Ruthi was at the laundry facility and after loading the washer she moved a chair outside to read while she waited. Another camper came from the bike/dog trail behind the laundry and asked her, “Do you know anything about snakes, rattlers?” Ruthi’s first reaction was, at least it’s not a spider! But not knowing much about them she volunteered to call the office/park ranger. The woman wanted her to see the snake. Ruthi was unsure of how close she needed to get to see that it was a snake, rattler or not wasn’t that important.
The camper had hiking boots and jeans on while Ruthi was dressed in flip-flops and shorts. That’s not a lot of protections against snakes. She can’t even run fast in flip-flops. Anyway, she walked back with the camper and agreed that it was probably a baby rattler. Did you know that baby rattlers are more dangerous than adult versions. Why? You may ask. The Camp Host who came and got the snake for transport to the wild desert on the North side of the park said that babies don’t know how to stop pumping venom. So, getting bit by the baby is more lethal/deadly. The adults can control the amount and length of time they push venom through their fangs to the bitee!
Before walking over to the closest Camp host for assistance, Ruthi call the office. But she was on hold, 5th one in the queque. That wasn’t very helpful as the snake was slithering into the grass and heading for the building. When she finally got someone on the line, she recommended that maybe another option might be provided for calling the Ranger for animal issues: like when the coyote got a camper’s dog, or this snake incident. They weren’t very receptive to the feedback.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Karma's Grooming - Santee, CA
It was time to shorten the length of hair that Karma sheds all over the rig. For a Labradoodle, you would think at least it would be less shedding. We think, in fact, that she sheds more than a pure Labrador does. So, off to the grooming she was going to go. The last time we had used the local Pet Smart, we had been less than pleased with their customer service. They just didn’t seem to be as dog friendly as what we had experienced in prior years. So, we went looking for another option. We had stopped in at the groomers next to the local library and decided they would be ok.
On the day we dropped her off, the groomer came out to find out exactly what we had in mind – no bows in the hair, no kerchiefs, no cologne, really no frou frou and don’t touch the moustache. The groomer was really insulted because this was a dog “salon” and Karma deserved to be pampered. You would think that one look at us and our obvious lack of “salon” treatment would be a hint that we didn’t want our dog frou frou’d either. But no, she was insulted that we would so “cruel”. Anyway, we got out of there (before Boots attacked her) with the knowledge that at least Karma would get loving treatment. Then we began to think about the PRICE for a “salon” treatment for Karma.
When we arrived to pick up Karma, we were pleasantly surprised to find out the cost was even less than the Pet Smart rate. And, Karma had a good time and looked great with no frou frou or cologne – whew!
On the day we dropped her off, the groomer came out to find out exactly what we had in mind – no bows in the hair, no kerchiefs, no cologne, really no frou frou and don’t touch the moustache. The groomer was really insulted because this was a dog “salon” and Karma deserved to be pampered. You would think that one look at us and our obvious lack of “salon” treatment would be a hint that we didn’t want our dog frou frou’d either. But no, she was insulted that we would so “cruel”. Anyway, we got out of there (before Boots attacked her) with the knowledge that at least Karma would get loving treatment. Then we began to think about the PRICE for a “salon” treatment for Karma.
When we arrived to pick up Karma, we were pleasantly surprised to find out the cost was even less than the Pet Smart rate. And, Karma had a good time and looked great with no frou frou or cologne – whew!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Canadian Neighbors - Santee, CA
Today our Canadian neighbors left for the 4 week saunter back up to Calgary, Alberta. We met them back in 2009 when they were parked next to us along the stream here in Santee Lakes. They have a little make Yorkie that’s about the same age as Karma. Taking Karma out for a walk, she always wanted to go across to their site and do a few sniffs with Jake first. In her excitement of meeting him she would rush at Jake. He’s a brave little fellow but Karma’s rush to greet him and size always makes him seek shelter with his owners. Eventually Karma relaxes and Jake comes back out for the exchange of sniffs.
We have developed a friendship with this 80+YO couple of adventurers. We even all went to Texas for last winter (2011). Unfortunately, we weren’t in the same RV Park but we did get a chance to see them while we were in the Houston area. They have been Camping/RVing since their 2 children were little. They have been coming to the San Diego area for at least the past 20 years. She really loves the Southern California weather and environment. They are the only RVers we know who drive shorter days than we do. So, they take a month to get here December 1st and then a month to get back by April Fool’s Day.
This year their departure was delayed because the wife had a heart attack about 6 weeks ago. He had her transported via ambulance to a local hospital and eventually to UCSD (University of California at San Diego) Medical Center. Their son had been down at Christmas time and the daughter came (as scheduled) just before she was discharged from the hospital. So, her recovery was helped having her daughter around. After the daughter returned to her home, Ruthi went with the husband (or both of them after she was discharged) to assist with getting her in and out of the truck. At first, it didn’t look like she’d be able to ride back and would need to be medivaced to Calgary but she did improve day by day.
By the time they left, she was even helping to stow things away. She was sad to leave Santee, knowing she might not be able to come back next year. But, she was very happy to be heading to the casinos in Laughlin, NV before heading north.
We have developed a friendship with this 80+YO couple of adventurers. We even all went to Texas for last winter (2011). Unfortunately, we weren’t in the same RV Park but we did get a chance to see them while we were in the Houston area. They have been Camping/RVing since their 2 children were little. They have been coming to the San Diego area for at least the past 20 years. She really loves the Southern California weather and environment. They are the only RVers we know who drive shorter days than we do. So, they take a month to get here December 1st and then a month to get back by April Fool’s Day.
This year their departure was delayed because the wife had a heart attack about 6 weeks ago. He had her transported via ambulance to a local hospital and eventually to UCSD (University of California at San Diego) Medical Center. Their son had been down at Christmas time and the daughter came (as scheduled) just before she was discharged from the hospital. So, her recovery was helped having her daughter around. After the daughter returned to her home, Ruthi went with the husband (or both of them after she was discharged) to assist with getting her in and out of the truck. At first, it didn’t look like she’d be able to ride back and would need to be medivaced to Calgary but she did improve day by day.
By the time they left, she was even helping to stow things away. She was sad to leave Santee, knowing she might not be able to come back next year. But, she was very happy to be heading to the casinos in Laughlin, NV before heading north.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Karma's Sense of Space - Santee, CA
Usually, Karma is very aware of her surroundings and can avoid poles, chairs, other dogs, etc. in her speed runs to get from a point A to point B or to get a ball. When out walking, she sometimes gets on the side of a pole or tree that is away from us and we use “this side” to get her to un-circle herself and join us on the same side of the obstacle.
But not this morning. She was sniffing/marking around one of the poles that holds up various signs in the RV park when something got her attention. Either another dog coming up on her left or her favorite camp host (provides treats when Karma finds him) just came around his rig’s corner and surprised her, because she leaped up and charged right into one of the sign poles. There was a loud “clunk” sound and she gave some attention to the left side of her skull. It all appears to be ok but she really got a good hit.
But not this morning. She was sniffing/marking around one of the poles that holds up various signs in the RV park when something got her attention. Either another dog coming up on her left or her favorite camp host (provides treats when Karma finds him) just came around his rig’s corner and surprised her, because she leaped up and charged right into one of the sign poles. There was a loud “clunk” sound and she gave some attention to the left side of her skull. It all appears to be ok but she really got a good hit.
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