Needs...

 

We have certain needs: air, water, food, clothing, shelter.  When those basic needs are met, you can move onto other important-to-haves: security and stability.  Then, love and belonging.

If you are thinking: "Isn't this 'Maslow's heirarchy of needs pyramid'?" you are correct and get 50 bonus points.  Before we get to self-confidence and respect, I'm going to suggest other nice-to-haves: comfort and convenience - that could be air conditioning, heat, indoor plumbing, reliable transportation, fulfilling work, an education... a lot will depend on the individual and the society.

Once early cavemen found the shelter of those caves and learned how to make fire and hunt/gather, they moved to decorating those caves... cave drawings.

We have been in the house about 3 weeks.  There has been something to deal with every day of that.  Today is the first day without having to make ourselves and the house available for someone to do something.  It was the first opportunity we've had to add some decor (our equivalence of cave drawings).

Joan had ordered a 4 piece canvas grouping to go in that expanse of extra-white above the couch.  Back in our studio days, we would go into a client's home to hang a wall grouping for them.  We could go in there with a level, a tape measure, a nail gun, some cabinet bumpers, and a plan, and create portrait decor for them in short order.  I guess we are a bit rusty with that - it took us a while today, especially that canvas abstract grouping...

These canvas wrapped prints were not as "heavy duty" as the framed canvas prints we used to work with.  But, it came together...

A minimum of swearing and no injuries - so quite successful.  From there, we moved to the hallway to hang another canvas stretcher image on the wall...

As long as we're into this mode, we hung the diagonal guitar holder in the living room...

We have another of those for my music room.  Here's the completed living room (just waiting for a back-ordered end table; that's Steph and Dan's "on loan" between the chair and couch)...

Rufus is doing fine.  He watched with interest while we got that stuff hung, being careful to stay out of the way of anything that might get dropped in the process.  He's had breakfast, lunch, and is into an afternoon nap as I write this.  He's a good boy.  

After we had lunch, we moved into the music room.  That is a work that will be in process for a while - I have to have my head in it to get things set up.  Since we were in the hanging mode, we got the 335 (Gibson guitar I've had since I was 13 years old) hung on another of those diagonal mounts...

She is ordering frames for other band photos.  And some way of displaying the book I wrote.  My first Captain's License.  It wasn't meant to be a memorabilia shrine.  When we were done hanging the 335, I plugged in the new adjustable height desk and the keyboard that has been sitting in storage for about 10 years... it started up and sounded decent... well, the tones coming out of it were good, my keyboard playing: not so much.  More than a bit rusty.

Moments...

 

Some folks have asked about Rufus, so here's the latest...

We are savoring every moment we get with him.  Not so different from anytime in the last 5+ years; the boy gets and gives plenty of attention.  We know the procedure to tap his lungs isn't a cure - it makes him more comfortable and that is worth it.  The plan is to make his life as normal as possible in the time he has left.  I took him for a walk this morning; gave him a treat afterwards.  He is eating, but not as much as usual.  He is sleeping more.  Moving slower, but that may be the after effects from what he had done on Wednesday.  We are giving him whatever time he needs - if he goes to the door, I take him for a walk.

He still hops up in my lap and gives me a strong head butt.  He lays down by Joan, looking to get his belly rubbed.  The belly is pink and smooth instead of white and luxuriously furry.

I can't believe it is only two days since they poked his lungs and belly.

He has lost weight (may be a function of all the fluid they drained).  He has not lost his loving nature.

And above all, he is a good boy.

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I took Rufus for a couple walks today.  He still wants to go out, walk, sniff, and look around.  There is always a treat when we come back in; he has been eating good today.

FedEx delivered some wall decor we ordered.  Rufus enjoyed laying on some of the paper that was around one of the pieces...

Today, we dealt with the landscaper (yes, again) - he had to re-do the gate that his crew mounted crooked.  He finished the griddle area countertop on Steph and Dan's side, and he put pavers and smoothed out the gravel around the shed.  Until the pergola comes in, we won't see him again

Just when you think you are close to being done, the rep from the builder brought a guy to re-do the stucco around our exterior door.  Of course, he didn't come back to give it a second coat today.  Maybe tomorrow, or maybe Monday.  The builder rep re-did the interior trim around that same door.  This new door is nice - same model as the original, but this one is installed correctly, the seal is great, and all the mechanisms work as they should.

When the stucco guy didn't come back, I locked the gates on both sides.  Rufus got his supper.  I went to Steph and Dan's side to feed their cats and give Alfie his meds.  Joan spent some time petting on them.

