The Reesie Report - Rome

I wish this could be a more upbeat report but we've just returned from taking Reese to the Emergency Veterinary Clinic near the house. We've left him there for some tests and observation and the best we can do is be optimistic.

He had some problems settling in, as did we all, but seemed to be coming along. He had claimed one of the gardens as his own and was vocal in challenging anyone who came into it - though the challenge was always only vocal. He was happy with his bed in our bedroom and his kennel in the kitchen hallway and loved sitting on the balcony. Within the first month he had to have some major dental things done and an ear infection seen to but he was getting more exercise than in Aylmer and seemed the better for it.

A few weeks ago he started having some incontinence problems and the accidents were quite frequent - much to his embarrassment as that is something he has very rarely done in the past 14 years. Then last week his old skin infection came back and he developed a series of infected cysts on the back of his head . When the Vet removed them on Thursday Laurent and I both were almost sick to our stomachs, both from what we saw and the pain it caused our poor Reese. The Vet gave us a silver solution to spray on the infection and on the lesions from the cysts and things seemed to be better.

When we got home yesterday from an excursion to the Etruscan Necropolis at Cerveteri della Banditaccia I noticed that he had licked one of the areas clean of the solution. I was a little concerned as it was clearly marked "For External Use Only" and even more so when he started behaving strangely. He was refusing to eat, pawing at his nose continually, drinking excessive amounts of water and stumbling when he walked or just refused to get up. I was concerned that I had poisoned him but we decided to wait overnight and see.

He was restless throughout the night - wandered from his bed to his kennel and back several times. This morning he was having trouble balancing on his hind legs and at that point we decided a trip to the clinic was needed. So now we sit and wait!

We've been asking ourselves a few questions in the last hour or so - some that we have asked before:
Should we have subjected him to the trauma of the move at his age, after all he is 14. If we hadn't what would we have done with him? Give him away, have him put down (I don't bloody think so!)

The problems he's having he may well have had in Ottawa; he's had one major back operation and difficultly with walking ever since. Though he looks like a puppy he's an old dog - 90-odd in human years - is all this just a result of age and perhaps an immune system compromised by the stress of the move.

If he does lose control of his back legs what are we going to do? Back surgery at his age is not really an option, they do have little wheels for daschie's, or do we judge the degree and quality of life and make a decision from there?

Honestly I think the only choice is the later and to do all we can to make sure he doesn't suffer and make the best choice for our boy.

14 Ottobre - San Callisto I Papa

The Reese Report - Rome Edition

As previously reported Reesie arrived safe and sound, if with his ever so elegant nose a bit out of joint. He was – and occasionally still is - not happy with the state of his world.

The process of bring him into Italy was a complicated one, we had to:

• Have a microchip implanted.
• Have his rabies vaccination up-dated.
• Have our Vet complete – in block letters, blue ink only, no erasures or overwrites – an EU entry form.
• Have that form validated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (?) Vet, who did not like the way it was completed by our Vet and made us get another one.
• Have a Vet in Montreal do a final health check 24 hours before our departure.

And entry into Italy? Well the three customs officials were in the midst of a very serious conversation so they just waved us through! Ya gotta love EU bureaucracy and the Italian response to it!

But it’s been a hard two weeks for him – moving from place to place, boxes all over the place, strange people, strange smells and a complete change of routine. And suddenly at 14 he has to be re-trained to apartment living. Unusually for him there have been accidents and his embarrassment has been visible. But no matter where he goes, Reese is always resourceful at finding someplace to burrow – even if it’s just a pile of dirty laundry.

9 Agosto - ss. Fermo e Rustico

Finalmenti!!!

Sorry that I've been delayed with updates but we still don't have Internet at home - Italian bureaucracy is a wonder to behold! Example: We arrive with 7 bags, 1 kennel, 2 computers and a displeased dog - the baggage carts at the airport cost 1 Euro; Laurent has 1 Euro but we need another cart. The change machine is broken - and has been for three years I am told - and the Exchange counters are not authorized to give change for Euro bills only to exchange foreign currency! Welcome to Rome!

As to the displeased dog - Reese is still not a very happy puppy. Four homes in 1 week, boxes all over, strange people plus the journey in an elevator down three floors to pee do not make for happiness warm puppy or not. But like the rest of us I'm sure he'll adjust.

