The Koko Kitchen---quickly becoming a favorite of the Avenues' staff (from left to right: me, Christine, Brandon & Amanda). After working a chaotic Saturday, with jugular blood draw after jugular blood draw on cats wanting to bite so deeply into the bone of our fingers that any unsuspecting technician would soon be digitless without the expertise of alternating restrainers, it was a welcome surprise to have this restaurant open its doors and allow us to stay two hours beyond their scheduled close. Apparently, the owner visited our clinic with his dog this afternoon and, thankful for what we did, was willing to bend over backwards, discounting our check and serving us a free carafe of plum wine. It was fantastic!

And here you have it: Dr. Ponce's favorite technicians! Never had I been employed by someone that loved to hear about our weekend excursions like she does. She laughs at our whimsical ways and NOTHING is taboo. The three of us love working together, but because of our awesome boss, we actually get to ENJOY it---inside and outside of work!

This was the point where nobody could eat another bite. I'll be honest, when it comes to sushi, sometimes I'll eat shrimp or crab. It's too good to pass up!

Immediately after leaving the Koko Kitchen, I picked up Topie for a fun-filled evening of horseback riding. Amanda was very obliging and met us at the arena just to give Topaz her first ever experience on a full-sized horse. Initially there was the expected timidness, but soon they were doing lap after lap with a full-sized smile on Topie's face. She had a blast! And Amanda's horse is beautiful!!!

Lilly... stunning little Arabian cross.

Amanda's boots were so cracked and worn, it was poetic.

And that, my friends is the perfect way to make up for working on a Saturday.

This day is for the birds!

For the second time in her short life, Topie visited Tracy Aviary with me. It was lovely this time of year---the tulips were starting to bloom and a few trees were bursting with pink blossoms. The weather was perfect (Michelle, it felt like SF, breezy upper 60s) and it was just heaven to be outside!

Of course, we couldn't complain of the company. It's obvious that we're the best of friends.

Until....Topie has a minor bump and cries like it's the end of the world. It seems to be her trademark as many of you know :(

Fortunately, it doesn't take long for her to recover and we're back in business!

Curses that I don't remember the name of these birds. They were sooooo cute. They ran up to the fence like a little pack of wolves and chirped to whomever was nearby. They were extremely curious, like little dogs wanting attention. Funny, funny.

Then there were the other usual culprits---stunning golden eagles, the baldy himself and some friendly little ground-dwelling birds that were also very interested in us, and as you can see, came close enough to touch. I think that's a good way to get banned from the Aviary...

Nearby, just outside the Aviary, there are some stone-age amusement rides that taught me that you're never to old to develop motion-sickness. The Farris-wheel, for instance, made me nauseous. Small in size and slow-moving though it may be, its creaky assumed instability elicits a vomit-producing fear. Seriously, I was a little woozy.

Topie, however, didn't miss a beat. She flew a few planes, drove a few cars and had the time of her toddlery life.

As you can see, my camera has recovered from its Topaz-induced injury and I have recovered from my seasonal slump. Spring is officially here and we intend to enjoy it to the fullest!

Between Tracy Aviary, the old-school rides and later (not shown) a picnic near one of Liberty Parks playgrounds (with blood-red oranges and local goat-cheese we purchased from a fantastic market on 13th South) we were two worn-out little girls. Below you can see how we exude this differently. I, the contended smile; Topaz, stoic exhaustion---she's really happy, I swear ;)

Serenity now

Luckily, nobody else seemed hindered by my suffering. I am, however, dreading work tomorrow, since the majority of my day consists of tackling animals, so they don't bite or scratch the doctor. But whether I'm under the weather or not, I rely heavily upon my weekend to get me through another long stretch of battling traffic, coworkers, toddler tantrums and bills---otherwise known as life. While some look forward to Saturdays and Sundays, I NEED them. And thus, following Sunday zoo tradition, my sanity is restored.

But how could I ever resist an opportunity to see a bear sprawled on its back?

One thing that surely must have been getting old were the one-on-one close-ups of myself and Topie. But what other option was there when it was the two of us going solo everywhere? Don't get me wrong, we have a blast together, but Topie truly enjoyed the company of her Aunt Ju-bag and Uncle Jared today. They were awesome hauling the Tope-ster everywhere and pushing the stroller while I sulked along wishing I were dead (haha, I'm exaggerating)---I'd really thrown out my back the day before trying to lift 165 lbs of dead weight (literally, a Newfoundland that had been euthanized) and I was mildly hunched over and slow-moving. In any event, Topie loved the attention. Uncle Jared, while new to the family, has truly wound Topaz tightly around his little finger. I think it's because he's a big kid himself! 

Or does it???

Is it just me or does posing with the 

various statues never get old?

I have to thank my soul-sista Michelle for teaching me the finer points of timing settings on a digital camera. One would never guess that so many group portraits were taken with my sweet little sony propped vicariously on a rock/branch/stroller and I'd managed to rush into the frame and pose only moments before the flash.

It appears as though Sundays at the zoo might very well become a tradition. While the excursion itself has proved enjoyable enough for the weekly return, the discovery that one of the world's largest mammals shares my name (spelling included) was not so amusing. The fact that "Christie" was the smaller of the pachyderms was of no comfort whatsoever. Ok, ok universe, I get it---exercise more. Right. Anyway, the old girl there is pregnant and it was quite interesting to learn that the elephant gestation period is roughly 24 months. Ew! And I thought 9 months was rough. Even so, with any luck, this summer Topie and I will be blogging about the zoo's newest addition. I hope by then I will no longer resemble the mother of "Baby Elephant."