Dave & Teddy's Most Excellent Adventures 2012

[IGETAROUND]

Saw my surgeon today & had the stitches removed. No drainage at all in the past 3 days, and he said it wasn't red anymore at all, all good news. I start back with physical therapy tomorrow and he changed my return to work date back another couple weeks, so about the 14th I should be back to normal pretty much.

Its in the 80's and sunny here in the Cincy area, so after my Dr's visit, Teddy and I went cruising around. Its funny, how we go thru life making all these little decisions that we all make constantly, which lane to be in, where to stop, who to see and when, and how they seem totally eratic and inconsequential, but then, BAM, out of the blue, one of those little decisions changes everything about your day. I was actually thinking this very thought as Teddy and I were cruising down Interstate 71 heading for home, when I abruptly decided it was just too nice of a day to go home, and decided instead to take the next exit and head over to the park near the University of Cincinnati for a little game of fetch with Teddy. So we took our exit from the Interstate, with camera phones all around us in the cars following along our route trying to get a good pic of the Tedster do'n his thing.

We made it to the park and I pulled over on the side of the park road under a large shade tree so the Tedster had a little relief from the scorching sun. I hopped off the Spyder & proceeded to give Teddy some water so he could quench his thirst. Just as I was watering Teddy, a car half pulled over in front of us and stopped & the passenger window went down. I assumed I was going to see a camera phone pop out or a passenger wanting to see Teddy, but I didn't see anything, so I walked up to the window. And low & behold, this stop had little to nothing to do with Teddy or the Spyder. It was an older gentleman, guessing in his 70s or 80s all by himself and he was lost. He asked if I knew where the Cancer Hospital was? Well, around UC, there are about 7 hospitals in total, but none (at least to me) are known as just the "Cancer Hospital." As we talked, I told him he should probably put on his Emergency Flashers and he got a little flustered as he couldn't find the button, which concerned me. I asked, politely, "you don't know where your hazard lights are?" Thinking that their may be an issue with Alzhimers or something to that effect. Thats when he told me that it was a rental car and he didn't know it very well and that he was from Utah. Wow, along ways from home for him. I then helped look for the button, but couldn't readily find it either, so he just decided to pull up and over out of the road so cars could pass without issue. I then asked if he knew the proper name for the hospital, and he told me he was pretty sure it was the Jewish Cancer Hospital, OK, I can work with that. I went thru my head a bit, & realized that none of the hospitals around was Jewish & I couldn't recall where it was. I went & grabbed the GPS off of Teds Red Sled & returned to the mans passenger window with GPS in hand. I asked if he had a GPS which he then pulled out one from the console, but confinded he couldn't figure it out. So I did a quick search on mine & found that he was about 10 miles away from where he needed to be & that he'd have to get on the Interstate to get there, which in his condition (kinda feeble appearing, at least to me) concerned me a bit further. I found the address in Teds GPS and told him what it was as he tried entering it into his, but kept having issues. I then asked if he'd like me to input the address into his GPS for him, which he thanked me for. I inputted the info and all was set, but I could see the confusion in his eyes, just trying to figure out which way to start driving.

Then it hit me like a "TON O' BRICKS" If this was my Mom or Dad, what would I want a stranger to do, give them the info & send them on their way, hoping they made it, or would I want a total stranger to truly help in the best way they could? This was "THAT" reason I abruptly decided to take the exit off the Interstate at the last moment, so Teddy & I could help this lost soul. He explained that his wife was in the Jewish Hospital Cancer Center for treatment, all the way from Utah, and that he went out to get a bite to eat, but ended up getting lost and couldn't find his way back to the hospital. Once again, my heart sank, thinking of my own parents (who have both passed) and how anguished this man must truly be, and how lucky he was that he chose to ask Teddy & I for help. So many others, especially in a College area, would have taken advantage of him & possibly stole his GPS or robbed/mugged him, as its reported on the nightly news as a daily occurance in that area.

