Elsie Dog

We said goodbye to our beloved Elsie on January 24, 2014. Elsie was our pride and joy and we owe an amazing 2013 to her. Luckily we were able to capture memories with many photos we took of her. Below are some of my favorites.

Elsie's Story:

Elsie was born in Hong Kong in April of 2007. She and her siblings were reportedly found in a dumpster and turned over to a rescue organization there.

Baby Elsie was the poster puppy for her litter's adoption! Then along came Ben & Jean, Americans who were living and working in Hong Kong. They adopted Elsie as a pal to their other Hong Kong rescue pup, Humphrey. Jean later said that they chose Elsie because she was the sweetest of the bunch. And the ears. Those adorably huge ears. 

Elsie and Humphrey were the best of pals-they loved running all over the island together and digging through trash at the local dump. While in HK, Elsie welcomed a brother, Johnstone, to the family and developed a fondness for his dirty diapers. Later Ben and Jean moved the family back to the states and they settled in the East Bay.

Sadly, Ben and Jean faced a crisis that required them to find Elsie a new home. Luckily our friends, Jake & Rachel, were able to assist and provide a foster home to Elsie. While Jake & Rachel traveled to Thailand for their honeymoon. GK and I agreed to sit for Elsie for those 3 weeks. 

Here she is on December 22, 2012-her first night with us in Concord and my parents' house. Elsie wasn't sure what to think and spent most of her time in the living room avoiding the guests at my parents' Christmas celebration. After a week into her stay with us we received an email from Rachel asking us about our interest in caring for Elsie full time. We told Rachel that we would think about it and give her an answer when the 3 weeks were up.

In preparation for Elsie coming to stay with us, we purchased her a raincoat at Old Navy. I think in some way I subconsciously knew that Elsie would become  permanent member of our home even before our dog-sitting commitment began. Pictured above-Elsie is wearing her raincoat during one of her many "poop loops" in our neighborhood. Of course once those 3 weeks were up we knew we wanted Elsie to become part of our home.

Our weekends quickly turned into Elsie outings. We'd play her favorite music ("Buy a Dog" by Luce and just about anything by Fun) while we drove to many of the great parks in the East Bay, changing the lyrics to include Elsie's name in the songs.

Pictured above and below in Crockett. This was a fabulous day-I chased Elsie around the tall green grass and once we were tired we went to the Warehouse for a beer, dogs are not allowed but since they could see that Elsie was well behaved they told us to just bring her inside.

This iconic photo of Elsie was eventually turned into a beautiful oil painting and presented to me on Valentine's  Day (which was also our 2nd year anniversary).

We quickly got in the habit of taking Elsie with us just about everywhere. Elsie was not really a huge fan of the corner laundromat but the manager is an incredibly nice guy and his dog, Sam, who is a local fixture there did his best to make friends with Elsie. Eventually Elsie started enjoying her trips to see Jonathan and Sam and would even lay down on the floor while I folded laundry.

Of course Elsie visited the 500 Club in SF to attend GK's Sunday karaoke show. Elsie was not impressed.

Here is Elsie in June of 2012 celebrating Rachel's birthday at Lake Merritt along with her friends Virginia and Sophie.

Elsie and GK quickly became best friends. Elsie adapted to GK's schedule which basically involved sleeping until 11am, going out for coffee, running a few errands in the troll, and taking an afternoon nap. Above-Elsie at the Oakland Cemetery (popular place for walking). GK even gave Elsie a nickname, "Osos," which basically came from saying Elsie really fast in a high-pitched tone. Eventually Osos morphed into-The Os.

Elsie even visited Treasure Island.

But she found the Doggie Diner heads on a wagon at TI troublesome.

I later found out that while I was at work GK & Elsie would often visit fast food restaurants, sharing a burger (her favorite was Burger King) and always having fries. The most Elsie ever got from me was a greenie that took her three weeks to eat.

Our best trips were when the 3 of us spent the day together. Here we are last year at Jack London Square.

We included Elsie on our trips out of town whenever we could. Here she is (above) in Monterey for GK's birthday last year wearing her hat made by G-Ro along with a pink hijab. 

One of our best trips though had to be to Mt. Lassen in September of 2013. Above at Lake Helen.

Taking a break from the heat with GK.

While Elsie has traveled extensively throughout Northern California, Point Isabel will always be one of her most favorite places.

It's also where she found herself in a fight with a Rhodesian ridgeback that resulted in 7 stitches to her shoulder. Apparently Elsie started the fight. According to GK they had run into Jean, Johnstone, & Humphrey and he believes that Elsie was being protective of them.