Aside from a few problems we have had a good week - the opera Friday night, dinner with our old friend Robert and a great group of people on Saturday, a Sunday afternoon spent at Villa Ada, Sunday dinner with our friend Betty Jean and Stephen and an extremely helpful group of people at the Embassy. And its Rome.

Will try and get a more detailed update going later in the week - have lots to show and tell. Take care all.

A Room with a View

We are spending our last few days in Canada in Montreal visiting Laurent's parents, family and a few old friends. Its been a confusing few days for Reesie - three homes in one week but he does have a proven way to cope! Maybe I should learn from him - there's been a few times this week when I would have loved to put my head in the sand and make the world go away.

We staying at the Omni Mount Royal - when it opened for the Olympics in 1976 it was Four Seasons and Laurent's father was the manager. The doorman recognized Laurent almost immediately - he really does look like his father. We have a nice room on the 28th floor with a great view of the McGill University ghetto and the Mountain and they accept pets. This was the area Bundnie, Reesie and I lived in, of and on, for five years back in the late '90s.

I was going to try and post more photos but time is running out - we have to get to the airport with six suitcases, 1 kennel, 2 computers, 2 briefcases and, most important, one dog for the the next chapter in our big move. Only 4 hours left before take-off. Arrivederci!

On the Move

I’m a little bit late with this post – I started it as we watched the movers manhandle our things into their truck.

Our lives all packed up

July 25 - Yesterday the packers where in and much of what we own was put into boxes for shipment or bubble wrapped for storage. It’s an odd feeling seeing you life being stored away and it also makes you very aware of how much stuff you accumulate over a life time. Correction – how much needless stuff you accumulate over a life time. Ideally much of the stuff could have been sold on E-bay (like the 1836 feathered mahogany armoire) or at the Great Glebe Garage Sale (all those damned vases and knick-knacks.) However time, events and indolence put an end to those sorts of plans.

Last night we moved to our friend Don’s – a bit of a shock for poor Reese who desperately kept trying to get back into the house as we were leaving. Last night was not the most comfortable one – and not because of being in what will be the first of a few strange beds over the next few days. Both of us tossed and turned – things going over in our mind – things done, things left undone. Even Reesie gave the odd bark during the night – very strange for him.

When I moved to Ottawa everything I owned fit in a passenger van!

The middle unit of the armoire starts its disastrous journey.

Today is the actually move out – so far one major incident involving the middle unit of the - wouldn't you know it - armoire. Other than that things seem to be going smoothly. Of course the unpacking in Rome will be the proof of how well things actually did.

All the furniture has gone into long-term storage however with books, cds, kitchen things, china, clothing et al we figure the shipment weighs in at around 2200 kilos (4840 lbs) give or take a few kilos. I really should have partied more and read and listen less.

Done Deal*

Well I guess we in for the long term now. On Saturday past, after a 29 year "engagement", Laurent and I were married in a brief ceremony at our friend Joelle's home. I had hoped to get the vow exchange on video but that new camera would not cooperate. Stephanie, my niece, did manage to capture the last few seconds of the ring exchange.




Its been a busy time - Laurent coming home, getting last minute things arranged for the house sale, preparing for the move, the marriage ceremony, a "goodbye" open house yesterday - so it may be a few days before I have a picture album up for all to see.

*Apparently there was a problem with the video but I think I have it fixed now.

Summer Storms

I know I only have 13 more working days left but I honestly feel like I'm being pushed out of the office. Some of the signals:

1. Friday I was almost bulldozed out of my cell - sorry cubicle, the one with the view of the Mall and Parliament Hill - and moved to a temporary position. To make way for one of the summer students!!!!
2. Tuesday I found out that I had no voice-mail access and it took the entire morning to set up my computer system.
3. Today I couldn't log onto one of the Confidential drives.
4. A staff meeting is scheduled for next week and I've been told attendance is optional.

Well at least no one is hanging around asking what's happening with my chair and stapler. Though come to think of it I can't find my stapler!

One advantage to my new - temporary - cell is that I have a view of the Ottawa River. When the temperature starts climbing into the high 30s you can pretty much guarantee that a thunderstorm will be brewing in the Valley. This one today was pretty spectacular - lots of lightening strikes, high winds and that rather strange - and worrisome - funnel like cloud formation. We didn't get a drop of rain downtown but the Québec side had a pretty wild time of it.

