In my world, surgery is always done in the same sort of suite: sterile, with bleached floors, bright fluorescent lights that shine with blinding precision upon what needs to be illuminated, and an ergonomic table that can be lifted to the exact height one needs to eliminate those pesky hunchback issues during surgical procedures. Needless to say that is not really the case here in Peru. Here, we stack benches in old schoolhouses, cover pool tables with plastic, and balance a plank on a ... Read more »
Blog
Just another day at the office
Yesterday we visited the second of the four villages along the Amazon river basin on our trip, a small town called Tamanco. We rose early, having planned to go do some sloth viewing at 6 am. Of course it had been pouring rain since midnight and was continuing to pour as we got up, so no sloths for us. Instead, we sat around in the common area and hatched up a plan to borrow the resident dogs of the ExplorNapo lodge for some much-needed care. Paco, an older male, and Lola, a 12 week old female ... Read more »
Medicine Man
When I was 7, I was stung by a honeybee while floating in the pool in the backyard. My grandmother, ever resourceful, put a poultice on my back to draw out the venom. She had a home cure for everything, which seemed quaint at the time before I appreciated just how much she knew: honey tea for sore throats, orange juice for a cold. Before we took the knowledge away from people and sequestered it behind white coats and books, everyone knew how to minister to their health. Here in the river ... Read more »
ExplorNapo: Medicine Begins Here Part 1
I'm posting a bit out of order here, but with the wifi all over the place it's easiest for me to just do it this way. So while I may not be able to post about the first week in Iquitos for a bit, you all can at least get a feel for where the AmazonCares team is here for week two. After the first week of what can only be explained as pure unadulterated good hard work, we were all more than happy to head down to the dock of the Explorama Lodge and head down the Amazon for our two days of rest ... Read more »
Guest post: 5 Reasons to love a kitty with the wobbles
Today I'm happy to feature a guest post from Amanda Maurer, discussing one of my favorite topics: the joys of adopting a special needs pet. Cerebellar hypoplasia is a common condition that- well, wait, I'll just let her tell you. Enjoy! Special needs pet owners view their pets as just that: special. They're an extraordinary group of pets that are often overlooked because they're different and consquently may have more needs than "normies." But here's a secret: They make great pets -- ... Read more »
I’m Still Alive
The internet access here has been spotty at best. I don’t want to spend too much time in a vain attempt to upload pictures that aren’t going to actually make it online, so I’m going to save the main portion of the narrative for when I get back. I could easily write an entire book about the experience but I'm too interested in experiencing it to sit down and write for hours while I'm here, so forgive me for just throwing crumbs at you for now. I have a few photos up on the Flickr account, but ... Read more »
Giveaway: Paco Collars + Fetching Tags = Match made in heaven
Contest is now closed! Winner will be announced on or before 4/30! In honor of my Very Special Trip, I'm soooo excited to have a Very Special Giveaway this week courtesy of two fantastic companies that have joined forces: Paco Collars and Fetching Tags! If you're familiar with either company, you know that both are handmade products with a high level of artistry and craftsmanship. This collar is seriously the bee's knees. Today's giveaway reminds me of nothing more than that most wonderful ... Read more »
Easter Bunny Tales
I'm very excited to share with you all a Very Special Guest Post by a veterinarian who knows much more about rabbits than I do: exotics veterinarian Dr. Baebler! Like many vets, I'll grudgingly treat these little guys, but I know less about them than I wish I did. So without further ado, here's some Easter advice from our buddy Dr B! With Easter just around the corner, ‘tis the season for cute little bunnies, chicks, and ducklings to start appearing in pet stores and farm & feed ... Read more »
I am Capuchin
I spend a lot of time eavesdropping on the conversations of the other parents in my kids' classes. I try to participate when I have something pertinent to add, but the conversations are often about things I don't have much to say about: tanning jeans PTA meetings All three topics about which I quickly find myself in over my head. So I mostly listen, and nod at what seems like appropriate intervals. This week, the topic was Spring Break. Some parents are working, and the kids will ... Read more »
What, me worry?
Several years ago, while I was wistfully speaking about all the places in the world I'd like to someday see, my husband looked at me over the top of his computer and said these words: "I'm not doing an overseas flight with you unless you get some Xanax." I was terribly offended, of course. I mean, come on. Sure, I get a little tense when I'm worried about making a flight on time- who isn't? But given the state of TSA lines these days, I think I'm justified. Overall I'm a pretty good ... Read more »
