Dead Butt

Dead Butt is a syndrome (DBS) also called Gluteal Amnesia, which can be a literal pain in the butt.  This Syndrome develops when the gluteals stop working the way they should. This can happen if you spend too much time sitting in a chair, on the couch, or in your car. 

Michigan Medicine specialist Kevin Joy says the condition of gluteal amnesia, means that the muscles of a person's rear end forget how to do their job — namely stabilizing the pelvis and affecting the body's alignment — because of inactivity.

Kristen Schuyten, D.P.T., a physical therapy clinical specialist says "It (dead butt syndrome) can be prevented: A simple way to get your buns moving? Set a timer on your phone.  Every hour, get up and walk around or go up and down a flight of stairs.  People who are desk- or car-bound during the day should do regular glute squeezes and hamstring stretches while seated.  Those simple steps help to lengthen tight areas, stimulate blood flow to warm up the tissues, and wake up a "dead butt."

The August/September AARP magizine had an article about 'Sitting Disease," the term used to link 34 chronic conditions that are commonly associated with lack of activity, or excess sitting.  "For seniors in particular, sitting disease can be an issue due to some of the physical effects of aging which can make it more difficult to stay active." 

Sitting too long at work or at home lays the groundwork for many other health risks - depression, poor dietary habits and cardiovascular disease among them.  I'm guessing 'Dead Butt' is one of the conditions associated with Sitting Disease.  All this non-movement for hours at a time has been linked to health issues like diabetes, cognitive decline, physical disabilities, certain cancers, and even a shorter life expectancy!  What are the symptoms of sitting disease?  They include obesity and a cluster of conditions - increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels.  Harvard Medical School found that too much sitting is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and premature death. 

Sorry, but the PE major in me wants to educate you all.  Dead Butt / Sitting Disease has an antidote: movement.  Nothing so profoundly impacts our health and staves off the ill effects of static sitting than moving.  Every time you stand up and do something, you’re taking a step in the right direction.   

In the AARP article, Keith Diaz, associate professor of behavioral medicine at Columbia University, said just one bout of exercise for 30 to 60 minutes a day is not the solution.  For ideal health we need to move through our day.  Barry Franklin from a university hospital in Michigan tells patients that even one to two minutes of movement every hour throughout the day has a big impact.  It’s not that hard to fit in fitness.

Saturday 9/28 -  Patty did morning chores for me because we had swapped.  So I put in a lot of effort into getting last weeks blog done.  I was still two days short of finishing by the time I needed to get a move on.  I do get up every hour to do one task or another, even if it's just getting food and drink, or going to the bathroom, or giving the cats attention.  

During one 'get up and move' episode, I went down to the creek to check it out.  More of the trunks of the dead trees on the hill had fallen down because of the strong winds we'd had. 

Babe getting her exercise.  None of the cats are real sure about coming into the office now that I have Stevie locked in here.  And I have to get up and let them in, or back out on a regular basis.  And when they are in, I have to hide Stevie's food, which they seem to want to eat, a lot more than she does. 

Stevie has been craving a lot of attention, so I comply, even if it does slow down my computer progress.

I quit work here at my computer, to give me ample time at the gym.  I actually had a very good workout upping my weights and keeping my reps at 10 to 20 depending on the exercise. 





I met Betty and Joanne at the ranch and they shadowed me as I did evening chores so that they can start learning how to do that.  We also ran some hay up to the upper paddock for when Dorado comes on Monday. 





I had Betty drive the gator back down to the shop.

I hit Food City on the way home so enjoyed rice and chicken (carry out) for dinner.  Joe was in Cincinnati for the weekend.  The evening had some rain off and on, making dog walks more of a chore, but at least I was up and moving.

Sunday 9/29 - Shirley wasn’t feeling up to church, so I stayed home as well.  It was another cold, damp, rainy day.  I finally got last weeks blog finished and posted. 


I had to bring the space heater out of storage and get it going to help heat the 'sun room' since there was no sun to warm it up. 





Stevie was sticking to her warm, snugly bed when she wasn't on my lap.  However, she has started up with the diarrhea again, and dripping some, so I am again beside myself with what to do. 

I sent a long text message (using English to Spanish translator) to Juanca, including Britney and Joe on the message.  Then I worked on the puzzle while talking on the phone.  It's moving along a little faster now.

Karen invited Patty and I for dinner so after Patty showed Betty and Joanne chores we met at Karen’s.





