"You're No Good with One Hand"

Thursday morning, when I fed Walter and Harvey, I dropped some kibble on the floor. When Walter was done eating his food (which takes about 10 seconds since he inhales it), he ran around the counter to get the stray kibble. I wasn't paying close attention, and in that minute, Harvey got very pissed off that Walter would intrude on his food space. He grabbed Walter around the neck, growling and biting with menace. Although George has repeatedly told me not to get between them when they fight, I grabbed Harvey's color with my right hand and his jaw with my left so that Walter could escape. Since Walter weighs about 21 pounds and Harvey almost 90, to me, this was a matter of life or death, and I was much more concerned about Walter than my hand. Walter ran off and hid in the closet while Harvey went back to eating his food and I was left to deal with my injury.

My first clue that I was in trouble was the lack of pain. I figured it hurt so much, I wasn't processing it. Then there was the blood. And the swelling. And the discoloration. I knew I had to go to student health--groan. But later that night, I had to teach, so I couldn't leave New River until I became somewhat presentable. At student health, I was seen quickly. First, they soaked my hand in Betadine and warm water for what seemed like an eternity (and made me late for a meeting with Peter). The doctor said that he didn't want to give me stitches so the wound could breathe, but he wasn't too optimistic: "You don't have an infection, yet." He put me on antibiotics, had the nurse put a splint on my middle left finger (the site of the worst puncture), and asked me when I'd last had a tetanus shot. I was desperate to think of a time recently when I'd had one, and I could feel myself becoming faint. Alas, I couldn't come up with anything except in 1994 when Anna and Steve took me to the University of Chicago Hospital ER after Socrates, the iguana, bit me. I told the nurse that I was feeling faint, and I lay on the table. At that point, with some irony, she said, "I like your tattoo." I responded it was a little silly for someone who had tattoos to be scared of shots, but there it is. Luckily, the shot was in the arm, not hip, and it was very quick.

In the office for only an hour, I had to abandon the splint--otherwise, I couldn't work on the keyboard, and that is absolutely essential. Now, two days later, I am beginning to feel less pain, and I think I may be able to hold jewelry pliers tomorrow. (For now, gripping hurts too much.) I am taking pain killers and the antibiotics and wondering when my hand will be back to it's normal transparent chalky white instead of dirty green-blue.

I tried to construct a viable tale for George so he wouldn't kill Harvey, but I'm not a good liar. As expected, George is furious with Harvey and furious with me for getting in the middle.

International Women's Day

March 8 is International Women's Day, a day to mark women's struggles for human rights and celebrate successes. Hillary is running for president, we're seeing more female CEOs, and women arguably are more independent and successful than ever. However, women still face challenges: they lag behind men in pay and managerial positions, especially in those that lead to high profile promotions or lucrative career paths. Women (though not in my household) still do most of the domestic labor and child rearing--even when working. And that is in the Western world! In other countries and continents, women are forbidden to drive or are forced to undergo female circumcision. Please visit the Global Fund for Women to learn more.

Weather

I Love My...

J41 Vegan Sideline Shoes! These shoes are so cute and comfortable. I fell in love with them when GM and I visited MooShoes in NYC. They come in red, green, dark blue, and "corduroy" (beige). I love wearing them out and about. They are perfect at the dog park, where the terrain is a bit hilly and the ground cover is gravel. Even though lots of shoes qualify as vegan, I especially like shoes that proclaim their veganness! : )

Dissertation : P

I am trying very hard to get my dissertation wrapped up, so please send positive thoughts my way!

A Winner!

Walter and I went to Anthem Pet's Jackass Acres K-9 Korral grand opening today. (Harvey had to stay home because he'd be too much for me to handle with all the kids and food and excitment. Just Walter was challenging enough!) The park is nice--too bad we are so busy we can't go often.

A priest blessed the park with holy water, and we all got to sprinkle some of the water on the ground. Karen, Neiko, and Nina dressed alike in dog park tshirts and were so cute! Walter wore his bowling shirt and got third place in the costume contest. (Don't tell him that only three dogs entered!)