Today is a very special day for me:

• 2 days until a Staff Christmas Party
• 3 days until my 6 Grandchildren are here for our "Annual Christmas Party" - sounds like it is going to include a sleep over!
• 4 more work days before retirement, and I'm ready! I am looking forward to living the life of a "kept woman"after 33 years of full time work.

Sunday past 2 of the Grandchildren came by and decorated the Christmas Tree and several rooms in the house after church. Man, I have decorations in places I never had decorations before and lots of ornaments at the bottom of the tree. The kids were happy, they had lots of fun being in charge of decorating. Our visitors over the Christmas Season will be family and close firends who will share in our joy and celebration of the Christmas Season. Many will be envious of our status of "Grandparents" and look forward to the day when they can have their decorating done by "The Hands Of Angels"

Monday this week was the start of training my temporary replacement; John is a full time paramedic with our serive who has recently accepted the newly formed position of "Service Area Lead" for one of my 2 service areas. He later took the temporary position of "Acting Field Manager" until a permanent replacement is found which they hope to be in place by mid January. John is doing a great job - he is taking lots of notes and asking lots of questions. I am convinced he will adequately fill the position in the interim he also has great medics and administration staff to rely on for advise and support when needed.

This week is flying by quickly so 'till next time..Bye for now,

Anne

"BOO" The Hallowe'en Cat

This is what "Boo" looked like when we first met her on October 31st, Hallowe'en Night 2007

Two of my Grandchildren were out for trick or treat (accompanied by their parents), when they came across this beautiful stray kitten. A child had seen a man let 2 kittens out of his car earlier in the evening, one was soon picked up and taken away by another child, - this one found a residence close by and every time the door opened to another trick or treator she ran inside only to be put back out when that trick or treator left. Our Grandchildren felt sorry for this little creature and asked if they could take her home, their parents agreed that she would be a great addition to their already 2 cat family. Little did they all know how she would weave herself into their hearts.

When they got Boo home (what other name would you choose for a cat found and rescued on Hallowe'en Night?)they realized there was something wrong with her ears, an appointment was soon made with a veterinarian in a neighbouring community who told them her ears had been frozen. How could that be? The weather hasn't been more that -1, maybe -2! The Vet informed them that the kitten was so malnourished and dehydrated she could not keep her whole body warm during the colder temperatures. When the temperature dropped her existing blood and body fluids went to her body's core keeping vital organs alive - therefore not leaving enough in her outer body to keep her ears warm - thus causing them to freeze.

Six weeks have passed and BOO's frozen ear tips have finally fallen off. The process was very painful for her, she wanted to play with the kids and be a kitten - do the things a normal kitten does but her ears hurt too much. She would lay on her blanket in the garage away from everyone so no one or anything would accidently touch her sore ears.

This is a picture taken of "Boo" December 9th, she is so much happier now. She chases a ball around the house and plays as any normal kitten does. The kids love her - what Boo wants Boo gets.

This is a story of mixed emotions but one with a happy ending thus far, Boo has settled in and gets along well with the other 2 cats - Misty and Minew - one big happy family! The kids have learned about cruelty to animals and how important it is to love and properly care for them.