Wrecker Goes to the Vet

After starting to have an odor about him in April, and then beginning to drool in June, Wrecker began to lose weight.  He began to stay outside and was covered with leaves that would stick to him because of his drool.  We tried brushing his teeth, bathing him, and giving soft food.  But he continued to deteriorate, so it was time to take him to the veterinary clinic.  We got some explanations, he had bad stomatitis, but the reason for this depended on doing some blood work.  He ended up testing positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (the cat equivalent of HIV).   So that explained the weight loss and was probably the cause of the stomatitis.  We were offered whole mouth tooth extractions, but it seemed like a trial of steroids would make a lot of sense and cost a lot less money.  We were also recommended to get canned food instead of dry food for him.  The steroids were started that same day and within a couple of days, Wrecker was no longer drooling and his appetite picked up quite a bit.  He was loving the new routine of taking his steroids, followed by his new food.  He is now grooming himself better and feels loved. 

Wrecker showed up to our front door the morning of his appointment covered in leaves.

He was a loud presence in our car on the way to the appointment...we had to keep the windows down to keep the odor from building up.

New food...big fan.

More please?

 

Last Night Game in Oakland

Brett was looking for an opportunity to get in a last game in Oakland before the A's left.  Then he realized that he would have the opportunity to attend the final night game which seemed like the right thing to do given that he went to the last night game at Candlestick Park too.  Brett talked his friend Derren into going with him since the family was going to be stuck at ICC until about game time.  They arrived early, had a catch, and a tailgate before going in to watch batting practice and talk about all of the memories they each had in this stadium.  It was sad to leave the park for the last time, knowing there would not be another game there.

Brent Rooker batting against Jose Leclerc.

Lawrence Butler on the board.

Dave Stewart poster at the Coliseum.

The Oakland Athletics take the field for the last time at a night game in Oakland.

Marcus Semien leads off for the Rangers, back in his old stomping grounds.

Law Dawg up to bat.

Derren and Brett in the 2nd deck, section 220, row 5.

Rickey, Eck, and Rollie the big heads race!

September School Times

Bryce and Griffin at ICC chapter.

Logging in for the first ASLT call of the year.

Qi'ra says this one should be awake, I'm still counting...

Dodgeball in PE class.

Soccer Day at PE class.

Soccer action!

Bryce makes tortillas and Wrecker with a new appetite, checks it out.

Qi'ra says attention to me, while Bryce and Griffin are gaming.

 

Griffin and Isabella share the platform.

Griffin, Jonathan, and Caleb present a skit.

Jake and Griffin teach on tennis.

Working on ICC speech events.

County Health Happenings

Brett came in for a tour of the clinic that Julie provided.

Joy and Willie were the foremen for the County Retreat--Sunita in for the picture.

Sunita, Willie, Joy, and Lucas.

Provider picture with the Unicorn and Koala.

Joy at work in the clinic.

 

Golfing w Bryce

We welcomed Bryce back into the fold and took him golfing with us the very next Saturday.  He enjoyed using his powerful swing and hitting the golf balls with authority.  We also spent some time on the putting green working on our putting so that we will have more success the next time we play nine holes.

 

Bryce Comes Home

After being gone for 3 weeks in Southeast Asia, Bryce couldn't wait to have some of Mom's good homemade pizza.  So that was the plan for the first night and hearing stories from his trip.  Before we left the airport, we hunted down Garrett and the Impact team that was continuing on back to Tennessee and got to say hello briefly and hear some stories from the weary travelers.

Pizza dinner.

Hello Mom!

Reunited with brother Griffin.

Getting to see Garrett before we drove home.

 

Playing Nine Holes

A successful first adventure with Joy on nine holes.

Joy driving 200 yards.

Griffin tees off.

Finished up with some great shots amongst us.

Griffin drives one long and straight.

Last Week of the Impact Team

The team in a patch of Daisies.

Smile Bryce, I am going to send this picture to your mother!

Bryce with Mr. and Mrs. Au.

Brothers Unite in Singapore.

Bryce from the pulpit?  Is it Pastor Paul?

Are we happy shoppers?

Group picture in Singapore.

The buildings lit up.

Team photos.