This is Karen's cat Peanut, who really likes me. 
Most of our conversation revolved around Wildwood and the displaced boarders and what could be done.  I did take the opportunity to get some ideas from them about some concerns with our own boarding operation at Mountain View Ranch.  One worry was about the liabilities with either of Brook and Nick's daughters getting hurt.

Monday 9/30 - At the end of last week, Hurricane Helene brought wind, rain, and much cooler temperatures.  Now, as September comes to an end, not only does it feel and look like fall with leaves coming down in droves, I have noticed the days are getting much shorter (both morning and night). 
I caught this Blue Heron fishing when I arrived at the ranch at 7:30. 





I put the horses out on the front pasture and noticed how wet their run-in shed had gotten.  Then I went up to care for the chickens, roll up the hose we didn't need, and pick up some big limbs from the yard.  

I got word from Betty that she was bringing Dorado early because her trail ride had been cancelled.  So I checked to be sure the paddock was ready for him.  And then I realized I put the horses in the wrong field.  They need to be away from Dorado. 

    
I went down to the barn to get a halter and lead rope and then back up to the top of the pasture where the horses were.  I led Amiga down into the paddock and Zorro came running when I called and he saw me put hay out for her.  I had to make two more trips to get Banner and then Cowboy.  No dead butt for me today. 




Once all four horses were in the paddock, I opened the gate to the back pasture, and out they went.

I mucked the paddock and then picked up more sticks in the yard waiting on Betty. 







She parked her trailer up by the garage and soon unloaded Dorado.  Bonnie and Susan were just coming up the drive and stopped to meet Dorado. 

We walked with Betty and her horse to the paddock and once she had him situated, she gave us a tour of her trailer. 











I checked on Dorado before heading home, and he seemed to be settling in quite nicely. 

Once home I had lunch, got some things done at my computer while digesting, and then went to the gym.  It poured twice (un-predicted rain) while I was there.  I had a good workout but went overtime cause I stopped to talk with too many people, all asking about Wildwood Stables. 

Betty was at the ranch when Karen and Patty got there to do chores.  She took and sent these photos to let me know Dorado was doing well. 

What a nice photo she got of Patty and the rainbow in the background. 





And here is of one Dorado with the rainbow, and Betty's l-o-n-g shadow.

I showered at home because the gym was closing minutes after I finished my workout.  After pet and household chores, and dinner, Joe and I watched Survivor. 

With it getting dark so early, I have been going to bed even earlier than usual.  I've had such little time to read lately, I had to renew my James Patterson (hardback) book today and am only on page 38.  Scheesh.

Tuesday 10/1 - I got a kick out of Sharon Penney's post:
A friendly reminder to all husbands and kids out there as we enter the fall and winter seasons: These are called decorative towels. The key word here is DECORATIVE. Just completely disregard the word towel.  Their sole purpose is to be purposeless and pretty. That’s it. If you use these to dry off your disgusting hands after being out in the garage, dry dishes, or wipe the counters with them, your wife will likely get a little twitchy and a bit dysfunctional over it. THESE ARE DECORATIONS. You’ve been warned. Don’t do It! 

Stevie seems so happy to be inside, but still acts cold most of the time.  She has also been very clingy when I am here at my desk.  I'm really not sure if the new diet and medication is helping.  Stevie has been cleaning her ears and face after I put the steroid cream in her ears, and then she throws up.  I called the vet and was told to put it down inside her ear and then massage the ears.  The pharmacist had said to put it on the ear flaps and rub it in.  Today's treatment went much better and she didn't try cleaning her ears nor did she throw up.

I only took two photos today (of Stevie and the horses), so these next ones are what I got off of this (video).

Betty and I were waiting on the weather to go for a ride.  It was mostly cloudy and threatened to rain all morning.  So I started this blog, did some desk work, and then worked puzzles on my computer, something I haven't done in several weeks.  But I sat too long. 




Banner tends to be off on his own or straggle when coming in for dinner, so often it is just the three 'Amigos' together.  They aren't inseparable, but are buddies and do keep an eye out for each other usually.  We just need to be on guard for them getting too buddy sour. 









I like that they weren't racing in for dinner, especially since the paddock was still quite muddy.

This is the second photo I took today.  Banner got the dirtiest horse award this time.

I had met Betty at the ranch at 1:30 and we were still undecided about going for a ride, until it started raining, and that sealed the deal.  We would wait until tomorrow.  So we walked the woodland trail and cleared it of downed sticks and branches.  When we emerged from the woods 90 minutes later, the sun was out, but it was chore time. 

