Dave & Teddy's Most Excellent Adventures 2012

[Daisyjoe]

The other night, I geard the Tedster up & off we headed (in the cage) to our local Lowes Home Improvement store in search of some really cheap counter tops for finishing off our garage project so we can finally get started on all his Mods for his Spyder. Being broke, I knew we couldn't afford actual counter tops, but I still needed a hard flat surface for a useable work center. So I took the needed measurements of the racks that we're using and figured I'd go about seeking out the 'poor mans' counter tops, otherwise known as plywood by many. You may laugh, but it'll work just as well.

So as we're looking around, we get the usual ppl coming up & commenting on the Tedster, you know, with his bright red mowhawk & pom tail, not to mention his loving personality, he just draws the ppl in & he loves schmoozing with his fans.

Soon tho, we were approached by a mature woman pushing a cart, whom I wasn't sure exactly how to take. She was only a couple of feet away & was smiling widely at Teddy, but you could see a pained look of confusion upon her face. At first, she didn't say anything and just stared at him intently, and you could tell she was straining to make out what she was seeing. She then pensively held out her hand, and asked me if it was ok if she pet him, which I happily told her that she was welcome to do.

She then proceeded to ask what kind of dog Teddy was & if I could explain to her exactly what she was seeing? I was a little confused by her request, as I know ppl are a little taken aback by seeing a mostly black dog with a RED mowhawk & RED pom tail, but I mean, really, I was thinking to myself, is it that far fetched that you can't understand what your seeing?

pps:Sometimes, I'm such an incensitive *ss that I amaze even myselfpps:​

Mind you again, I didn't say the above, just thought it to myself. But I went ahead and explained to the lady how Teddy Rydes on a Viper Red Spyder, and its his byke, and that I'm just his chauffeur & that he's actually a long haired Pomeranian, but since he (usually) rydes daily, I have to keep his hair shaved or it becomes a rats nest & it hurts him every time I have to brush him, as I'd actually be pulling out part of his hair. And that since its his byke, & he's a 'Byker Dog' I had to help him look the part with having the matching Red mowhawk & Red Pom tail. As I explained all this in detail, the lady kept staring at Teddy as she was petting him & getting lick'ns from him & I could really tell she was struggling with understanding what she was looking at.

After I finally shut up the lady then began to talk & she thanked me for taking the time to explain what she was seeing. She then began to tell me, how she was there (at Lowes) with a young friend that was helping her redo her house, cause the very day before, when she woke up, she was almost entirely blind:shocked: She explained how her vision was just fine all of her life, but when she awoke the day before, she couldn't hardly see anything, except bright colors & she could make out the outlines of things, but that was about it. My heart was in my throat, especially with what I had just been thinking to myself just a few minutes earlier, told ya, such an *sspps:

She said she could make out the outline of a small black dog, but the bright red patch really threw her off, and that's why she was so confused, as she really couldn't see what she was looking at:shocked: She went on to explain how her Dr. doesn't think her vision will get better, but probably worsen with time & that he suggested getting a seeing eye Service Dog, but she refused, cause she has 4 or 5 rescues at home that she knew she couldn't find another home for & that she couldn't have them & a Service Dog as well. She lamented how all of this happened all of a sudden, but that she had made up her mind that she'll be just fine and that she will adapt & make the best of her situation:bowdown:

I tell you, I was almost in tears at the bravery & determination that this lady has & talking with her helped me to realize just how much I take for granted on a daily basis. I mean, could you imagine going to bed fine & healthy, and then waking up in the morning to find yourself blind:yikes:

We probably spent over an hour talking & all the while, she was petting Teddy & let'n him lick her face all over & she loved it just as much as he did. I was just happy that we could bring a big smile & a little joy into the life of someone so strong & so deserving:bowdown::2thumbs:

We take so many things for granted! Thanks for the post. By the way, how is the Tedster doing with his condition??

