Christmas Card!

Our Christmas card this year included our babies... Tini and Bentley.

In case there was any question what was going on in the pictures... Josh and I took turns taking pictures of each other as we loaded the tree onto the top of the car. Tini was "helping" me wrap Christmas presents (note wrapping paper in the background), and Bentley was trying to eat the rare snowflakes that fell in Baton Rouge.

The holidays were a bit different for us this year. I worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we were happy to at least have each other. I know that sounds sappy, but it works. We hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season.

Life Lately

I have been so busy with clinics that I have hardly had enough time to hang out with Josh, much less spend time writing on my blog. But for all 3 people who read this, here is the update on my life.

I spent 2 weeks working at number hospitals in Las Vegas (all owned by the same man), and absolutely loved my time there. Josh and I now face the hard decision of whether to stay in Louisiana, enjoy a Las Vegas adventure, or head back to Arkansas. Any suggestions?

Bentley has started puppy training class. Josh, Bentley and I go together each Thursday night for an hour. Most of what we are learning in the 6 week-long beginner class are things Bentley already knows: sit, lay down, stay etc. Our goal is a well trained canine, and we'll work hard to achieve that.

I take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam in December. If you hear me talkign about "boards" or the "NAVLE" (pronounced nav-lee), I'm referring to this test. It's comprised of 6 section with 60 questions each. I get one hour per section and will be exhausted at the end. So. Please keep this in your prayers!

My Uncle, who fought a long, hard, fight against Myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia for three years, passed away on October 28. I was able to make a trip to Arkansas for the funeral. It felt good to be with my family, but I hate to see my dad be so sad.

Josh and I are hosting Thanksgiving at our home this year. We're excited about having everyone over, and especially excited about the LSU- Arkansas game!! I just hope I can forget about boards long enough to enjoy tailgating!

I have sort of put a hault on decorating... those dang boards again... But after I fell in love with a table cloth at Anthropologie, I knew I just had to have it. The thing is... I just couldn't see myself paying $120.00 for it. Soooo... I asked my oh-so-talented mama to make me one!! I can't wait to debut it at Thanksgiving!

Josh and I after Mike's service.

The FANTASTIC tablecloth! Thanks Mom!

The inspiration...

Bentley's First Swim

We took Bentley to a nearby lake yesterday for his first swim lesson. There were some other older (& bigger) dogs eager to show him how. He absolutely loved it. Of course, I was very nervous about sending my baby out into the big lake alone, so he donned a life jacket for the first swim. He's just too cute!

Josh showing Bentley that the water is safe.

He's figuring it out!

He's so handsome!

My little swimmer!

haha... love that handle!

Bentley and his best friend, Choda

He thinks he can carry this stick....

All the dogs ready to fetch!

This is a more appropriate sized fetching stick!

Bentley thought he could take on Brie... she's double his size! He held his own pretty well, though :)

2nd Anniversary & Bentley's Tricks!

Josh and I celebrated year TWO! Two of very many many more to come. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, and bought ourselves a coffetable + 2 end tables for our home. Happy Anniversary Honey!

Bentley is such a good dog!

Flaminco is the way to go

If anyone remembers my 21st birthday, you might remember the bright blue flamico skirt that I wore. I just love love love ruffles and tiers etc. Well I have finally brought that spanish flare into my home. I love my new guest bathroom. Please come visit and enjoy it with us!!

Colorado is so clean, and it smells nice too!

I recently spent 2 weeks in Colorado staying with my bestie Anna and working as an extern at Banfield, The Pet Hospital. This is a series of hospitals located in PetSmart stores. I wanted to see what corporate medicine is all about, and mainly to decide if I should persue a career in corporate medicine. The answer to that question... probably not, but maybe. Ha! I enjoyed the high standards shared by all Banfield practices, but I don't like that the hospital will put so much focus on profit -so much that they'll send in corporate officials to coach you on how to better sell vetmed. I understand that vetmed is a business like all others, and in order to be successful the hospital must be profitable, but I believe I want to do what is best for the patient (the pet) and the client (the owner). I could go into detail and explain what I mean with all this, but I won't bore you with that. I really enjoyed the doctors that I worked for, and like I said before: the standard of care and the quality of care provided at Banfield is top notch, so I suppose that is the main reason I'm keeping Banfield in the forefront of my mind as I prepare to find a REAL job!