I explained to him that I was in no hurry myself & that Teddy & I was just going to the park to play, and that if he'd like, I could have him follow us to the hospital, which he quickly thanked me for. "No problem, let me just get geared back up & we'll be on our way, just make sure to keep up with us so you don't get lost." "No problem & thank you so much" replied the man. So off we went, all thru the college campus area & I'm sure after navigating it ourselves that he doubtfully would have been able to make it on his own. Once we got off the Interstate exit,and waiting for the light to change, with him directly behind us, I looked over at the car next to us. The lady driver, with a huge smile on her face, wound down her window, and out popped her camera phone. She said how Great she thought Teddy was & could hardly believe what she was seeing. She then asked if I wouldn't mind if she took Teddys pic, which I told her "sure, go ahead, everyone does." She said thanks, and that we had "just made her day" in that very brief 2 minutes of waiting on a street light to change. Once it changed, we were back on our mission of getting our follower reunited with his wife. A few more miles down the road, a few more turns, and we were pulling into the hospital parking lot. I went left & the gentleman went right into the parking garage, while happily honking his horn and waving his hand in appreciation out the car window at us. I didn't stop, but just kept going, leaving him at his destination & reunion with his wife.

Another day in the lyfe of a Spyder Ryde'n Pooch doing what he can to make the world a better place.

Dave You are truly a kindred spirit. Most people wouldn't have gone the extra mile to help that man. Can't imagine why he might be discombubulated with his spouse of how many years in the hospital with cancer!!! Thanks for being such a caring person; the world needs others like you

[CyncySpyder]

IMG_20120504_150216.jpgIMG_20120504_150223.jpgIMG_20120504_150150.jpgIMG_20120504_134314.jpgIMG_20120504_145811.jpg

[CyncySpyder]

20120505_163607.jpg20120505_163620.jpg20120505_163647.jpg20120505_165829.jpg20120505_170334.jpgIts a really nice seat, but taking away 2 inches of space from Teddys area for his carrier, just doesn't work

[Questions]

[QUOTE=CyncySpyder;448531]met up, by chance, with some other Spyder Ryders that Teddy & I had met last year at Maggie Valley & went with them to a biker rally at Quaker Steak & Lube in Milford Ohio & met up with even more Spyder Ryders
And I was overwhelmingly reminded why Teddy and I don't usually attend such rallys, as Teddy's pseudo-fame comes at a cost. I can't even begin to tell you how many pics of the lil guy were taken tonight & am so thankful that we had Kathy to help and try to escort us thru the throngs of onlookers, as we could hardly walk a few feet before we'd get stopped & another photo-op was requested. If we go again, I'm gonna take our camper & umbrella and just hang out there & ppl can just line up for pics[Joe & I had a great time with you & Teddy at QSL last week! I think the Bird on the Bike was pretty awesome too! Just wish we'd gotten Teddy's photo with the HUGE great dane in the custom made 3-wheel enclosed trike - maybe next time! LOLQSL May 1st So now we have birds riding.jpg]

[Joanie]

Man if I had all these cute young ladies coming up to my bike, I think Judy might just kick my a__ and put me in
time out. Enjoy it Dave it doesn't get any better than that dude.

I would assist Judy in kicking you _____!!!

[CyncySpyder]

Come to find out, I didn't have the NEW Comfort seat
The seat on Teds Red Sled with the tare in it was a year old & right at 25,000 miles
And was well worn in, you might say. Thats why when I measured on the new one, it seemed off.
After taking the new one back, and verifying with Aarron (Owner of Middletown Cycle)
Yup, it was a stock seat that I had the entire time

Got it back to my buddies garage, and we finally got the Utopia Backrest installed
So, I had to drive the Cougar for the past 2 days
And lets just say, as soon as we got everything done
Well, its almost midnight, and Teddy & I just got home from ryding about a hundred
Miles of Smiles

[zrc]

So today, Teddy had me take the seat off of his Red sled so we could take it up to Middletown Cycle and pick up our new one, seeing as our original had a big tear right where the center part meets up. It had been a few months since we had been up to visit, and everyone (Customers Included) loved seeing the lil guy again. I didn't realize how long it actually had been, but many of them noticed that the bob on the end of his tail was also red & they loved it. Even had a bone in the back office for the lil ham, such a lucky dog I made the mistake of allowing Teddy to go out and romp around in the grass and playing fetch, til something caught his nose and you woulda thought he was having an epileptic sezure as he just started floundering in the grass. At first, I thought he was just trying to cool down, since it was quite warm & sunny & in the 80s. But then I walked over to where he was rolling around, and realized he was rolling atop the left over skeleton of a dead mole OMG!!! YOU TALKING ABOUT STENTCH!!! I was seriously gagging & since we had to drive the car for the first time in over a year, I made his stink'n a** ryde all the way home in the back seat We just got finished with his second bath since we've been home & its now tollerable, but he'll need at least one more bath tomorrow before all the nasty smell is gone Why do dogs LOVE to roll around in smelly stuff? He did the same thing 2 weeks ago at our last meet n greet, rolling around in deer pee

I am late catching up with your posts Dave! I am astonished! Dogs roll in other animals pee, on dead things, and in other misc items to hide their scent. It is something in their DNA that tells them "If I am going to go hunting later, I dont need to smell like a dog, my prey might realize Im there." So, smell like the dead, the leavings that could be in the area, whatever they can other than actually smelling like a dog. It's what they do to make sure they can be stealthed in the wild. Regardless of training, domestication or other, their inbred years of evolution win out sometimes!