Stevie soiled my PJ's, sitting on my lap, while I was here at day's end.  Ugh.  I feel bad for us both.

Wednesday 10/2 - Azaleas out at the ranch.  After the drought and drop in temperature, and now with the moisture and warmth, several flowering trees, shrubs, and wildflowers are blooming.  They are quite confused.

While here at my computer from 4-10am (getting up multiple times to keep moving), I noticed Stevie was not feeling well.  She seemed uncomfortable, and made several trips to the litter box.  I think her quality of life stinks and the inevitable (euthanasia) is eminent. 

I was at the gym for 2½ hours, feeling good about my increase in weights, as I work up to my former weight program.

I hustled home, grabbed a pbj, and met Betty at the ranch.  I had to walk way out in the back pasture to collect Amiga.  Soon I was up on her back, my first ride in almost ten weeks, and her first time out in that long also.  


Betty and Dorado saying hi to Bonnie and Susan. 


We rode out through the back gate and stayed on dirt/gravel roads, and held the pace at a walk for Amiga's sake.  She did great.

We took our woodland trail home, and at this spot, one of Dorado's trail boots broke.  I wasn't much help because I was bareback, so Betty retrieved the boot.  Dorado did fantastic, ground ties well, and can do a tight turn on the trail.  And he always stayed as calm as could be.  Back at the barn, Betty's trail app. showed we had gone three miles.  Amiga held up quite well, but was a tad sore by the end.

I started in on chores and Betty took Dorado up to his paddock and let him out on the side pasture.  When I was finishing up chores at the chicken coop, I checked on him, and he seemed quite happy.

Later Betty sent me a video of Dorado rolling and splashing in the pond.  He was happy to be able to cool off.  Notice the duck in the second photo I had taken from Betty's video. 














Joe, Karen and I were taking Patty to dinner, for her birthday, so I hustled home to clean up and go.  Our conversation revolved around Wildwood Stables and also ranch business decisions.

Thursday 10/3 - I was up at 3am.  Within the time frame of just over an hour, Stevie had drank twice, thrown up twice, ate once, used the litter box four times, and soiled the blanket on my lap that she was laying on.  She had also cried (more like a screechy howl or shriek) three different times.  Here she is finally resting peacefully for a bit. 








I had kept the other three cats out of my hangout (office/sun room/cattery) so they wouldn't eat Stevie's food.  In this photo, Mama Styx was feeling a bit 'put out.'   

Yesterday I had pretty much decided to 'put Stevie down' but then she seemed so perky and happy at dinner time.  But this morning's episode made me realize my decision to euthanize her as soon as possible, was the right choice.  I called the vet office when they opened at 8am.

I was hoping to get Stevie in before the weekend, but was prepared to keep on caring for her until Monday.  So when the vet said bring her at 10am, I was happy/sad/scared all at the same time.  My heart rate went up and I started stressing about the whole process.

I was trying to finish preparations for my afternoon ranch/boarder's meeting but couldn't focus.  I did run to the Conference Center to have copies made. 

The picture below was on the wall of the exam room where I went with Stevie.  It made me smile, although Stevie is more of a tan tabby.  The vet gave Stevie a sedative and she eventually fell asleep in my arms.

I had made this decision, and knew it was for the best, but dang when it came right down to doing it, it was really hard.  I held Stevie and cried and told her I was sorry, but that she was no longer going to be suffering.  Although Stevie didn't know Maya (she was her replacement) I envisioned them together and hoped to one day see them and all my fur babies again. 

Photos of Stevie the day (2/15/2015) and week I brought her home.  Maya died early in January, so it's been awhile since I've had a pet die.




Anyway, for the past 9¾ years, I (and many of us) have enjoyed Stevie doing many of these same things, with most of these same toys and furnishings.  

After 15 minutes in the vet office with Stevie, when she was in a deep slumber, the vet tech came in and took her, and I went to my car to continue crying.  About ten minutes later the vet tech brought the cat carrier (with my dead cat) out to the car.  I did not want to see her dead, so didn't look.  I wanted my last memory of Stevie, to be of her sleeping peacefully. 





Once home, Joe removed Stevie from the carrier and buried her for me.  Her place of rest is under this little cedar tree transplanted here, and she will give life and nutrients to it.

To ease my grief and take my mind off Stevie, I started cleaning in the cattery where she had soiled so many things with vomit or liquid feces.  I put a load of cat, dog, and couch blankets into the washer and got it going. 