I needed a stress reliever and decided to try out the new hot tub.  First time.  This is different from the hot tub we had in South Dakota, and certainly a change from the jetted tub we had in the house in Texas.  Here's a daytime photo of it...

It was nice to sit in it, enjoy the jets, and look up at the sky.  The moon is a waxing crescent, peeking out through the clouds in the southwest sky.  It was a good first experience with the spa.

The priorities change...

 

For several weeks, most of these blog posts have been about the move.  That changed with Rufus's situation.  By last night, he was close to being his old self.  He spent time cuddling with each of us.  He hopped up into my lap and gave me a good solid head butt... the boy still packs a punch.

His appetite is fine.  His breathing is not labored.  When we first got him home yesterday, he staggered when he walked and you could tell he was in a fog.  As the afternoon and evening went on, he improved.

I can't turn my brain off.  I look at him and see my Good Boy.  But I know what is coming and it is heart-wrenching.  These shaved patches are a tough reminder...

There is another one like this on the other side (where they tapped his lungs), and his whole belly (that has been gloriously furry) has been shaved.

Stephanie was a rock for us yesterday - staying at the house until we got home with Rufus.  She was there because the builder rep and door factory people were supposed to come replace the door this morning - they didn't show.  The landscaper was supposed to come and hang the gates in the morning - after some terse text exchanges, he sent a crew of 4 who showed up around 4:30 and got the gates hung... after I stopped them from hanging them backwards.

There is sadness on Steph and Dan's side of the house, as well.  Blaine, their Guide Dog For the Blind (in training) is going back to California on Friday.  Rather than ship him, they are driving him there themselves to be able to spend their last time with him.  Blaine has changed their lives.  I will be feeding and caring for their cats while they are gone.

The moving in process continues for all of us.

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I was hoping for a quiet morning around the house.  Rufus didn't want to eat this morning, but that may be because he ate so good yesterday.  Also likely that the day after getting shaved and poked, he may be feeling it.  My boy looks worn out.

The quiet came to end around 7:30.  The doorbell rang - a guy is here to paint the concrete pillars around the gate (something we asked to be scheduled a week ago).  Now, he has to tape off the gate so it doesn't get overspray on it - if the work order had been put in when we requested it, his job would have been much easier.

Mo showed up about 7:35.  The people are here to replace the door.  It will require stucco to be cut off the trim around the outside of the door, and some of the floor tile inside the living room may have to be busted out.

The guy delivering the hot tub called and said he would be here between 9:00 and 11:00.

All the days of no one showing up when they were supposed to, and now they all want to be here this morning... when I'm trying to get my furry boy to eat.

I will be making a call today to get info about a service that comes to your home to guide your pet through their last moments.  I dread that.  We've been through it before, but it was in a vet's office.  The people in each instance were very kind.  Steph and Dan used this service with Torrie (their first cat) a few years ago, and recommended it to us.

My boy is on his tower, watching workmen take out the door.  He seems calm, in spite of the noise and commotion.  He's a good boy.

 You can see by the look on his face that he has lost his spark.  We have not been able to get him to eat, yet today.

The door people are actually here.  We have the living room prepped for them...

Out with the old door and in with the new...

In the middle of dealing with the door, the guys delivering and setting up the hot tub showed up...

You can see in that photo above, the guy on the right is getting the electrical set up for the hot tub, and the guy on the left (in the yellow-green shirt) has started on the exterior trim on the door.

When the hot tub guys were done with the set up, while the tub was filling, my new friend Nate went over how to operate and maintain it.  Seems like less fussing than with the hot tub we had previously.  Hopefully, it will play out that way.  The water came out of the outside spigot around 80º - Nate said it should gain 1 to 4º per hour, so it may be ready to use this evening.  We'll see.

The people from the builder that are supposed to finish the interior and exterior around the door (different crews) may or may not show up this afternoon.  Hard to pin down any of these people.

The landscaper said he would be here this afternoon to finish the grill counter on Steph and Dan's side.  We'll see.  If he does get it done, the only thing we'd be waiting on will be the pergola.

Getting into the afternoon and Rufus still hasn't eaten anything.  I spoke with the lady from the home euthanasia service about Rufus - she was compassionate and said they will work with us on the timing, could be the same day if we want.  I hope we are not to that point, but if Rufus doesn't eat, I will consider that his way of telling me it is time.

On the bright side, he sat by the door - that's his cue that he wants to go for a walk.  I put his harness and leash on him, and we walked a little bit in front of the house.

