, the bear and Zuri, the tiger.
 
Baloo:  As a cub, Baloo (along with a tiger and lion cub) was discovered in a drug dealer’s basement in Atlanta, Georgia. After being confiscated and placed at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, Baloo and his tiger and lion friends were nursed back to health and were kept in the same enclosure as they had become extremely bonded after their frightening ordeal in the basement. To this day at 11 years old, Baloo the bear, Leo the Lion, and Shere Kahn the tiger still live together in harmony. Baloo is a big bear, weighing in around 600 pounds.

Baloo

Baloo with his brothers.  Baloo is the big brother.

Zuri:  Zuri is a white Bengal tiger who faces many of the health concerns most inbred animals do. White tigers are not pure bred, they are inbred, and for every 1 perfect looking, beautiful white tiger you see, at least 100 were euthanized because they were born with some type of deformity. Although Zuri was born normal looking on the outside, she has an incredibly weak immune system and was near death when she came to live at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary. At her original home, she was hidden from the eyes of the visiting public as she was missing almost all of the hair on her body. Her owners had called their vet in multiple times, but had decided Zuri was a hopeless case and was ready to euthanize her. With plenty of TLC (and expensive medication, numerous diet changes and around the clock care), Zuri is now healthy and a spunky, playful side has come out of her!

Zuri

We may not be doing much, but we are doing something and it is better to do something than nothing.

Old Guys Weekend Getaway

A few times a year, Lance travels to Texas to go on hunting trips.  Prior to our marriage, Lance use to attend twice a year, but, since we have been married, twice a year is not realistic anymore.  We have our own family vacation; we have our kids visiting; we have the boat so he just does not have a limitless amount of vacation time to always take the two trips. However, it is very important so I do everything I can to make certain he gets out in September do the annual September hunt. He loves reconnecting with friends and his vacation wife.  They talk, laugh, drink beer, and somehow fit hunting in the itinerary (birds). 

 

I am not a vegetarian and I eat pork so it is hypocritical that I feel this way, but I do.  This picture makes me sad.

Lance is having an affair.  This is discriminating evidence.  Poor Bella (our baby girl at home) would be so upset if she saw this.

The guys

Dressing up the little pig

Preparing the grill

What a cutie!!



Readers of the Blog--may I introduce Lance's boyfriend (aka vacation wife): Keith Kosan.

Lance calling me

I don’t pretend to know what he does or what they talk about….this is Lance’s personal time to do whatever he pleases. I just want him to have fun. He works so hard, and he deserves guy time.

Strangely though, I was sent photos of the hunting trip, but honestly, I didn't see any dead birds in any photos.  Yeah, I saw the guns, but where are the birds? Either they didn't do any hunting or they suck ass?

I think Lance intentionally tries to push me away before he goes on a trip.  It is his way of making the separation easier.  Let’s just say that when I dropped him off at the airport, I was actually happy he was leaving.  We didn’t hug each other bye or give each other a farewell kiss.  As soon as his ass got out of the car, I just drove off.  However, after I got over my initial irritation, I began to miss my husband dearly.

 

Talking on the phone with me

 

Marriages change over time.  What I can say about ours is that…..the love is much deeper. The friendship is greater.  The affection is more.  The connection is stronger but the passion is a little less.  However, did I miss him during this five-day separation? Yes, I did. I could not wait to be back in his arms.

 

Lance will get to see all his Texas friends again in three weeks when we attend his high school reunion.  I’m looking forward to getting to know them better.

From Beauty Queen to Athlete

I am surprised.  I am truly surprised.  Mia is a girly girl.  She likes frill.  She likes sparkle. She likes pink.  She likes dresses, clothes, and shoes.  She likes bows and lace.  She wants her toenails painted and her hair done.  She periodically does pageants, which is very suited for her. However, I wanted her to expand her interests.  She needs to be balanced.  Mia is in enrolled in gymnastics, but in addition to the gymnastics, Mia started her first season in softball this fall.  She has such natural athletic ability.  She has strength, speed, and coordination.  I would have never suspected this to be the case, but little Princess Mia is an athlete.

 

In her uniform with her pink cleats



Getting ready to bat with her cute pink helmet

MIa has been waiting for this moment; she has gone to all of her brothers games and always wanted to be the one to get an after game snack.  She was actually very considerate and got her brother, Brandon, one too!

