The Unwelcome Visitor

Yesterday while I was washing dishes. I looked out the window. I have a pretty clear view of the cats inside the enclosure. I noticed Ashley was sitting on one of the platforms. She didn’t look right to me. Her head was cocked down, and she was intently staring at something. Most of my cats will alert to even the tiniest ants, and they will go for the kill almost every time. Same goes for spiders and flies or anything that enters their domain.

There was something different about her behavior. She wasn’t attacking whatever she was focused on. Instead, she was watching very carefully. I could see this pretty large insect advancing on her and as it advanced on her, she would quickly back up. A few days ago, I realize that we have an underground yellowjacket nest on the other side of where our spirit tree used to be. I was concerned that it was a yellowjacket and she was going to get stung.

I quickly went outside, grabbing a long-handled hammer on the way. When I got into the cat enclosure I could see this big black insect. It seemed to be chasing her...

I quickly walked over and looked and saw the unmistakable red hourglass indicative of a black widow. Ashley had already vacated the platform. I took the hammer and I smashed this invader.

I have seen black widows here before, but generally, they are in the woodpiles, or the firewood. I’ve never seen one inside the cat enclosure. I checked Ashley up and down to make sure that she hadn’t been bitten and she showed no signs of it. She was acting perfectly normal. I am grateful that she had her survival instinct, fully engaged. This could’ve gone very badly for both of us.

Just to be on the safe side I kept a watch over her for a few hours and saw no symptoms. No tremors, no paralysis, no diarrhea, no vomiting this morning. She is alert and happy and alive and I’m grateful that I chose that certain time of the morning to wash my dishes.

Back in Cascadia Park

This morning, Kota and I went up on the mountain to Cascadia Park. It’s an amazing place. Very quiet and secluded. They have an unfenced dog park tucked  in the back, so we decided to check that out. You can see by the photos how it’s laid out. Kota was the only dog there.

Being up here with him off leash, it quickly became apparent that I need to work with him on his obedience skills. He does have obedience training. However, the inability for me to work with him in the last three years really shows. Once he gets on a scent, or he sees a chipmunk, squirrel or rabbit, all his focus goes not on me but on the animals. 

I’m so grateful that part of my training him included not chasing wildlife. We have a lot of wildlife in our backyard. However, we do not have rabbits; that was a new one for him. Thankfully, he obeyed me, but I could see him quivering. His actions spoke clearly to me: “ Mom! Let me go. I want to chase!” I am grateful that, despite the fact that I haven’t worked with him on a daily basis in so long, he did behave himself.

I was so excited yesterday: I almost made a fist with my right hand! Two of my fingers appear to have a mind of their own. They are moving over, not allowing me to make a full fist, but it is so much better than it was right after the surgery. Even better than it was a month ago. I believe my therapist has a lot to do with it. She has me doing bicep curls with 5 pound weights, one in each hand. The first time I tried it, it was dismal. I couldn’t even lift my left arm up past my waist. She just keeps encouraging me and telling me that it will get better. She is thinking about releasing me from therapy in two weeks. I have promised her I will continue all the exercises at home until I am able to again reached the top shelves of my cupboards. Her next challenge is a bit daunting. She wants me to start washing my walls. Not that they don’t need them, but I still will not be able to do the entire wall. I’m still trying to get behind the wheel of my truck. That is still quite a ways away I’m afraid.

Well, the bus has arrived to pick us up. This park is only 25 minutes from my home. It was just so nice to escape, for even just a little while.