Knight in Shining Armor

A woman and her small child found themselves alone and in distress at the local city park when they realized that their SUV refused to start in the 100-degree sweltering heat.

Who better to rescue them, than the ice cream man ?

This selfless individual hooked up his own jumper cables, started their truck, and helped them on their way, all the while baking under the intense heat of the midday sun. And in return, they gladly bought ice creams from him and his colorful, musical truck.

A running vehicle and ice creams in hand. I'd say that's a win-win for all.

My Poor Baby Part II

As of this morning, Mocha has been given a clean bill of health from the vet. Yay !!

She's had her cast off for 3 weeks, and is running around like a maniac, just like before. She plays, she messes around with Peaches, and causes ruckus wherever she goes. Just like she used to.

I am not looking forward to paying the vet bill for this one. But it was worth it, for my little Mocha.

And yes, as of a month ago, I have signed both cats up for pet insurance. My savings account will thank me, I'm sure.

Bombs Away !

"Attention all units," blared the radio, "We have a medical emergency, building X. Patient has fainted." As is my custom, I headed off to assist.

The patient was conscious, and had a previous history of seizures. As a precaution, I held her head in place, and used my very limited Spanish to ask her some questions. A witness came forward, and I asked him if she had hit her head when she went down. He reported that she hadn't. But still, better to be safe than sorry, so I continued holding her head in place.

The Fire Department arrived, and also asked the witness if the patient had hit her head. He explained that she had been walking around like a zombie, then had sat down and flopped over. The Fire Department, unsure as to what that meant, asked the witness for clarification.

"Here, let me show you," he said.

Before the Fire Department could protest, he threw himself fiercely to the ground, ass-first, then flopped over like a dead fish.

Greeeeeeeat. Luckily he didn't injure himself with this fantastic rendition of a 71-year-old woman having an epileptic event. It seemed like a few screws were already loose in his head to begin with. They didn't need to be rattled any further.

"Thank you for showing us that," the Fire Department said, "But please. Don't ever do that again."

"Oh. Ok."

10-87 with the 10-46

As heard over the radio during an medical emergency recently:

Security Officer Mobile 5: "(blah blah blah) 10-(something), 10-(something)", a string of 10-codes in an unintelligible jumble.

Security Supervisor: "Mobile 5, please do not use 10-codes during this incident."

Mobile 5: "10-4."

Want More Blogs to Read ?

Check out this post from DeeDee, who compiled all the blogs that people posted to Dad Gone Mad. It's an impressive list, and some awesome material out there. Take a gander if you wish.

A Step Toward Manhood

At 15, Daniel is your typical teenager, interested in girls, music, video games and kicking it with his "homies". Unlike his dad, he is fair-haired, and lately has developed some light facial stubble. He has asked about shaving in the past, however Danny has always advised him to wait a while. It was so light-colored and fair at the time, that shaving would only make it darker and more difficult to manage.

Today, Daniel's girlfriend told him that she did not like the rough hairs on the side of his face, and that he should shave them. Daniel, one who always wishes to make his girlfriend happy, was hell-bent on complying.

"Dad. I need a razor. I need to shave this stubble off my face right now !"

"I don't have an extra one, and I'm feeling sick. I can go to Target tomorrow for you."

"Can't I just use yours ?"

I jumped in. "Actually, that's not a good idea. Sharing razors is not very hygenic, and I really don't recommend it."

Daniel replied, "What should I do then ? I don't want to wait until tomorrow !"

"Well," I said, "You can use one of mine if you want."

I buy disposable women's razors in ten-packs, and had plenty of unused ones to spare.

They are pink.

With purple handles.

Daniel had a decision to make: Shave for the very first time, with a sexy pink and purple razor made especially for the delicate curves on a woman's leg, or wait until tomorrow when Danny could obtain the men's version for him.

He elected to go with the girly razor.

Daniel proudly shaved, for the very first time, holding the purple handle steadily as he dragged the double-blades encased in pink plastic across his face.

Only a real man could do this, and be proud of it to boot.

After he was finished, he put a batch of cookies into the oven, then proceeded to don my big, bulky blue oven mitts, and do the robot dance around the kitchen.

Heh. I love this kid.

My Poor Baby !

Ever since I brought her home, I have known that Mocha is an accident waiting to happen.

She is a Bengal, a notoriously energetic, curious and playful breed of awesome-looking cats. Her personality has always been mischevious, and bordering on crazy. Most of the time, her antics are good for a laugh, and sometimes they require the use of a ladder. But last month, she hurt herself, and badly.

She has this terrible habit of running between our legs as we walk, and unfortunately this time, was stepped on. Her diagnosis was a "luxation"; basically, a dislocation of her foot.

The only way to repair this was surgery, which involved taking a bone graft from her hip, and securing a metal plate to keep the foot bones together. Regardless of the cost, I did not hesitate to authorize this. Yes, it broke the bank, as I have to pay taxes this year as well. But it was worth it, for my little Mocha.

She was not too happy about having to wear that head cone, but she was actually quite mobile on that cast. Not even a week after her surgery, and she was walking around the laundry room, playing with toys, and causing trouble as always. She has quite the spirit. Not even this could bring her down.

Of course, she found a way to take her cast off, by sticking her foot under the washing machine, and pulling her leg out from it. She did this twice, which meant I had to drive 20 minutes to the surgery center to have the bandage replaced.

Little brat.

The vet told me I had to restrict her activity, even after the cast was removed for good, just to be sure the bones healed properly. I have been doing this, as best I can.

I had her and Peaches upstairs the other day, as I normally do while getting ready for work. As I turned my back to pour my morning cereal, I heard some commotion behind me. I turned around to catch a glimpse of Mocha, just as she jumped from the floor, to the counter, to the top of the refrigerator.

Yes, this cat, who had just had a cast removed after major surgery, was jumping on top of the refrigerator.

Nothing in this world, not even a traumatic leg injury, could ever keep her down.

That's the spirit of a Bengal.

That's the spirit of my little Mocha.