 

[CyncySpyder]

Teddy's doing much better

We take so many things for granted! Thanks for the post. By the way, how is the Tedster doing with his condition??

I'll have to take a short video clip & post it on here for y'all to see, because Teddy HATES taking pills, so I have to give him 2 different meds in liquid form using a syringe sans needle & even tho he doesn't like how they taste (you can tell) he's a trooper & willfully takes them with just a little prodding. Along with the additional meds, I shaved him down again and am thankful we're having such unseasonably warm weather, that way the fleas have less chance of hiding out. Haven't seen any in the past few days, tho he's still scratching every now n then from the allergic reaction from the previous bites. And just to be sure, when we go over to my buddies house tomorrow to get Madison off the bus, we're not chancing it & we'll head to the park to do her homework til her dad gets home, just to be on the safe side Live n Learn, right

 

[CyncySpyder]

WoW!!! Talk'n about taking things for granted. I'm hoping this ISN'T a MAJOR setback

Had an issue that I'm not going to get into to much publicly here on the forum, but I'll just say that as of right now, I have very limited use of my right forarm and hand & wouldn't you know it, I'm right handed. Can't even use it to turn the key in the ignition of the car without extreme pain. Been using a brace & icing it liberally & have a doctors appointment after work today. I don't think its broke, more like a pulled or torn muscle or tendon, but thats just a total guess.

All I do know is, I'm not helpless by any means, but I've been learning very quickly just how much I take being healthy for granted, thats for sure. I mean, try buttoning your pants or shirt without being able to use your dominant hand just as an example and see how it works out for you.

I keep reminding myself of Teddys sage advice in such matters:

 

[currin20fan]

Dave

:yikes: OMG! I hope you're luck changes soon and you're feeling better. Keep us posted.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Why does it take loosing something (or the use of it) before we truly appreciate it

I'm kind of beating myself up (yes, I know that's futile) but am just really frustrated with myself. I had so much time to take care of all the things that I needed to do to get the garage in workable shape, to finish all these Mods on Teds Red Sled, but I allowed the emotions of going thru everything from the past to slow me down. And now, being almost finished with it, I tried to go out and just do some little odds and ends things last night, and found that in my present condition, I couldn't even hold a hammer or do anything that still needs to be done.


Procrastination SUCKS!!!

 

[shelbydave]

You need that down time though, Dave. When I was rebuilding my SC, I sometimes would go months without accomplishing anything. I'd go to the garage, move some parts around, maybe install something - but usually not. I would spend a couple hours out there, and only accomplish about 15 minutes of the task. Other times, it seemed like the stars would align, and I could get a couple days worth done in just a short time. After I bought the SRT, I thought very hard about selling the project, just so I didn't have to look at it anymore. The only saving grace at that time was that I had it to a point where I could drive it up and down the street, and the excitement I felt when the turbo spooled up gave me the excitement to finish it.

The garage, and Ted's sled WILL all come together eventually. Just don't beat yourself up for these "down" times. My opinion is that we get them for a reason.

 

[coz]

come on dave

you've got to suck it up and get busy. if you want some help just let me know. don't dwell on the past, just look toward the future. i know you want to ride. let's go ! :clap:

 

[Dustybell]

He had a real pragmatic philosophy,
"Give me a chunk of something I can do today and get it done, then I'll work on another chunk tomorrow." That was it.

It worked.
Start somewhere.
Do something, even if all you do is bolt the chrome things on to the frunk.

Yes, this works for me. I get overwhelmed at work, then I sit back and pick one thing to do and don't even look at the whole project or I'd say I can't do this. But I pick the one thing, get it done, pick something else, get it done. My stack gets smaller and I don't mentally exhaust myself by looking at the big mess. I call it elimination.

Take a deep breath, relax, start with something small and take it easy on your arm and hand and give yourself time to heal.