Anna was one of the best hostesses around. And I'm not just saying that b/c she's my best friend from kindergarten. She made me breakfast, she drove me to work, she would make my lunch sometimes, she ran with me, she let me use her car, I used all of her work out clothes... I could go on and on! She even took me up to Estes Park to see the sights. It was so cute. I got so many souveniers from there- Bentley even got his grown up wardrobe from Estes Bark. I just love The Good Dog Company. Anyway- Thanks so much Anna!!!!! Love you BGMoe!

Running along Equalizer Lake in Loveland, CO

Getting ready to make the Hike to Devil's Backbone

Devil's Backbone

Posing for a BFF photo-op!

"Do not leave trail"..... whoops!

Remember "Friendship Rings" from elementary school? This is our modern day version!

Uno!

She won both times!

Shopping around Estes Park

Enjoying dinner with friends.

real quick update....

- Bentley learned about belly rubs. likes them.

- He got his first toe nail trim. didn't really care.

- Tini is still unsure of Bentley, but they're working on it.

- I finished the Emergency rotation and started & finished the Exotics rotation.

- I got bit by a great horned owl. I'm not afraid of them anymore.

- I caught and held a hawk. I'm not afraid of them either.

- I performed surgery on two owls: one soft tissue, the other orthopedic.

- I treated a snake for anorexia. He didn't make it :(

- I treated an African Grey for seizures. She's doing well. :)

- I worked 12-16 hour days then was on call. boo...

- I fed a 42 year old elephant with degenerative joint disease.

- I saw a transgenetic cat. His genes express a fluorescent gene. Mr. Green Genes.

- I treated a goose (2 actually), both are doing well. I miss one of them a lot.

- I've decided I need a goose.

- I've decided I need a cockatoo.

- I've decided I'm not scared of graduation.

- Shelly moved back to the US. Will be teaching at Conway Christian.

- I went to Julie's baby shower. I poked at her belly...I felt Mollie Anne!

- I'm praying for Julie & her dad every day.

- I'm in Colorado. Enjoying an externship. Spaying and neutering left and right.

- I'm loving the time I get with my bff from Kindergarten, but missing Josh so bad.

- I'm freaking out because I start studying for boards in just 10 days.

- I'm freaking out because I take boards in November.

- I'm working to revamp some of the decorations in my apartment- anyone want my old gold/brown bedspread? see it here.

The left inguinal region on the owl. I removed a huge area of necrotic tissue. It was very infected; I don't expect it will hold well.

The orthopedic owl. She had a complete fracture of the left radius and two complete fractures of the ulna. An IM pin was placed in both bones as well as an external fixator placed on the ulna. Prognosis for flight is poor. :(

Feeding the elephant some grapes.

Mr. Green Genes. Read more about him here.

The leg of a goose that was tangled in fishing line. Luckily we cut off the fishing line and saved his leg.

This guy wasn't so lucky. The fishing line strangled his foot so badly that it fell off (he came in without a foot). They don't do well on one leg.

A bird with pox. Can you count how many pox lesions he has?

The new guest bedroom decor.

Some new pillows to brighten the living room.

Tini being cute.

Bentley being tired.

oooooh-weee! girl you're bump is big!!

The most perfect banner Julie received as a gift- it matches Mollie's bedding!

My favorite girls! If any of you are regular readers, you may recognize this fabric. It's what I brought back from Mood in NYC so Mom could play Project Runway for me. Make it work!

Anna Eberle and me going for a run in beautiful Colorado. I don't even break a sweat!