[SpyderLady]

So today, Teddy had me take the seat off of his Red sled so we could take it up to Middletown Cycle and pick up our new one, seeing as our original had a big tear right where the center part meets up. It had been a few months since we had been up to visit, and everyone (Customers Included) loved seeing the lil guy again. I didn't realize how long it actually had been, but many of them noticed that the bob on the end of his tail was also red & they loved it. Even had a bone in the back office for the lil ham, such a lucky dog I made the mistake of allowing Teddy to go out and romp around in the grass and playing fetch, til something caught his nose and you woulda thought he was having an epileptic sezure as he just started floundering in the grass. At first, I thought he was just trying to cool down, since it was quite warm & sunny & in the 80s. But then I walked over to where he was rolling around, and realized he was rolling atop the left over skeleton of a dead mole OMG!!! YOU TALKING ABOUT STENTCH!!! I was seriously gagging & since we had to drive the car for the first time in over a year, I made his stink'n a** ryde all the way home in the back seat We just got finished with his second bath since we've been home & its now tollerable, but he'll need at least one more bath tomorrow before all the nasty smell is gone Why do dogs LOVE to roll around in smelly stuff? He did the same thing 2 weeks ago at our last meet n greet, rolling around in deer pee

That is just too funny. My Yorkie likes to do the samething. Try using Tomato Juice to get rid of the smell. Seriously they use it for skunk smell and it works.

[CyncySpyder]

After two baths, with his medical shampoo & conditioner, he smelled ok, but you'd get a dead muskrat after smell So, I gave him one more bath this morning with his shampoo & conditioner, and I'm Happy to report No More Dead Muskrat Smell

He's back to his sweet smell'n self once again, and believe me, I'll be keep'n a Very Watchful Eye to make sure he doesn't roll in the dead stuff anytime soon

[IGETAROUND]

After two baths, with his medical shampoo & conditioner, he smelled ok, but you'd get a dead muskrat after smell So, I gave him one more bath this morning with his shampoo & conditioner, and I'm Happy to report No More Dead Muskrat Smell

He's back to his sweet smell'n self once again, and believe me, I'll be keep'n a Very Watchful Eye to make sure he doesn't roll in the dead stuff anytime soon

googling skunk smell removal and it will talk about using peroxide with your shampoo

[CyncySpyder]

IMG_20120502_134406.jpgIMG_20120502_124853.jpg20120505_202547.jpgMy incission is almost completely healed Dr's visit today was all postive & I even helped my buddy do some light yard work yesterday with no ill effects to speak of Still taking it easy for the most part, continuing PT daily on my own & with my therapist twice a week. Everything on schedule for me to return to work on the 14th, which I'm actually look'n forward to

[MarkLawson]

Good news is like a morning sunrise... always welcome.

[pro10is]

Dave, you were in so much pain before the operation. Now that it's mostly over and you're healing well has the original pain gone? Are you happy with the results? - Jim

[CyncySpyder]

Dave, you were in so much pain before the operation. Now that it's mostly over and you're healing well has the original pain gone? Are you happy with the results? - Jim

Before this whole experience, I never had back issues, even tho I grew up the fat kid & probably should have. I honestly didn't think my original issue was back related, as my back felt fine, but it was my left butt-cheek & leg that was causing the excruciating pain. Come to find out thru the MRI, it was a ruptured L5-S1 disc that was inpinging on my sciatic nerve in my left butt-cheek that was causing ALL my pain. As soon as my surgery was complete, and I awoke from sedation, that pain was totally gone, I mean it was immediate. prior to surgery, it felt as if someone was taking an Ice Pic and shoving it in and twisting it around, so it was easy to tell if it had worked or not. The pain I've been dealing with since the surgery is all associated with the actual incission thru my back to get to the disc & cut away the protruding part that had ruptured out. I was worried prior to surgery, cause just about anyone that I had talked with that went thru back surgery, all had negative things to say. When I brought this up with my surgeon, he surprisingly agreed, that more often than not, depending on what is needed, their are complications that can last a lifetime, especially in situations where spinal fusion is needed. He reassured me, based on my MRI that I had the best chance of full recovery with no ill effects, based on which disc it was, being only one disc, and that the pain was actually being caused by the sciatic nerve being compressed & not from the spine itself. So yup, I have had a good experience so far, minus the infection & need for a folow up surgery, but I haven't noticed any numbness or tingling in my leg or foot, back doesn't hurt, minus a little tenderness at the incission still, but overall, so much better than before. I mean, I couldn't even walk standing straight, without holding pressure on my butt

