I remembereddddddddddd !!!!

and it wasnt that important ... dont ya hate when that happens hehe ... well I suppose it is important ...

I took Calais back to the vets on Tuesday night to get more drugs for her until her operation ... and to check a few things out too ... anyway ...

this could take a while, bare with me ...

when we first took Calais to the vet in Lower Hutt the vet, while very nice, spoke in very technical terms. So I took the opportunity the other night to explore the operation and other options a little further. Our vet (who changes day by day I'm sure of it) was extremely patient with me and really helped me to understand what the operation meant and also drug options. I was particularly curious after Jo's Mum *waves to Jenny* mentioned the drug option. I found out why the drug option isnt an option for Calais ... its because of her weight. The drug option would be fine for dogs under about 8 kg or older dogs who really dont have much time left on the planet - so the smaller dogs and/or older dogs do great on the drugs. However, all the drugs do is mask the actually problem which is, the ligaments are ruptured and the bones are starting to wear down. Calais is about 32kg and while thats heavy for a golden retriever bitch, she isnt over weight - THANK GOD SOMEONE IN THIS FAMILY ISNT OVERWEIGHT! She's got a lovely waist and ribs. So if we only put Calais on the drugs her bones would wear out before she did, the operation is the only way to stop the wear and tear thing happening on the knee joint, however it wont stop the arthritis and she may still require drugs a few years down the track.

That's what I'd forgotten to write about ... which brings me to my next point of ponder ... if that applies with dogs, does it apply to us humans too?!?!?!? ... I've certainly heard about overweight people turned away from surgery or medical stuff because its too risky for them. I suppose couple that with high blood pressure and/or diabetes and the risk raises.

It scares the living bejesus out of me that I could possibly be told ... sorry lady you'll have to cope with your pain (or die) because you are too heavy and arent worth saving ... OMG how bloody frightening. So I need to eliminate the risks ... diabetes and high blood pressure are no longer a risk for me *at this point in time* so I need to drop the rest of this weight.

Watched biggest loser tonight ... it was about two engaged couples who signed up for the weightloss programme. When they got their they found out they were playing for a $50,000 wedding of their dreams. That incentive was a HUGEEEEEEEEEEE motivation for them. One couple lost 41 pounds, the other couple lost 56 pounds in two weeks. The programme next week finds out which couple managed to lose the biggest percentage of weight over 8 months - they'll be the winners. Incredible what motivates us eh.

I was saying to Craig ... if I went on a weightloss programme like that and then found out the prize was plastic surgery I'd drop the weight in a flash because my mind is geared up to have plastic surgery when I get to goal. It's just some days right now ... goal seems so bloody far away. Then Craig (bless his heart) said to me ... what is my goal/motivation/incentive right now which is achieveable an realistic of course ... and it's sitting right in front of me ...

I'm going to the UK and USA in 8 months time ... I won a FREE TRIP! I want to be looking and feeling my best, I want to see as much as I can and I wanna go on every damn rollercoast I can queue for ... thats my incentive and I'm gunna do it.

My short term goal is to get rid of the chocolate easter eggs still sitting in my fridge *grin*

oh yeah ... my legs are still hairy and my arse is still sore - back to the gym tomorrow!