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We tried a bunch of different food for Rufus today, but he wasn't interested.  Finally, around 5:00, he ate some soft food.  It's a start.

The vet we saw on Tuesday called today to see how Rufus was doing.  She told us his blood tests all look normal.  There was some discussion about how much time he has left, and she said, "If the fluid on the lungs comes back right away, I'd suggest you not put him through having them tapped again.  It will be time."

So, we are day by day right now, finding a balance.  He's still our good boy.

Sleepless...

 

Sleep didn't come easy last night.  I woke up just before 4:00 and Rufus wasn't down at the foot of the bed.  Out in the living room, he was on the couch.  You can see it in his handsome face: our sweet boy is tuckered out; his breathing is labored.  We sat together in his new "big chair."

I feel bad that we can't do our usual morning routine with his feeding... the big boy loves the routine... me, too.

We'll be back to the vet this morning.  I dread what's coming... we just want to hold him and tell him everything is going to be OK.  We have to put our trust in this new vet in our new hometown that they can make him comfortable.

There is more stuff to be dealt with on the house this morning - someone from the door company is supposed to be coming, along with our builder rep.  The landscaper told me he'd get the gate hung.  Steph is going to work from home this morning so she can be here to deal with this, so Joan and I can be with Rufus at the vet's office.

You can see by the look on his face that he doesn't understand why there is no food for him this morning.  He went to the door and waited for me to put his harness and leash on - he knows there is always a treat at the end of a walk.  Our walk was short this morning, and it hurt my heart that there was no treat for him when we came back inside.  The vet told us "No food after 10:00 last night."  Ruf and I communicate pretty well, but he doesn't get this.

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We took Rufus to the vet just before our 8:30 appointment.  They gave us something to give him an hour before that to keep him calm.  Rufus is a pretty chill boy.  The vet came out, explained again what would be going on, then took him away.  Rather than wait in their lobby, we chose to come back home, about 10 minutes away.

They are going to shave a patch of fur on each side so they can tap the lungs to draw as much fluid as possible.  They'll be analyzing that fluid to give them some idea of what is causing that.  Then they'll do an ultrasound on his abdomen, and, if possible (access), do a needle biopsy on the mass in his belly.

 

I thought I was cried out last night, but I found tears streaming down my face when they took him away.  And now, we wait.

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We got a call a little after 10:00.  The vet gave us the news: she drained fluid off his lungs and the ultrasound showed that the mass is inoperable.  We are at the end of life for our big furry boy.  We brought him home... he is a little groggy, but he was ready to eat.  It may be days, maybe weeks.  Once the fluid comes back on his lungs, or he is unable to eat/drink/poop/pee, it will be time.  He will let us know.  We will not let our boy suffer.  Our hearts are broken, but we will do all we can to make whatever time he has left a good environment for him.  We always shower him with love; tell him how handsome he is; and, of course, tell him what a good boy he is.  I'm guessing we'll be watching over him a bit more than usual.

For now, we'll let him sleep.  It's been a tough day for everyone.

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My heart is breaking...

 

We took our big furry boy to the vet this afternoon.  In the last 24 hours, he has been having repeated coughing fits.  We thought it might be asthma, made worse by the desert climate.  The news we got was worse than that.

After doing chest X-rays, the vet showed us that Rufus has a large mass in his abdomen.  It is creating fluid around his lungs.  I have seen this sort of thing on an X-ray before... when we lost Molly.  The vet is pretty sure it is cancer.  Rufus's lung capacity is greatly diminished, and the mass is putting pressure on his colon and small intestine.

We are taking him to another vet in that practice who will do an ultrasound on his abdomen in the morning.  The vet who saw Rufus today didn't have to tell us what to expect - the look on her face was apparent.  Besides the ultrasound, they will be draining fluid off his lungs to make him more comfortable, and, if possible, do a biopsy on the mass.  What I expect from all this: information.  We will see what we are up against.

Rufus IS a good boy.  He put up with all the poking, prodding, and blood-taking... and just wanted snuggles when they brought him back into the exam room.  His breathing is labored.  I told him how much we love him, and he gave us a slow blink (cat talk for: I love you).

I am hopeful, but realistic.  I do not want my boy to suffer.  I will be grateful if the vet can do something for him.  I can't believe how sudden this all is.  Our daily routine is built around Rufus... in the past, I have said to Joan, "This boy needs to outlive me..."  The thought of losing him is unbearable.

When we got back home, Rufus wanted to go for a walk.  Stephanie walked with us, slowly.  Our sweet girl has been a rock for us through a lot.  She has furry ones of her own, and is the most compassionate person I know.  She understands.