[CyncySpyder]

IMG_20120507_131130.jpgIMG_20120507_131151.jpgIMG_20120508_145037.jpgIMG_20120508_145054.jpg20120508_171421.jpgWe were out for a ryde today & took a few pics along the Ohio riverfront where we are hosting a Special Guest, The American Queen, which is The Largest Paddle Wheel RiverBoat in the Country and is docked at the Cincinnati Public Landing, what a huge and beautiful ship On our way home, I noticed Teds Red Sled clicked right over 25,000 miles in 56 Wonderful Weeks of ryding We had 13,700 miles on our previous 2010 RT-S, so altogether, we've got a little over 38,700 miles of Smiles of Spyder Experience, with Teddy logging close to 30,000 miles of making people We are truly blessed and are so glad to share many of our experiences with ALL of YOU

[CyncySpyder]

20120508_203706.jpg20120508_203730.jpg20120508_203758.jpg20120508_205443.jpg20120508_205501.jpg

[CyncySpyder]

So, a month or so back, a fellow Spyder Owner had to sell his beloved Spyder, and Teddy & I were lucky enough to "Inherit" his very unique Spyder Lift and Uni-trailer that he had built for his Spyder. They have been sitting untouched in Teddy's garage ever since he dropped them off for us when he delivered his RT-Limited to its new owner in Central Ohio. With my back getting better, I've started to clear out the garage a little, since I have to remove a couple Metro-Shelves to get the Spyder Lift mounted to the front wall. Well, I started this process yesterday and didn't get very far at all, just so dang emotionally draining. I think I need to give a little backstory here for you to understand better.

Back in 2000, I was recently divorced, living in Florida & caring for my elderly/ill mother. I knew that my moms time with us was quickly coming to an end, and I asked if she thought it best that we move back to Northern Kentucky (where we're originally from) so that when she passed, it would be in the presence of all of her remaining family, as all my brothers and sister live here in the Tri-State area. She agreed & we moved back to KY & thats when I was offered the job at Ford Motor Company. My mothers health held out for a couple of more years before she decided the life she was living, was no longer WORTH living, and she refused to continue her Dialysis treatments 3X/week. My heart sank, but I understood her decision, as I could see & feel the pain she had to deal from numerous medical conditions on a daily basis. Dec. 22 2002 I did as she requested me to do, and helped to end her pain here in this life. Needless to say, I was crushed & lost for the next 6 months, I can't recall anything from that time at all.

Forward 2 years, & I was living in an 1893 house in Mainstrasse Village in Covington Kentucky, & had the upper two floors consisting of 2 bedrooms and a roof-top deck with a view of the Cincinnati Riverfront, and had a neighbor that lived on the lower level of the two family house. We were both renting our apartments, as I had requested to buy the house from the owner numerous times, but he wouldn't sell. On Feb. 8th 2007, my neighbors apartment on the lower lever caught fire around 4:30 in the morning, from an electrical short in the wiring inside the wall behind his bed. He got out & quickly allerted me to the situation and told me to get out as well. I grabbed my pet chinchilla (Louie, named after my mom Louise) and put him in a waste paper basket with a towel over it & I frantically tried to find my cat, Skooter, but couldn't find him anywhere. So there I stood, outside in nothing but socks, boxers & a hoody, all awhile, thick snow flakes were falling all around us on the last snowfall of that season.

I ended up loosing just about everything I had in that fire besides what I was wearing, my Chinchilla Louie & luckily Skooter had lived through the fire. What wasn't destroyed by the fire, was heavily damaged from the thick, heavy smoke and then, from the water to extinguish the fire. It got so hot inside, that the paint on the walls actually bubbled & boild off for the most part. Some stuff of my mothers (some of mine also) that I had stored in the basement after her passing was still there, and the plastic containers kept them safe for the most part from the smoke and water. After the fire, I lived with my brother & stored what was thought salvageable in his basement for about 6 months while I looked for a new place to live, and now, all of these containers are lining Teddys garage here at our new condo along the river. These containers I haven't opened or even looked in since the fire happend and as I started going thru them yesterday, it was like opening an emotional time-vault, where your life at that very moment was caught in time. Wow, how very different my life is today, compared to 4 years ago, or 6 years ago when I helped my mom to pass.