 

[CyncySpyder]

Muscle Relaxers & Anti-Inflamatories are a WONDERFUL thing

In all honesty, with how 'good' I'm feeling right now, I probably shouldn't be here at work, but that's just not an option, financially speaking. Doc thinks I should be fine (continuing Ice, meds, & taking it EZ) in a week or so, but if things aren't improving in a couple of days, that I should return for another visit & get that X-Ray or MRI that I talked her out of me needing, right now.

With following the above, I was able to button my shirt & hold a cup of coffee this morning without it be excruiating like it has been the past 2 days, good news-YAY!!! :clap:

Once I get over this initial embarrasement phase pps: that I'm currently in, I'll clue you all in on exactly what happend, in the hopes that maybe, by me sharing my experience, I can possibly save someone else from the same fate as I:lecturef_smilie:

 

[Bob Denman]

:2thumbs:
Keep healing, and keep hammering! :thumbup:

 

[CyncySpyder]

NewsFlash*Teddy Cleared of ALL Attempted Manslaughter Charges due to Owners Stupidity

ppsetails soon to followpps:

 

[currin20fan]

Healing

Heal soon my friend! opcorn::bbq::bbq:

 

[CyncySpyder]

OK, so here's the true story of how Teddy tried to KILL ME & almost succeeded

As you can see in the above picture, often times while I've been working on the garage & the Spyder, I'll leave Teddy to play about, albeit on a 12ft long lead, keeping him from getting run over by the cars of our neighbors coming and going in the shared driveway and parking lot of our condo. This has worked well with only a few times of his lead getting caught around something and requiring my assistance to get him freed. Well, on Wednesday evening, in an attempt to finally get everything completed in the garage, I found that I needed to move Teddy's Spyder from one side to the other so I could start clearing out the shelves on the blocked side.

His Spyder has been lifted in the center with an ATV jack which has a large flat lifting surface & it works very well for Spyder Duty. So much so, that the last time Jesse, a fellow Spyder Owner stopped by, he declared right away, "I gotta get me one of them" which he promptly went out that night and did. Tho he called from the store and asked if I had any complaints about the lift, & I honestly told him I didn't like how it lowered & thought it too fast with only 2 lowering controls, both being too fast for my liking. So he promptly called me back & said I needed to return mine right away & get the one that he just got, which is a similar but UP-GRADED model of the lift, this one having a controlled lowering mechanism. Jesse means well & is a great guy, but I don't think he understands that we aren't as financially fortunate as he is & I told him that it wasn't something I could afford, but thanked him for letting me know.

Anyways, back to Wednesday night. So usually, I have a set of Jack Stands under both the front A Arms of the Spyder for added support, but I needed to move the Spyder from side to side. So I removed both the Jack Stands and found that with the placement of the Lift being dead center, the Spyder balanced perfectly on the lift.

Mind you, and I'm not sure why (I read this forum WAY TOO MUCH) but I could hear Scotty (NancysToy) in the back of my mind telling me "Dave, this isn't safe & and you need to brace the Spyder & not just leave it sitting like it is." But I was rushing (MISTAKE) to get done for the night, & ignored his (albeit imaginary but valid) sage words of wisdom. (DAMN, am I learning or NOT?!?)

Since the lift is also mounted on rollers, I was able to easily roll the Spyder from one side of the garage to the other, giving me the room that I needed to be able to get to the shelves and clear them out.

Along rolls 11pm, and I'm exhausted from the past 6 hours of garage cleaning & organizing and am putting everything away for the night so Teddy & I could go to bed. Just then, our new neighbor came home and Teddy got all excited to have someone else to play with for a few minutes. He was jumping up and down with excitement and somehow, unbeknownst to me, his lead got wrapped around the right front fender, but I hadn't noticed it. So when my neighbor got out of his truck parked in his designated parking spot, he then went over and opened up his garage which is right next to ours.