We did have some challenges with Elsie-like going on a hunger strike. After GK discovered that she had dumped her bowl of high-end vegetarian dog food, he responded by grabbing the keys and heading straight to Pet Food Express to get her a new bag of food.

Elsie also had skin issues that she struggled with her entire life. GK tried everything on Elsie from changing her diet to rubbing olive oil on her paws. Eventually I would cone her when the itching became extreme and then while I was at work GK would allow her to frolic sans cone.

But most days it was happy times. No matter how hard I tried, I was never able to teach Elsie to dance. But she did learn to lay down on command from watching youtube videos and GK taught her to climb up on my bookcase to retrieve treats.

And of course GK dressed up as Elsie on Halloween last year. Eventually Elsie would come to own a total of 12 different scarves-it was her signature accessory.

While Elsie's favorite room in the house was our front living room-she also liked to spend sunny days in the kitchen catching flies.

She became particularly fond of G-Ro who made her entire outfit (saddlebags, hat, and kerchief) that matched her car seat cover. G-Ro was also known to provide Elsie with chicken and turkey during the holidy gtherings. Eventually when we would arrive in Concord, we would let Elsie out of the car and she would run right up to their front door. Once she was allowed inside she would immediately head into the kitchen to greet my parents.

But Elsie never forgot where she came from. Here she is with her brother, Humphrey, at Friendsgiving last November hosted by Ben & Jean.

Elsie was a great source of support during my pregnancy. She was very patient and understanding when we brought Tala home from the hospital. Above at my baby shower last November wearing her carrot scarf.

Luckily GK was still able to spend some one on one time with Elsie so she didn't feel too left out. Pictured above this past January up in the Oakland hills.

In mid January of this year, Elsie quickly fell ill. We were shocked to learn that she had a tumor on her heart and the prognosis was extremely poor. Because we didn't want her to suffer, we arranged to put her to sleep after she said her goodbyes.

At first Elsie stayed overnight at the vet's office so that fluid could be drained from her belly. After GK got off work at 2:30am, he picked her up from the vet's office and slept downstairs with her on the couch, regularly waking to check on her to make sure she was comfortable.

Here she is with Jean and Ben who came over to spend the next evening with her. Of course Elsie welcomed them and was so happy for their comfort.

That last night we moved T downstairs so Elsie wouldn't have to sleep alone.

We believe that Elsie stayed around long enough to make sure that T was secure with us before saying goodbye.

Beautiful Elsie.

(Made for Elsie by our friend Audrey Delacruz)

We could not have asked for a better dog. Elsie was our first child-we think about and miss her every day. 

Elsie "Osos" Calub

April 2007-January 24, 2014

Survived by her family-Bonnie, Glenn, and Tala; Ben, Jean, Johnstone, & Isadora; brother Humphrey; and too many friends and four-legged pals to count.

Tala's Arrival! December 3-4, 2013

So after night of ramen and karaoke I was rudely awakened at 4:30am with contractions. Nothing too intense but enough to annoy me that I couldn't sleep in until 9am like I had planned. They lasted until right before I went in for my routine appointment at Kaiser at 11am later that morning. My doctor was encouraged that things were progressing but baby's arrival was still TBD. I spent the rest of the day doing absolutely nothing productive.

Then around 10pm-they return. Not horrible but around 7-10 minutes apart, lasting anywhere from 30-45 seconds. I text GK who was at work to give him an update and proceed to labor at home by myself for the next 4 hours. Initially I had these grandiose ideas of cleaning the house when I first went into labor along with making a casserole to freeze, showering, shaving my legs, straightening my hair, changing the sheets on the bed, and having an ice cold Peroni. Of course none of this happened. I instead rolled round in bed moaning and walked up and down the stairs until GK came home. After he arrived it would be game on for the next 36 hours.

I knew that during my pregnancy that massage and direct pressure would help me deal with the contractions. GK and I had taken the Bradley Method class in preparation for a natural childbirth and massage was one of the recommended relaxation techniques that we actually practiced. GK would put direct pressure on my lower back throughout the contractions which proved to be exhausting as neither of us slept that night. With the shades drawn and our spotify playlist going ( a combo of yacht rock & spa sounds, think waterfalls/birds/chimes), GK coached me through the contractions for the rest of the day. Time ceased to exist. What also ceased to exist was my access to an app to time my contractions (forgot my password) and an ability to keep food/water down. 

I spent about 2 hours laboring on the floor while (incorrectly) keeping track of my contractions on my iPhone.

For reasons unknown, every few hours I would violently vomit. Eventually I stopped even trying to eat because I knew what the end result would be. By 4pm we decided to call Kaiser Labor & Delivery and they advised us to come in due to the risk of dehydration. We thought about it, called our Bradley Method teacher, and decided to try to stay home longer. My goal had been to labor at home for as long as possible and not go into the hospital until I was in the transition stage. I ate some rice but after I threw up yet again, we decided to head to Kaiser in Walnut Creek out of concern that the baby could be affected by dehydration.

