It's great to be home.  I so missed Jasmine and all my pets.  However, I was able to cross off one of the items on my bucket list and accomplished the goal of getting my advanced Yoga certification.

Bella left today for four days to stay with her new family and I miss her!  She will be coming back to us for 2 weeks on Monday when her new family goes on vacation.  I'm so looking forward to having her back and we've told them that any time they want to go out of town we will be happy to watch her.  I get attached to all of our foster pets, but Bella has been such a joy.  She is recovering really nicely from her surgery and runs all over and rolls around just like most poodles :)

I am just now recovering from my jet lag and starting back into teaching my Yoga classes. I feel awful that I am so overdue in catching up on my favorite blogs.  Thanks so much for not giving up on me.  Take care my friends!!! 

Michelle

Here are some more photos of this amazing park known as "Secret Beach" here on the island:

I have about 2 weeks left of 12 hour days and then my adjustment to a 6 hour difference time change to look forward to when I return home.  In spite of all that, I'm completely in my element and having a wonderful time.  Strange to think that I just finished a 2 hour Ashtanga HOT Yoga class at 2 AM my time.  Hmmm...do you think I'll have some jet lag when I return to florida ;)?

Thanks for stopping by!  I truly appreciate all my loyal and occasional readers!

Michelle

As you can see in the above photo Andy's new mom loves him very much!

Daddy loves Andy too:

Andy likes to help his daddy at his desk:
and in the garage:
Sweet dreams Andy!
Andy is a one and a half year old cat who is sweet as can be.  He was diagnosed with FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) when he came to our shelter several months ago.  At the time, he was having some trouble getting around because the muscles in his back legs are weak.  The vet was very worried that Andy's health couldn't be improved.  Worse of all there was some concern that he might be suffering.  Despite this, the wonderful couple in the above photos decided to take Andy into their home and provide him with that TLC that we all know can make such a difference!  The vet has been extremely impressed with Andy's progress and he is continuing to thrive with a wonderful quality of life :)

Andy takes two pills called triamcinolone .5 mg every other day.

Here are eight important facts about FIV that I wanted to share.  This information was taken from the following web site:

http://www.bestfriends.org/theanimals/petcare/cats_fiv.cfm

1. The Feline Immuno-deficiency Virus is a slow virus that affects a cat's immune system over a period of years.

2. FIV is a cat-only disease and cannot be spread to humans or other non-felines.

3. FIV cats most often live long, healthy, and relatively normal lives with no symptoms at all.

4. FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be spread casually - like in litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling and playing. It is rarely spread from a mother to her kittens.

5. The virus can be spread through blood transfusions, badly infected gums, or serious, penetrating bite wounds. (Bite wounds of this kind are extremely rare, except in free-roaming, unneutered tomcats.)

6. A neutered cat, in a home, is extremely unlikely to infect other cats, if properly introduced.

7. Many vets are not educated about FIV since the virus was only discovered 15 years ago.

8. FIV-positive cats should be kept as healthy as possible. Keep them indoors and free from stress, feed them a high-quality diet, keep and treat any secondary problems as soon as they arise.

One more photo of precious Andy:

Awww...Just goes to show how a little love can make such a difference.  THANK YOU Nancy and Barry for making a difference!!!

Thank you too for stopping by and reading.  I hope eveyone is having a wonderful week.  Until next time. 

Michelle

Definition of revelation *

3.

Theology .

a.

God's disclosure of Himself and His will to His creatures.

b.

an instance of such communication or disclosure.

c.

something thus communicated or disclosed.

* http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/revelation

I am especially thankful this Thursday because all of my pets are healthy :)  We went through the scare with Chanel's 15% weight loss and Sasha vomiting and not eating for almost 3 days.  Sasha has been back to her normal happy self and Chanel is back to her normal weight of 8 lbs 6 ounces. 

So, now onto my big revelation.  Coco passed away almost nine months ago and as you all know I've struggled enormously with her loss. It was the first time I'd dealt with death so close to home and it was especally hard for me because she was only five years old.  Last week I was walking around in a store trying to hold back the tears because EVERYTHING - blankets, toys, dishes, cat beds, you name it reminded me of Coco for one reason or another.  Trust me I know it all sounds a little crazy!  I was basically feeling sorry for myself and very miserable.  Some days are better than others, but trust me I have had one too many like the one I am describing over the past nine months.  When I arrived home I realized Sasha has been vomiting and not eating.  I was very afraid after she was still not eating two days later and acting so lethargic which is so not like her.  I began to realize how much I have to be thankful for.  All of my pets are so special and I know Coco would want me to be grateful for them and not moping around being sad.

Don't get me wrong, I'll still have "those"days thinking about Coco and she will always have a BIG special place in my heart.  However, the events of the last week have been a revelation in that I know I need to focus on the present and the future and those who depend on me :) 

Thanks for reading and I hope this holiday season brings joy and happiness for all of you!