At this time, I was just about to move Teddy's Spyder back over to the other side of the garage, when all of a sudden, in a fit of excitement, Teddy lurched toward my neighbor with all his might, and in doing so, pulling the Spyder off center and causing it to actually fall on me!

Mind you, the Spyder was elevated about 2 feet in the air, and with no tires on it at all. You talking about shock and confusion! I couldn't understand what was happening, and honestly, didn't have time to think about it, all I did was react. The Spyder had litterally fallen into my right arm and stomach and I caught it and kept it from hitting the floor, don't ask me how, I guess its that Adrenaline Rush that you hear ppl talking about in emergency situations.

But there I was, half crouched under the Spyder holding the entire machine teatering off the lift and onto me, but somehow I managed enough strength and leverage to push it back up onto the lift and to get it centered again so it didn't need me to support it.

As soon as this was over, my first thought was that I had broken my arm, as the pain was excruciating. The stock rear passenger floorboard went directly into the bend of my elbow, on the fleshy inside part and thats exactly where ALL the pain was, but I couldn't feel any bones sticking out, so I thought maybe I didn't break it. Being highly embarrassed and in pain, and knowing that I had to get up and go to work in just a couple of hours, I promptly got Teddy, went inside, took about 4 Ibuprofin with a couple of crackers, wrapped my intire elbow area with an Ice pad that I had left over from my back surgery and promply went to bed.

When I awoke the following morning, I found I couldn't use my right hand at all & was really worried about what damage I had done. I cautiously made it thru the day at work & went to see my dr. the next day, and after all her poking and prodding, it looks like I just really bruised the inner elbow area and all the ligaments and tendons surrounding it. I had a brace from a previous elbow injury from years ago, that helps to relieve the pressure of this area, and my dr. confirmed it was a good idea to continue its use, along with prescribing me some Anti-Inflamatories & Muscle Relaxers.

Each day, the pain has been getting less and my dexterity is returning little by little. I can now happily button a button & wipe my butt once again without almost putting myself into tears. I really haven't appreciated how much I take so many of the little things like listed above for granted, until it is taken away.

So, Teddy may have inadvertently tried to kill me, but thankfully, he failed to succeed. The reason I'm posting this, is to hopefully prevent something similar from happening to one of you that might be reading this and following along. Like many, I knew what I was doing wasn't entirely safe, but like most, it was a short cut in the hopes of getting something done quickly, and I thought nothing bad was going to come of it.

I'm lucky to be alive, and with only the little injuries that I have suffered, as I don't want to think about what could have happened if the entire Spyder fell on me if like my back was turned when it fell

 

[NancysToy]

Listen to me next time and these kind of things won't happen!

Glad you are OK, but I hope this was a lesson to you. Just like riding defensively, you have to work defensively. If something bad can happen, it will. Never put your body in danger to do the job...unless you are receiving hazardous duty pay.

 

[lookerjdc]

glad you're okay (relatively speaking)

sounds like Teddy needs some downers.. and stop giving him those great dane treats.....

take care of yourself and heal - the rest will follow

 

[harrypottar]

Take it easy, you should have a some one else around when you move stuff like that just incase, or at least a cell phone handy if you get trapped

Glad it not nay worse than it is.

Harry

 

[Netminder]

Glad you are on the mend!:yesoing bodywork for years I know how easy it is for things to happen. We need to work safe as well as play safe.

 

[JJW SpyderRider]

Glad your OK super Dave :yikes:

Be very carefull with the Ibuprofin they can hurt your kidneys. I know youv'e been through a lot of pain but the Ibuprofin works good but can come back and hurt you. Take it from a kidney transplant patient.

 

[MarkLawson]

Dave, take a look at your lift. You might find some rings intended for tying down your Spyder while in the air.

 

[Ray&Charlotte]

Thank God you're okay. Sounds like a great deal of trauma - your first aid seems to have prevented chronic issues (hopefully). Heal that arm, take it easy. ray: will say a little prayer