 Steph said, "He is showing his 'happy tail'."  The light for that photo above came from this...

Later this evening, it is clear that Rufus is just worn out, but he still spreads the love around...

Third verse, same as the first...

 

If you said "Henry the 8th by Herman's Hermits," you are so close: that's "second verse, same as the first."  If you said, "Another trip to the DMV (MVD??)?," you get 10 bonus points.  Yes, this morning we made trip #3 to the DMV - this time, we had to bring the motorhome in for them to look at to determine it really is a "Winnebago on a Ford chassis."  The Texas title called it a Ford with the 3 digit code for Winnebago - that, apparently, wasn't good enough for Arizona.  I think they call this "MVD" instead of DMV (like the rest of the world) because nobody wants to Deal with VD.

Fortunately, we had an appointment this time, so we only had to wait a few minutes (same long lines).  The young man at the MVD office who we dealt with said, "This is very confusing..."  Really, it isn't.  I may have mentioned this before, but it is a "Winnebago motorhome on a Ford chassis."  Casey (the MVD guy) asked if we knew where the data plate from Winnebago is on the coach.  "Yes, it is right on the driver's side door."

"Sometimes they put them in unusual places..."

"Not on a motorhome - they are always on a plate as close as practical to the driver's seat.  On a 5th wheel or travel trailer, they are usually inside a kitchen cabinet door."  This is not my first rodeo.

We pulled the motorhome around to their inspection area, I showed him the data plate, and he wrote down the numbers.  "Yes, this is a Winnebago motorhome on a Ford chassis."  I knew I heard that somewhere before.  He did not look at anything else on the motorhome.  I had a photo of this data plate on my phone for our last visit - couldn't get the girl to look at it.  So, pretty much a waste of time trip so someone at the MVD didn't "get in trouble for writing it up wrong."  Even though we had this same information on the last trip.

I did get to photograph the coach at the MVD, and getting it back into our space at the storage area...

On the bright side, we could do a 2-year registration, so we don't have to deal with this again anytime soon.

Next on the schedule...

 

Tuff Shed.  I got a call at 6:45 this morning: the guy who will be assembling our Tuff Shed was calling to say he is on the way here, and should be here in 25 minutes.  Or, that's what I think he said - I'm pretty sure English isn't his first language.  We'll see when he gets here.

They were right on time.  My new friends Enrique and Raul went right to work...

Well, "right on time" may not be accurate.  I was told by Tuff Shed to expect them "between 8:00 and 11:00"... so in that respect, they were early.  I would imagine they called me after picking up the materials at the Tuff Shed factory.

Probably a sign of my advance years, but these guys look like teenagers.  There was no hemming and hawing: they went right after it.  They obviously have a routine: one guy starts setting up the framing while the other guy carts stuff in...

I upgraded to the metal framing, thinking it would be best to sit in the landscaping.  One of the guys said, "Your landscaping is bery good."  When I say they were early, the sun was just coming up over South Mountain as they brought everything in...

I had some concerns when I first saw the side walls on the trailer - they were gray colored.  Enrique told me, "That is just the base," and he got out buckets of paint to show me that the color would be what we ordered (to match the house).

They were impressed how the walkway matched up to the positioning, then told me, "There is an issue with the doors."  As soon as he showed me the design on the doors I could see what he was talking about: the Tuff Shed salesman told me the threshold would be 5 1/2 inches.  He didn't tell me that we'd need 2 1/2 inches below that for the door to swing.  I had the landscapers build up the pavers to exactly 5 1/2"... we will need to raise the metal frame enough for the doors to clear when opening/closing.  Enrique assured me that would be no problem for them... but, it meant my plan to be able to roll a motorcycle in with no "bump" going through the door will have to be re-evaluated.  Not a deal breaker.  They will elevate the frame the necessary amount with blocks (or they can use the extra pavers we have).

The work goes on.

They had the frame raised and leveled in minutes...

While Enrique went to work on laying the flooring, Raul started the painting...

They work very efficiently.  It is far easier and less messy to paint the walls while they are horizontal rather then once they are up.  It is starting to take shape...

Walls up...

Getting close...

The finished shed...

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The guys finished in about 5 1/2 hours.  I asked them if they had another job this afternoon (no) and offered them the opportunity to earn a bit more today: the gates need to be stained.  They agreed to that.  Joan said she'd stain them, but offering this to them was her idea, and I think it is well worth it.  It is a lot of detail work, staining the wood between the black metal in the gates.  And it is a warm one again today.  There will be a bonus for this extra work.