A Dog’s (and Our) Purpose October 30, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Uncategorized.Tags: chain email, dogs, laughter, life, Love, purpose
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I am not usually a big fan of these chain emails, but I found a connection with this one and thought I would share…
A Dog’s Purpose? (From a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.” Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try to live.
He said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
Movie Review: Firewall October 21, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Society.Tags: Firewall, Harrison Ford, Movie, review
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Netflix Synopsis: State-of-the-art security system creator Jack Stanfield (Harrison Ford) has cemented his reputation as a man who’s thought of everything. But when a criminal (Paul Bettany) finds a way into Jack’s personal life, everything Jack holds dear is suddenly at stake. Virginia Madsen, Alan Arkin and Robert Patrick co-star in this taut thriller from acclaimed British director Richard Loncraine (Richard III, Wimbledon).
I watched this one a couple of weeks ago and am finally getting around to writting this up. This movie was ok. The suspense and the twists and turns of this thriller made me keep watching. And I appreciated the realistic technology used as opposed to some movies that just make stuff up that people won’t understand. But as a whole it played a little flat. I think the storyline left me asking “why?” throughout the movie and then the ending was a “really?”. There are better movies in the category, but if you like Harrison Ford in a non-Indiana Jones movie, this will probably works for you.
Movie Review: Couples Retreat October 17, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Society.Tags: Couples Retreat, Movies, review, Vince Vaughan
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Here is my first post using my new Apple Touch. My wife worked hard to win a raffle and this was her motivation, a prize specifically for me. Anyway, I am trying to use the WordPress app. I say “try” because it is certainly more difficult trying to type on this little screen than it is on normal keyboard.
So, let me get on to the review before I ramble on any further. Couples Retreat is a funny movie – not necessarily as funny as some of Vince Vaughan’s other movies, but still funny. What I found most interesting about this one is the amount of “truth behind the jokes” there is. Every couple is different. What makes them tick, what makes them work is always different. And there are ups and downs, but the couples that stay together figure out ways to work through their problems through teamwork and communication.
So, I did enjoy this movie, but when you watch it you can’t help think about how important what you do, what you say, and how hard you are willing to work really is.
What Happened 5 Minutes Ago? October 9, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Uncategorized.Tags: brain development, child, concentration, five year old, focus, memory, phases
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How is it possible that a five year old can remember things from a year and a half ago, but has no idea what happened 5 minutes ago? This morning Alec asked me about Easter from before he was four. He asked me to go to the toboggan run we did a couple of times the last couple of years. I asked him what clothes he put on before we left the house. I asked him what he had for breakfast. He had no idea. When I ask him what happens and school and he can only remember what happened last week.
I searched online and can find no information. There appears to be no research on this subject. It does raise a little concern for us that he can’t remember. As a kindergartener this may start to undermine his ability to learn. He is starting to learn how to read, but when we help him with the letter sounds, he forgets two minutes later. How is that possible?
I really hope we figure this out. Hopefully someone out there will search just like I did and come across this post. Please cooberate. Please tell us we are nuts and everyone goes through this. We know he is a bright, creative kid, he just needs to get through this phase.
Milford Stay Dri Tri 2009 October 7, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Family, Fitness.Tags: Bike, canoe, MI, Michigan, Milford, race, run, Stay Dri Tri, triathalon
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I am getting closer and closer to participating in a real triathalon. A few years ago, I did an indoor tri that used the pool, stationary bike and treadmill. It did not have measured transitions, so the intensity of the combined disciplines was reduced. I also did a few outdoor duathalons that year, but no swimming. Maybe next year, I will get in the water outside.
This past weekend, I joined a friend in a team triathalon. – although this one was a little different – instead of being in the water, we were on the water… canoeing 5K from Proud Lake to Milford. Once we beached the canoe (for the last time – there were several run-ins with the river banks!) we carried thr 75lb aluminum canoe about 1/3 mile to the transition area where we jumped on our bikes. I left the transition area a few seconds (22 secs) before than my partner who has real triathalon experience. I had a feeling I would be seeing him shortly. From that point, it was a 10K mountain bike ride on a tight single track trail through the woods in Milford. Although I did not recognize him, he passed me in the first mile or so, but we stayed close after that. In the midst of other faster riders passing us, I ended up passing Jeff with a mile or so to go in the bike. As I dismounted my bike, I heard our support team (our families) cheering him on, so my lead was about the same as when I started the bike. I heard later he had crashed right at the end of the bike trail.
After we survived that, it was a 5K run on the new paved Milford Trail. Jeff took a few seconds to put on his MP3 player, but after I racked my bike I grabbed some water and got out on the run. (It turns out he gave me 43 second head start.) I knew from the Milford Memories 5K, he was about 1:30 to 2 min faster than me, so I suspected I would have to have great run to hold him off. Unfortunately, right away, I knew I wasn’t going to set a blistering pace when I could feel the wobbles in my hamstring and then tightness in the calves. Sure enough, at the turn-around, he was only about 10 seconds behind me. He caught me and slowed down as I could keep up with him, although I have to say I would have stopped if we wasn’t there, so he kept me going. I finished the 5K in 28:04 which is decent given the prior bike.