Her team is the Fountain Valley PowerPuff Girls.  They had their first game this past Saturday. She didn’t complain about getting dirty or sweaty in the miserable heat.  Yes, it was already scorching hot for her 9 a.m. game.  I don’t know who won or lost the game; I doubt anyone keeps score.  The girls are just learning the game.  Most of the girls cannot catch.  Throwing is another obstacle they have yet to overcome.They go through the batting line up once before they are out in the field again.  I don’t think there was one single out in the entire game. No one could catch the ball.  To be honest, the games are boring.  Not alot of action....but hey, I'm there to support my baby girl.

The girls get five pitches thrown by the coach.  If they cannot hit one of the pitches then they get to use the tee for two swings.  Almost half of the girls were able to hit off of the coach's pitches.  Mia had to get a tee.   I played softball when I was younger.  It was MY sport.  I was second baseman, and I loved the game. In fact, softball is my favorite sport to play.  Basketball is my favorite sport to watch!

 

Team Banner
 

Mia looked simply adorable out there.  Her hair was tied in a ponytail to the side.  Mia hasn’t complained about going to practice or the games.  She is enjoying the sports as much as the pageants.  A lot of practice is needed so she can learn how to catch and bat better, but there is one thing, Mia does not need to work on….her speed.  This girl needs to do track.  She is, by far, the fastest runner on the team.  They have brief running sprints, and Mia is always leading the pack by a great distance.  I sit and watch her from the stands, and proudly say, “yep, that’s my baby girl!” 

On first base running to second.  She is the FASTEST girl on the team!

Preparing to bat (notice the cute pink bat?)



What form!!

 

Cow Run - First Cross Country Meet

I am so proud of Dylan.  I start to tear because that is how proud I am of him.  He has accomplished so much this year, and one of those accomplishments include making and being on the Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) Cross Country Team.  Running is NOT an easy sport.  It requires a great amount of discipline, and frankly, it is very difficult to start.  Most people who start running hate it;  It is only after you have been running for some time that the love/passion grows.  Running is not a love at first sight sport.  Most people do not always love the actual run; its the high afterwards that is the most addictive.  You've heard of runner's high?



In his team uniform

I am a runner, and I really pushed Dylan to take up this sport. I recognized his potential, and I knew he could excel in it.  He joined the cross country camp at FVHS during the summer.  This was a physically rigorous camp.  It was Monday - Friday from 730 a.m. - 1030 a.m., which basically meant no sleeping in.  I knew most kids would drop after a week.  Dylan continued and with great discipline, he finished the camp.


The first cross country (Cow Run) meet was held on Saturday, September 6 in Cerritos. I dropped Dylan off at the high school shortly before 6 a.m. so he could catch the bus to Cerritos.  I followed two hours later and barely made it (running late)  to see an amazing race.  There were over 200+ cross country runners from all the local high schools. 



Cow Run Cross Country Meet

I'm learning about the sport and the competition, and from what I understand, they count the top 5 or 7 runners' (depending on the race) times from each school's team.  Each school has three teams: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Freshman.  All I wanted was for Dylan's time to count, and guess what? It did.  He was the 5th runner (out of 12) for the Freshman Fountain Valley Cross Country Team.  The unofficial time was 21:22 which is much faster than I could ever run.  I suggested it should be his goal by the end of the season to run under 20 mins.  I believe he can do it.

Dylan's days are long.  He is in school from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily because he runs everyday after school (rain or shine or heat or cold).  Additionally, meets are every Saturday so Dylan is up at 5 a.m. on Saturday mornings.  I was concerned that he would quit, but he is really loving it.  His teammates are wonderful, and he is really having fun.  He is only going to improve.




At the start line- Dylan is embarrassed by my picture taking



And the runners are off......



Quick shot of Dylan

Dylan is in the right of the photo in blue and orange



Finishing Strong.  He looks so lean.





Finished and in the running chute


It is truly a blessing when your child does well in something, but what is the cherry on top is when your child is doing well in something you, personally, have a passion for....now, we can share this love of running.  I love going to the cross country meets.  I want to be actively involved in the team. I am signing him up for more half marathons.  I am having the time of my life!