Sunday, July 29, 2012

Calendar Model

Tony and I are super excited that Butters will be featured in the 2013 Cavalier Matters calendar!   He is the winner for the month of May, winning the title of "Handsomest Boy."  Tony and I are of course biased, but we think the judges made a great choice!  


You can see Butters and the other winners here:

http://www.cavaliertalk.com/forums/showthread.php?42022-2013-calendar-and-the-winners-are

The funds from the competition and calendar sales go for a great cause: Rupert's Fund.  This organization raises money to fund research on syringomyelia, a neurological disease that widely affects cavaliers.

Butters also seems to be a fan of the judges' choices.... especially "Rosie," winner of "Prettiest Girl"


That's right, Butters.  We caught you looking!


Saturday, July 21, 2012

Easily Entertained


Ever since Butters was a pup, he has enjoyed creating his own entertainment.  For instance, he has been CRAZY for cardboard rolls ever since the day we brought him home.  We can't leave any paper towel rolls in the range of his little nose... or else he will tear through the entire thing to get to that cardboard.  He routinely scours the bathroom, hoping to find the abandoned remains of the toilet paper.  His favorite part about Christmas was the wrapping paper.  I remember him sneaking off into his crate with this while Tony and I were preparing presents:


He has a doggie bed full of bones, stuffed animals, and balls... but every time will choose that cheap piece of cardboard over the finest toy.


Lately, he has discovered a new interest: the plastic water bottle.  Tony and I will grab one, sit on the couch to have a nice drink... and there will be Butters...


.... just waiting to get his little paws on that water bottle.


When he finally gets a hold of one, he thoroughly enjoys pouncing on it, sending it spinning.


That annoying crinkly sound gives him endless entertainment.  


And, he will trot around the house, proudly showing off his new prize.




 Tony and I really don't mind too much.  It certainly saves a lot of extra money on doggie toys!




Friday, July 20, 2012

A New Home




When Tony and I moved last month, we already had everything we needed to set up our new home.  Pretty much we just transplanted all of the items from our old house to the new one.  It surprised me, however, how different the new house feels compared to the last.  Despite being surrounded by all of our familiar things, even in a similar setup, this new place doesn't feel the same.  It is a good feeling, just different.

I guess it is just part of moving in general.  I remember having the same feeling when we transferred just a few minutes away, leaving our apartment for our house in Buffalo.  We have new routines now.  The familiar still feels a bit unfamiliar.  The environment has changed around us, and we find ourself changing a bit as well.


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Tony and da bass

One of the things I love about Tony is his passion and natural talent for creating music.  We share a lot of the same interests, but I really appreciate that playing bass is a special hobby all his own.


At the beginning of medical school, he taught himself how to play.  I remember seeing him in our little apartment with his first bass, trying out new chords printed off the Internet.  He had a large binder full of music by the end of that first year.  


It amazed me how quickly his technique advanced, and he turned into a great player.  He started testing out different sounds using various string and pedal types.  There were many nights I would study to the sound of him playing bass.  Joined by other instrument-playing friends, we had many music + dinner nights at our house.  And, by our fourth year of med school, he was recording and playing at open mic nights and formal band gigs, playing with a variety of different players experimenting with various genres of music.   








In the same way that I appreciate his music, Tony understands my enjoyment of photography.  I value the moments when both of our passions can come together, like through this blog.  Tony has long been a willing subject for my photos, with his bass in hand.  Going to his music gigs gave me a chance to try out new angles and lenses in low-light settings.  The colors and variation of his pedals and basses makes it fun to practice shooting on lazy afternoons (or the afternoon before another long overnight of night-float, like today).  I hope that in the future we can continue to keep, share, and appreciate these interests.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Century-Old Medicine


The world has come a long way in medical care in the last 100 years.  This became readily apparent to me last spring when Tony and I received a unique present from our friend, Bruce.  Bruce had found these two medical textbooks, published in 1918, during one of his business trips.  What an awesome gift!  While perusing these books over the last couple of months, I felt like I had been taken back into an olden-time movie... a doctor showing up at a patient’s doorstep, carrying a leather bag packed full of homemade remedies.  It was really fascinating exploring these fantastic books, especially as a physician trained a century later.  I wanted to share a few of the highlights that I discovered along the way. 




The first volume contained an anatomy pop-up, highlighting all of the major anatomical landmarks an esteemed physician should know.  



Don't forget to look into the retroperitoneum!


Of course a reflection of the times, there were striking differences in appropriate recommendations for men and women.  One of the things that really struck me was the emphasis on gender appropriate physical exercises...


... as well as hygeine practices that every health-conscious lady should know (don't worry, that adhesive tape will remove those pesky wrinkles!!)



Treatment of pregnancy differed significantly from today, particularly relating to the appropriate confinement location for any soon-to-be mother.



Surprisingly, there were many striking similarities between the diagnosis of medical conditions then and now.  Many of the signs and symptoms, as well as physical exam techniques, are still recognized and used for diagnoses like pneumonia, cystitis, and appendicitis.  


However, major differences exist in terms of the understanding of disease processes (pathophysiology), as well as the treatment. For many conditions like gastric ulcers and diabetes, the authors cited that the causes were still unknown. 


And, treatments largely consisted of bed rest, hot or cold applications, and/or home remedies. Discoveries, like insulin and penicillin, didn't come until the 1920's.









Although many of the treatments are certainly outdated, a few were helpful.   For instance, for my future children: oil, NOT water, will be used in the assisted removal of any peas stuck in the ears.


It was also interesting to see diagnoses that have received name make-overs.  For example, discoordination of the eyes is now known as "strabismus," not "squinting."


In addition to the medical content of the books, I was pretty impressed that the authors had a good sense of humor.  For instance, their description of "ordinary drunkenness" probably needs to be incorporated into present-day medical textbooks.


While some of the humor was intentional, I found myself also amused by depictions aimed to be a bit more serious.  For instance, I guess "stop, drop, and roll" was not discovered until later.  The "Clothing Afire" section seems to be designed for the less than astute individual.

Also, this depiction of the infant exam amused me... especially in exercise X.  I think that accurately captures the feeling of every young child subjected to a well-child examination


And, the calculated description of "Flatulence," as "gas... expelled from time to time in noisy eructations" nailed the definition quite nicely.


Thanks, Bruce, for such a great gift!  I had a lot of fun exploring the books, and they will someday be proudly displayed in my office.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Officially a Texan!

Butters is now officially a Texan!  His license came in the mail last week... and just so happened to even be in the shape of Texas.


Butters has been well at work showing that he is a true Texas doggie.  

... putting on the southern charm...


                                                       ... adapting to the steamy summers...


                                                                                                             ... and practicing his Texas drawl



Tony and I will most likely join him as Texas residents later this year.  Thankfully, our NY home is set to close at the end of the month!!