Elsie was incredibly patient during the labor. GK came downstairs to find her in the kitchen s pictured above waiting for a much deserved treat.

After going through triage I was admitted to the hospital (dilated 5 cm) and given fluids. Unfortunately the fluids and anti-nausea medication did not correct this issue and it continued until the birth. Luckily I was able to disconnect the IV line and take a shower and walk around a bit. After about 12 hours I was still at 5cm and Pitocin was recommended. Now if you've seen The Business of Being Born you probably know that Pitocin is one of the most overused drugs in Labor & Delivery. However, I had been at 5cm for only 12 confirmed hours, possibly even longer since I had spent the first 24 hours of my labor at home. GK supported starting Pitocin as the thought of 35 more hours of labor was enough to put him over the edge. Eventually I agreed and I was given the lowest dosage and then waited to see what would happen.

Shortly after being admitted.

GK had been awake going on 36 hours with me. Initially I did not give him enough credit for this since I was also awake but being awake due to pain and being awake on your own accord are two totally different things. Of course my situation was much harder. After being admitted to the hospital GK attempted to take some short naps throughout the night only to be awakened by me demanding that he put direct pressure on my back. By 7am he told me that we needed to call my mom because he wasn't sure how much longer he could take. I reminded him of our plan to call in my dear friend Rachel for support and texted her. She agreed to pick up a latte for GK and head on over. The timing was perfect-when I texted her she was up getting ready for work and was able to skip an office holiday party she had no interest in attending. Seeing Rachel re-energized both of us and gave GK some rest for the remainder of my labor as they traded off applying direct pressure to my back.

My biggest fear about having Pitocin was that my contractions would become almost immediately unbearable. Luckily this did not happen and the process was gradual but quick. I don't even recall actually entering the transition stage. I knew that the contractions were getting closer together and more intense but I never felt like they were overlapping. The biggest difference I felt was the incredible urgency to push. I told the nurse about this and she checked me, told me that I was dilated to 7cm, that clearly the Pitocin was working, try not to push, and we'd have a baby here within the next few hours. I still could not get over the incredible urgency not to push but at the height of each contractions I was unintentionally slightly pushing. Shortly after the nurse left the room I felt an incredible shift deep inside and announced this to GK & Rachel. Rachel called the nurse back in who checked me and announced that I was already at 10cm, she felt the head and I was ready to have a baby.

I immediately found my 2nd wind-previously I had felt like I was just surviving the contractions since I had no idea how long they would last. When it comes to second stage labor there's the clear goal of pushing the baby out, something I had more control over. When I first started to push, the bag of waters  started to come out as it had yet to break. For a few minutes there was the chance that the baby was going to born inside but the nurse accidentally poked it, causing it to deflate a few minutes later. I started pushing during the contractions and my room began to fill with medical staff. I requested to use the squatting bar as this position opens your pelvic area by 10% more than other positions. It must have been gravity but as I pushed in this position, fluid gushed out along with merconium which necessitated to the NICU for a nurse/doctor to respond. The midwife had me change positions as squatting wasn't really working for her. I ended up in a semi-sitting position with my feet up on stirrups close to my body with handles to push against.

The nurse had placed a mirror so I could view the delivery but in order to see I had to have my glasses on. I watched as the head began to emerge but was immediately disappointed to see it retract back inside. I know that this in and out business with the head could go on for hours and I was having none of that. I took off my glasses, handed them to GK, leaned back, and told myself that baby would be coming out within the next 5 contractions. The midwife really seemed to get me-she coached me through the next 4 contractions, urging me to push 3 or 4 times. During the 4th contraction she just kept telling me to push even though the contraction was over. I heard her announce that the head was out and next would be the shoulder. I looked to my right and saw a tiny little head covered with dark hear, wide eyes, a bit of a squeak, and arms open to greet the world. Tala Benilda Calub Mencher had made her arrival. She was loosely wrapped in a receiving blanket and placed on my abdomen. I kept exclaiming-she's so cute! I truly thought she was the cutest baby I had ever seen whereas GK was alarmed by how swollen she was and initially thought she looked a little deformed. And just like that all the pain stopped. I had the most amazing energy that would last through the next day and immediately drank 5 little boxes of apple juice.

Despite no sleep for the past 2 days, GK skips a nap and witnesses Tala's birth.

Tala after getting all cleaned up. The nurse ran and got a special little hat she had taken from the stash that the volunteers knit for the new babies. She had saved it and presented it to Tala.