After we finished and caught out breath, the rain started. It had been threatening and spitting all morning, but the skies really opened up. We were quite lucky to have gotten it in before that, because the bike and run would have been tough – it was on 50 degrees at the time. That being said, this was a really fun event. We really pushed ourselves and got to enjoy the outdoor activities Milford has to offer… this is yet another example of why I like living here!
Fascinating Accumulation of Data October 7, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Uncategorized.Tags: data, Hans Rosling, Politics, Talks, TED, Videos
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I have seen a couple of this man’s TED Talks and they are unbelievable. If you like data, this will blow your mind.
Surgery at last for Daisy October 3, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Uncategorized.Tags: Daisy, dogs, surgery, tightrope, TPLO, vetinarian
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Last January I posted about Daisy hurting her knee. After nearly 9 months, we decided to go ahead with the surgery. She clearly was suffering at times and the pain and anti-inflammatory medicine appeared to be causing some diaherra. She is a healthy strong girl, so we expect her to be with us for quite some time. Yesterday, she received a tightrope surgery. The surgeon and vet offices has said she is doing well and she came home last night. They say it is 8-12 weeks of recovery, but after that she should be as good as new.
The hardest part will be keeping her from running and jumping, but with winter coming, hopefully we will inside with her more and she will have more time to recover.
So far, she is trying to do everything she normally does – let go upstairs (I had to escort her down once so far), jump up on the couch and ottoman (so far, we have been able to stop her), and she is even putting a little pressure on her (recovering) leg. The canine species is so amazing in this way. She is quite the stoic girl.
Movie Review: Gran Torino October 3, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Society.Tags: Clint Eastwood, Gran Torino, Michigan, Movies, review
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Netflix Synopsis: Curmudgeonly Korean War veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood, who also directs) must confront his Hmong immigrant neighbors — and his own long-held prejudices — when the family’s teenage son, Thao (Bee Vang), tries to steal Walt’s beloved 1972 Gran Torino. Walt soon assumes the unlikely role of guardian angel to young Thao and his sister Sue (Ahney Her), both of whom are vulnerable to local gang influences.
Movie #2 this week – most people have heard about this one as it was critically-acclaimed – and rightly so. This was a great movie, I would say very similar to another good Eastwood movie, Million Dollar Baby with Hillary Swank. In this one, the only real star is Eastwood, but his supporting cast builds a captivating scene and entertaining relationships that make this film enjoyable. It is easy to get immersed in this Michigan based story.
Movie Review: The Good Shepherd October 3, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Society.Tags: documentary, Matt Damon, Movies, review, The Good Shepherd
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Netflix Synopsis: Matt Damon and Robert De Niro (who also directs) star in this partially fact-based drama that examines the early history of the CIA as seen through the eyes of a dedicated agent. An upstanding, sharp-minded Yale student, Edward Wilson (Damon) is recruited to work for the fledgling CIA during World War II. Though loyal to his country, Wilson begins to feel the job eroding his ideals, filling him with distrust and destroying his personal life.
My first of three movies from Netflix this week, The Good Shephard was very entertaining and informative. Based on real events revolving around the Bay of Pigs incident and the CIA work. I admit I am not very well educated on these events, but was interested in the history of the time period.
However, the presentation of this movie was rough. It was nearly three hours in length and I think that was in part because of all the timeline transitions. Each new scene seemed to jump from one time period to another. The movie covered from about 1910 to 1970 and while this made for an interesting story, this jump disrupted my enjoyment of the film.
Movie (Documentary) Review: Man on Wire October 2, 2009
Posted by shwaldman in Uncategorized.Tags: documentary, Man On Wire, Movies, Philippe Petit, review
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Netflix Synopsis: Philippe Petit captured the world’s attention in 1974 when he successfully walked across a high wire between New York’s Twin Towers. This Oscar winner for Best Documentary explores the preparations that went into the stunt as well as the event and its aftermath. Obsessed with the towers even before they were fully constructed, Petit sneaked into the buildings several times to determine the equipment he needed to accomplish his daring feat.
I first heard about this movie during one of favorite podcasts, Think on NPR’s KERA station in Texas. The passion that came through of Philippe Petite was captivating. I knew then that I had to find it on Netflix. Well, this week, I finally got around to it from the “Watch Instantly” queue.
Now, I have to say this, 8 years after the events of September 11th, 2001, this movie was very errie. That being said, for a documentary, this story is amazing and the performance is absolutely breath-taking. If you can get past the reminders of 9/11, this is a can’t miss movie. It celebrates one man’s passion, possibly slight insanity, determination and skill. And the photography is spectacular.