I scrubbed out the litter box with strong soap and water and set it in the sun to dry.  When I moved the wash to the drier, I heard and then saw Monita between it and the wall.  She was hissing and growling and stayed back here all day, only coming out to eat dinner. 

She and Stevie had been buddies, while Styx and Babe play and do some social grooming with each other.  I wondered if Monita sensed Stevie's absence and even death.  She was well aware of her being sick and most of the time did not want to be with her anymore.

I got Monita in August of 2017.  I thought Stevie would like a friend, even though she had Maggie.  Monita was a sick little kitten so I quarantined her for almost the whole month, but here she is, seeing Stevie for a first. 











Once out of quarantine mid September, Monita constantly pestered Stevie, who would bop her on the head and later wrestle with her. 



Soon Stevie took on the 'mother cat' role and would groom Monita, although they still played fairly roughly. 








It was kind of a love/hate relationship.  But isn't that the way it is with many cats? 




As Monita mellowed with age, they then spent a lot of time napping together. 










And on colder days, they would even snuggle.

I needed a break from house cleaning so went out to the ranch at 1:30.  Joe had agreed to come help with some little jobs.  First we moved Wanda's feed station to get it out of reach of neighborhood dogs that have been seen in and around the barn.  Then we worked at putting T-post covers on all of Jem's fence posts.  

Once it was time for the boarders meeting, the eight of us gathered in the house and I went through everything (liability waivers, additional barn rules, new feed instructions for Dorado, and we worked on the coop schedule. 

For some reason the house felt empty without Stevie.  Well, poker Joe was gone and Monita was still in hiding.  I had an intestinal flair up so went to bed early with a belly ache.

Friday 4/4 -  When I sat down here at my computer at 4:30am, I felt the sense of loss.  I ended up being a dead butt all morning (until noon!) and yep, my butt went numb a few times.  I spent a lot of time looking through photos of Stevie, crying, mourning, and writing yesterday's and this morning's post.  I am so thankful for the time I've had to enjoy Stevie.  I know I gave her a great home and she knew she was loved.  This grieving process is a small price to pay for all the love, joy, happiness, fun and laughter, that cat brought to my life. 


Stevie meets Maggie May 4th 2015, the day we brought this rescue puppy home.



Stevie was the one who taught Maggie to be so tolerant and loving towards cats.  Just look at the two together.







Stevie always kept Maggie in her place. 






Maggie learned not to play with (destroy) cat toys, but was reluctant to share her toys. 









Sharing her bed was a tough pill to swallow. 





Stevie sharing (sort of) her tent with Maggie. 

Stevie - you can sit near me if I can bop you in the face. 

Hide and seek was always a fun game.
  

But big time wrestling was their favorite. 









Maggie quickly learned from Stevie, not to play too rough...

...even though Stevie could get quite mean. 

There was never a dull moment with these two. 











And there were even times of rest.

moments of closeness.

some tender times

and some snuggle times. 

 









I miss this girl more than I thought imaginable. 

Stevie in her favorite bed three weeks ago. 
 

I definitely was not a dead butt all afternoon.  From 12 to 7pm I worked on cleaning EVERYTHING.  The cats were still closed out of my hangout because I wanted to get all of it cleaned out really well to remove any germs (if any) and all of the sick cat smells.  I wanted them to return to it in a calm, harmonious, tranquil way. 
I did two loads of laundry, cleaned a second litter box, I combed and dusted to collect lots of cat hair on cat towers and furniture, I swept and vacuumed, washed all the hard surfaces and even cleaned windows.

Things were hung up or put in the sun to dry and air out.  As I was working, I kept visualizing Stevie in various spots.  Putting the cover back on her bed after it had been washed was probably the hardest thing because it was her favorite bed.  It has a hairy fabric that Stevie loved to suck on while kneading it.  From the day I got her, Stevie would suck on something soft while kneading it. 

My hangout (office/sun room/cattery) was a mess, but by 7:00 I had it all put back together.  Then I ate dinner while watching Survivor with Joe. 

Sorry, this post got so long, but really it’s for me, and is my way of bringing closure to the ending of Stevie’s life here on earth.  Gosh, I miss her terribly even though I have three other cats to keep me company.  They’re all so different, but Stevie was special.  I also realize, my loss is nothing compared to that of all the many thousands of people who lost family, friends, pets, livestock, homes, barns etc. because of hurricane Helene.  But it doesn't make my loss any less painful or significant.  

Well, this blog post was intended to get you up and moving.  Now that you’ve finished getting through all of it, get up and walk around for just two minutes.  It could add years to your life.