Tomorrow we're doing a River cruise - the weatherman promises no thunderstorms, no clouds and a break in the heat. It's a "team" building exercise, I'm invited so I guess I'm still part of the "team."

We'll Build a Highway to Paradise

The boys over at the Holy See must be thinking of me these days. Honestly! They heard I was a concerned about driving in Rome. Why else would they have come out with Guidlines for the Pastoral Care of the Road? I feel safer now, knowing how much attention Italians pay to Papal edicts.


And beside, they knew I was looking for an excuse to post a video of Rufus on the blog.

Et Tu? Reesie!

Rather than slap me against the side of the head - which I deserve for forgetting to mention it - in that sweet gentle southern manner of hers, lynette reminded me that I hadn't said anything about the most important man coming to Rome: Reese.

Yes the Reeser Man is coming with us, if he couldn't go I wouldn't go - simple as that.

In the way of special handling he has to:

• be mircochiped
• have up-to-date rabies shots
• be given a clean bill of health by a Canadian Vet

There is no quarantine requirement - that only applies to places like the UK, Australia, the Caribbean - so he can enter Italy with us. And friends at the Embassy have recommended a good vet to look after him once we're there.

Airlines no longer allow pets in the cabin - I can understand the reasons though I don't like it - so Reesie will be going as checked baggage. I've explain to him that its actually Canine Class and its a very special cabin all his own. Working with the airlines taught me that the last thing to do is give him a tranquillizer - those things have a stronger effect because of the altitude; more animals die of over-doses on flights than you'd think. The best thing to do - and no this isn't a fetish thing - is to put a pair of sock or underwear that you've worn in their kennel. The smell of someone they know comforts them.

This will be his second trip to Europe - and given his age probably his last. He's fairly well-travelled. He got us in Crystal Lake, Illinois when we lived in Chicago. We realize now that the kennel - though AKK registered - was a puppy mill and many of his health problems stem from over breding. Be that as it may he's still my best bud and one of the gentlest creatures on God's earth. He has been with us on moves back to Ottawa, down to Montreal (five times), over to Warsaw, back to Ottawa-Aylmer and now onward to Roma. He should have frequent flyer points.

Quo Vadis?

Well its been confirmed, much like St Peter we're vadising to Rome - though with no intention of being martyred. Mind you there are probably a few things there that could kill us: the pollution, the crazy drivers or the high cost of living.

My blog "momma" lynette (Big Ass Belle) has asked: What's with Rome? When are you going? Why are you going? What's the story? Such an enquiring mind!

When are you going?
Well that handy little countdown at the right says it all - I was going to include milliseconds but thought that was a bit of overkill.

What's the story?
For 25 of the 29 years we've been together Laurent's been in the Canadian Foreign Service (Diplomatic Corps.) He's been posted to Mexico City, Cairo, Chicago, Amman, Warsaw and currently Beijing. Until 1999 I remained - like Penelope at her loom - back in the old Patria. Then, after 33 years at Air Canada, I packed it in and joined him in Poland. At all the other posts I've was there as often as I could be - working for an airline helped a lot.

In 2001 we came back to Canada; I landed a job with the Federal Government; we bought a beautiful heritage home in a small town near Ottawa and settled into a fairly normal life. Then three years ago he was offered Beijing - we knew that I could not join him but decided that for various reasons we would live with it. Well we have lived with it - and haven't enjoyed it. We've decided enough is enough - time we started living together again.

Why Rome?
When posting request time came Laurent put in for three cities that we knew would not create any problems for us as a family; being the Foreign Service none of those choices where offered.

Instead they came up with:

New Delhi - Don't think so! Given the homophobic attitude in India I have a feeling our little family unit would be less than welcome.

Moscow - Strangely enough I would have had full diplomatic status - who would have thought? And we've never been to Russia and it could be fascinating. However cost of living, living conditions and security were major concerns.

Rome - Need I say this was the most appealing! We both love Italy and Laurent is sure that he was an Emperor in another life. Problem is that Italy does not recognize same-sex or common-law relationships for diplomatic status. There were various suggestions - including the time-honored tradition of me entering as a member of Laurent's household staff (yeah right!), my true station in life confirmed by the Italian Government.

Solution - I hold an Irish (EU) passport under dual-citizenship and that allows me to move pretty freely within the European Union. Mind you I've received three different versions of what to do when I enter Italy - the Mediterranean confusion starts already!