I'm going to make another go at it today, and see if I can make some more progress. Just kind of a hard time, as my moms birthday was May the 8th, and mothers day is right around the corner, I miss her every day so much. But know that she is no longer suffering & pray that she's in a better place.

[boomerkc]

Dave, thoughts and prayers with you and Teddy. If you're passing through Kansas City (Overland Park) on your way to Durango, drop me a PM or email and I'll send you my cell phone #. Would enjoy meeting Teddy (and you too).

Jim

[CyncySpyder]

Dave, thoughts and prayers with you and Teddy. If you're passing through Kansas City (Overland Park) on your way to Durango, drop me a PM or email and I'll send you my cell phone #. Would enjoy meeting Teddy (and you too).Jim

Hey Jim, really appreciate the kind thoughts and prayers & if Teddy & I can make the Durango trip, I'll deffinately let you know. Right now tho, it honestly doesn't look like we'll be able to make any of the rallys this year, just financially NOT in the cards with being off work for the past 3 months. When I start back to work next Tuesday, I'll get a better feel how things will pan out, but it just doesn't look promising for this year. The dept. I'm in doesn't usually get overtime & before I left on medical leave, we weren't even getting 40/hrs/week, so that just makes the financial situation even worse. But I'm keeping a positive attitude & hoping for the BEST. Missing SpyderFest was crushing for us & if we have to miss the Owners Event & SITA, well that would just add insult to injury

[boomerkc]

Dave, it's only a little group meeting. Don't worry about it. Next year will be bigger and better, because you and Teddy will be there. Look forward to meeting you guys whenever it happens. Keep the faith (like you always do) and let Teddy strut his stuff in the Cincy/Covington area. Hope to get back there, meet and visit you guys and enjoy the view from your vantage point. Give Teddy a scratch for me.

[CyncySpyder]

Since Sunday is Mothers Day & a 40% chance of rain, we'll meet tomorrow Saturday the 12th at 1pm at the OverLook at Eden Park and head out on a nice ryde through the twisties along the Ohio river thru some great country roads lined with many miles of beautiful farm land and ranches. Anyone and everyone is invited to ryde along. I know Jesse said he'll be along with Teddy & I for the ryde. Not much in Rabbit Hash besides the General Store but its known as a local bikers dream, as the roads getting there make for an Awesome Ryde. There will be pulled pork, burgers & ribs at the local grill'n stop & the general store offers all kinds of drinks. Teddy & I rode out there a couple of days ago & took some pics that I'll post. Hope we get a bunch of Spyder Ryders along for this ryde, as I'm sure it will be a Good Time. This is the same town that is nationally known as having a dog for the Mayor. Teddy got to meet him on our recent visit, but they didn't seem to be too fond of each other

[boomerkc]

Hey Dave, the Mayor knew Teddy is more popular with the public than he is and was afraid Teddy might decide to run for Mayor, Teddy would win and the Mayor would be out of a job. Very simple. Wanted the scoundrel out of town away from his fire hydrant.

[CyncySpyder]

IMG_20120512_152744.jpgIMG_20120512_152756.jpgIMG_20120512_152852.jpgIMG_20120512_152847.jpgIMG_20120512_152857.jpg

[CyncySpyder]

It rained most of the day today, so Teddy and I didn't ryde any at all today. Spent most of it in the garage going thru much of the containers of stuff left over from when my mom passed and the fire from my old apartment. To say that I'm emotionally drained is a mild understatement. So many memories, so much information to be gone thru. Actually found hand written deeds for property from my moms side of the family down in Breathitt County Kentucky, dated from 1908 & still in perfect condition & totally legible, I was amazed to be holding papers that were over a hundred years old. So many memories. For those of you that are lucky enough to still have your Mothers in your lives, please, let them know what the mean to you, as they will not be with you forever. Once their gone, even if you've done everything you could while they were here, you'll still wish you could've said more, done more, shared more. Do it now while you can.

[Zygos]

[QUOTE=For those of you that are lucky enough to still have your Mothers in your lives, please, let them know what the mean to you, as they will not be with you forever. Once their gone, even if you've done everything you could while they were here, you'll still wish you could've said more, done more, shared more. Do it now while you can.[/QUOTE]


Cyncy..........you are so right......