True Blue Sam the Travelin' Man: Rest In Peace, Toopie

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Rest In Peace, Toopie

Our little dog Toopie passed away Sunday afternoon, just a few days after we found that he was ill. He went from being energetic, to off of his feed and lethargic very quickly, and our vet looked at him on Friday. He determined that Toopie had a swollen liver, which could be caused by infection or cancer. The vet put him on antibiotics in case it was an infection, but the downhill slide never slowed down. Toopie did enjoy Friday evening, going for a ride in the family car with us.

Toopie was a challenge with several health problems, but he was a joy to have around. We had him wormed, cured his mange, and brought him through treatment for heartworms. It was a real blow when he suffered a stroke last December, but he was a tough little dog and made a complete recovery. His pal Brat cat stuck by him when he was down last winter, and this weekend Brat sat with Toopie, right up until he died.

Toopie's recovery from his stroke last year seemed downright miraculous to us. His rapid decline and death shouldn't be a surprise, given our long history with pets, but we were hoping for a few more years with our little buddy. We will miss him.

Toopie

8 comments:

Guffaw in AZ said...: So sorry for your loss.
gfa; July 17, 2011 at 10:31 PM
KurtP said...: So sorry to hear that.

They do grow on you, don't they?; July 17, 2011 at 10:59 PM
David aka True Blue Sam said...: He was a sweetie. He would do anything for a doggie treat, and he was always ready to go for a ride.; July 17, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Borepatch said...: I'm sorry for this, Sam. They're here with us for such a short time.; July 18, 2011 at 8:47 AM
strandediniowa said...: Sorry to hear of your loss, Sam.

A dog's devotion is a great joy that far outlasts their time with us.; July 18, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Anonymous said...: He was fortunate to have found a life with you, and I think that, somehow, they know it. Both of my critters were brought out of dire situations, and I swear I can see gratitude in those eyes. Every time I lose one, I vow I'll not go through it again, but then, all that's forgotten when the next one makes an appearance. They give so much and require so little. My condolences to you and the True Blue clan. -gsc1039; July 19, 2011 at 12:54 AM
David aka True Blue Sam said...: Many thanks for the kind thoughts.; July 19, 2011 at 7:02 AM
Beaumont said...: My condolences. Dogs are not just "like family" -- they ARE family.; July 25, 2011 at 8:39 PM

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Rules To Live By

Firearms; Col. Jeff Cooper's Rules
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4. Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it.

Knives
1. Never cut toward yourself.
2. Always cut away from yourself.
3. Never cut yourself.

AND
If you drop a knife or gun, let it fall!

Chainsaws

1. Always wear your safety gear when running your saw: hard hat, eye, face, hearing protection, cut resistant protection for your legs, heavy boots, gloves (depending on work conditions).

2. Safety devices on the saw must be in working order: front hand guard,chain brake, chain catcher, throttle lockout, and right hand guard.

3. Hold the saw on the ground or lock it between your knees for starting. No 'Drop Starts.' Set the chain brake before cranking.

4. The engine must idle reliably without turning the chain.

5. The chain must be sharpened properly, including properly set depth gauges.

6. The chain must be adjusted to remove slack and still run freely.

7. The operator must understand the forces on different parts of the bar as the saw runs: push, pull, kickback and attack.

8. Both hands must always be on the saw when the chain is running. The thumbs must be wrapped around the handles. Both feet should be firmly planted on the ground.

9. The operator must always know where the end of the bar is, and what it's doing.

10. Don't let the upper (kickback) corner of the bar contact anything when the chain is running unless the tip has been buried with the lower corner.

11. Let off of the throttle before pulling out of a pinch on the top part of the bar.

12. Make a plan for every tree you cut. Assess hazards, lean, escape routes, forward cuts, and back cuts. Evaluate the forward or backward lean, and the side lean of every tree you cut. Know your limits.

13. Clear your work area and your escape path of brush, vines, and other hazards that can trip you or catch your saw.

14. Escape from the bullseye when the tree tips. 90% of accidents happen within 12 feet of the stump. Go more than 15 feet, and stay out of the bullseye until things stop falling.

15. Keep spectators away more than twice the height of the tree in the direction it will fall.

16. Don't cut alone.

17. Keep your body and the swamper's out of the line of the bar in case of a kickback.

18. Set the brake when taking over two steps or when moving through tripping hazards. Keep your trigger finger off of the throttle when you are moving.

19. DO NOT operate a chainsaw from a ladder! Operating with your feet off the ground requires special training.

20. Do not cut above your shoulders.

21. Springpoles must be shaved on the inside of the apex between the ascending and descending sides. If the apex is higher than you shoulders, stand under the springpole and cut it low on the descending side. It will release upward, away from you.Leaning and heavily loaded poles that are too small to bore cut for a hinge should be shaved on the compressed side until they fold.

22. Do not cut a tree that is holding up a lodged tree. Do not work under a lodged tree. Think about a mouse trying to steal the cheese out of a trap.

23. Instruct your swampers and helpers to NEVER approach you from behind or the sides to within the reach of your saw when you are cutting. If you pull out of a cut with the chain running, or have a severe kickback, the swamper can be killed if he is coming up behind you!

24!! Quit When You Are Tired!

25!! Pause and review; reflect, when you are being pushed. You may be pushed into danger. Do not let pressure cause you to ignore safety rules!

Cutting dead and rotten trees is something I have had lots of practice doing, and it always comes down to basics and following the rules. Build a good hinge, even if there is just a thin shell to work with. Support the back side of the hinge with wedges if the tree is punky or hollow. Don't fight side lean or back lean. Release it quickly and get away from the stump. Tell your co-workers what your steps are before you crank your saw. You will live long.

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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Rest In Peace, Toopie

8 comments:

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