How long will we be there?
The normal post length depends on the country and the hardship level. As an example Beijing is normally two years while a place like Rome is four. So, if things go according to plan, we should be in Rome until summer of 2011.

Opera Chic's Milan

As well as her quirky and ultra-hawt postings on opera, Opera Chic (I'm a young American woman in Milan.... and you're not. I go to La Scala alot.... and you don't) has taken to giving us insights into her fabulous life in Milan... where we're sadly not!

Today (May 18th) she's highlighted a few of her favorite spots - other than La Scala... where we're sadly not! - in and around the Duomo. I can almost taste those marron glacé and damn it the minute we get settled in Rome I'm heading up north to do exactly that - and maybe, just maybe catch a performance at La Scala.

This Side Tiber - I :Words of Advise

Well we've started working on the move - so many things to do in the next few months: medicals, inventory, rewriting my CV for the international market, getting the house ready for sale, getting Reesie microchiped and the list goes on. August seems so far away but we really only have four months to get everything done. I will not panic! I will not panic! I will..........PANIC!!!!!

Of course once all the confusion of moving is over we will have the culture shock of adapting to a new way of living. And Laurent and I have to get use to living together again - its been three years except for the odd few weeks once every six months.

Our friends Betty Jean and Stephen will be leaving Rome just as we arrive - cowards, running off to Damascus just to get away from us. But Stephen sent on this little piece of advise:
There are a couple of things that you should be aware of - first, living in Rome is not at all like visiting Rome. It is a Mediterranean country - not at all European. If you put it on a par with Beirut, Damascus or Cairo, you will be OK. Simple things like an ADSL connection - think weeks, months, not days. And the daily shopping is a pain. The Italians put it this way - "the complete confusion is something not to be understood, merely appreciated."


PANIC!!!!!!

Stuff 2 - Recently Acquired - Though Not Really Needed

Last week I said that I had posted the George Carlin "Stuff" routine for a reason that would become clear “tomorrow.” Despite what that horrid little Annie and those kids at the Orphanage keep singing, sometimes Tomorrow is more than a day away!

Thing is I’m becoming obsessed with “stuff.” Mostly because I realized I have so damn much of it and I have to start going through it the next few weeks. Inventory - what goes with us, what goes into storage, what do we try and sell, what do we flog at the Great Glebe Garage Sale? There’s nothing like a move to move you to divest yourself of your worldly goods.

Knowing that a move was in the air months ago has not stopped me from buying more stuff. On our trip to Vietnam there were a few things I just had to have as souvenirs. Particularly as we hiked through the minority villages around Sapa (which reminds me I don’t think I ever shared the photos of Sapa – so by clicking here you can see a few - well actually 104 - of them.) The Red and Black Zho women were forever stopping us to offer embroidery, indigo-dyed shirts and colorful blankets and material. It was a game – a rather gentle amusing one – but they were persistent. I finally caved in and bought a wall hanging (?) a festive dress adornment for around a lady's neck? - not really sure. But the colors are vibrant and the design attractive. Of course where to hanging it becomes the issue – not much room what with the Venetian masks, the African masks, the Mexican masks, the Polish carvings, the Roberts prints of Egypt – anyone for a jumble sale?

Then, of course, our guide Tung just happened to take us to his Aunt’s shop – a wooden lean-to on one of the paths. It may surprise you to know that the lovely box to the right is carved from marble. I know very touristy and probably machine made but I really liked it so …. now where to put it and what to put in it?

The final Chaska is my favorite: I found this benign little Buddha at a stall in the market in Hoi An. Our guide offered only one piece of advice when I mentioned I wanted to buy a Buddha from Vietnam: Always look at the Buddha’s face – the face will tell you if this is the Buddha you should have. It will tell you if it wants you to have it. This peaceful little figure just cried out to be taken off the shelf. He will not be going to the Great Glebe Garage Sale.

Vespa... Vespas.. . Vespat... Vespanum????

A friend has suggested that the best way to get around Rome is to buy a Scooter! No desperate attempts to find a parking spot or fit down narrow streets lined with double parked cars. Just zipping around the Coliseum and down the Appian Way, the wind ruffling what's left of our hair.

This immediately conjured up visions of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday. Question is which one of us gets to play Audrey??

P.S. Oh God I suddenly remember those scooters in Vietnam!

Not Goodbye But Hello....

Need I say More