Tala's first selfie on Instagram. #eatyourheartoutangelina

Staff left us alone to spend as much time as we wanted with her. Rachel stayed for about 20 more minutes and then left GK and I alone. Eventually we were ready to call the nurse back in so that Tala could get cleaned up, weighed, and complete all the routine procedures. Tala was a whopping 6 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 20 inches. I was moved to the Post-Partum ward to recover. We only spent one night in the hospital. While the medical team was amazingly supportive, for some reason I was eager to get home and was discharged the following afternoon.

Our celebratory lunch in Post-Partum. I skipped the meal but swiped the It's a Girl! champagne flutes.

It's official! Note-my midwife's first name is my middle name.

Our first trip home to Berkeley! Our first night home would prove to be the hardest. We were both incredibly exhausted and Tala did not like clothing, diapers, her bassinet, or not being held. However, in a few days I think she decided that she liked us and that diapers are a necessity. 

Hike to Cataract Falls-November 27, 2013

In preparation for a natural childbirth I wanted to be able to focus on something that was calming and real for me. Last year GK and I hiked to Cataract Falls located in the Marin Watershed. It's probably one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done-incredibly green, mossy, and you're rewarded with amazing waterfalls part of the way through. I decided to claim Cataract Falls as my special place and told GK that we had to make a pilgramage there before the arrival of bebe. After completing some research online (www.bahiker.com), I decided that the short one mile hike strating in Fairfax to the falls was more appropriate in my fragile condition as the route we completed last year totaled about 6 miles. Luckily-dogs are allowed on this trail (must be on leash) so we loaded Elsie up in the Prius and set out for Fairfax the day before Thanksgiving.

We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather for our hike.

GK checking out the Reservoir.

The almost one mile trail, all uphill, is dotted with waterfalls throughout. Carting along 23 extra lbs. on this hike has its challenges but I was up for it. 

38-week belly shot.

Plenty of little bridges along the route to challenge Elsie's bravery. Unfortunately dogs have to be kept on leash at all times on this trail but Elsie was a good sport. Plus-holding onto her leash while we hiked uphill helped me keep my balance.

We eventually made it to the top without running into a single person. Here GK gives his best mountain man outdoorsy pose. Unfortuntely there hasn't been much rain so the waterfall wasn't as impressive as I remember it but I couldn't deny the beauty and soaked in the sights.

As did Elsie:

Then came the much easier return back to the car...

Feeling like a bit of a badass for completing this short but somewhat challenging hike while I'm 9-months pregnant. GK waited to tell me when we were done that he was hoping that I was getting tired because he was ready for it to end. Keeping my fingers crossed that these images will stay etched in my mind while I prepare for a natural birth.

Babymoon-November 12, 2013

Last Friday marked my last day at work for 2013. I have been at my current place of employment for almost 9 1/2 years. During that time at most I have taken about 2 weeks off from work. My employer will allow me to take a total of 6 months off for maternity leave. This could leave some women wondering what they would do with their time but not me-I feel like I have a lot of organizing and prepping to do and my biggest worry is that the baby will decide to come earlier than Dec. 10th. I also still have a bit of a bucket list (like one last Sunday night at the 500 Club, stuffing my face at the Hella Vegan Eats food truck at Dolores Park, paddle boarding at Jack London Square, hike to Cataract Falls in Marin, etc.) I need to work on once all the baby prep stuff is done.

But first things first-Babymoon! GK was a little worried about being too far away from a hospital in case of an emergency and of course Elsie had to be included so we decided to revisit one of our favorite spots-the Stanford Inn, an eco-friendly resort in Mendocino. This was the spot of our first getaway together in 2011 and where we became engaged last New Year's Eve. For this trip I was especially looking forward to a prenatal massage in the forest, vegan food, and a king sized bed with extra pillows.

After my massage I returned to our cozy room complete with a fireplace to find GK and Elsie engaging in some serious cuddle time.

We then relaxed which consists of watching TV since we don't own one. Unfortunately the inn does not have Animal Planet (a favorite) so we settled on the Food Network's reality show, "Chopped," that  had a special Thanksgiving theme. Above is the view from our room where we could see the ocean and we took a short break from the TV to appreciate an amazing sunset. Then it was time to head to dinner at the inn's Raven's Restaurant.

Probably because it was a Tuesday night, we were one of about three couples, and I have an incredibly healthy appetite these days-we were finished with dinner in a little less than an hour. Clockwise from the upper left hand corner-roasted beet frisee salad with lemon walnut pate, vegetables tamales with beans, rice,  & avocado slaw, homemade mushroom tofu ravioli with cream sauce & sauteed chard, and barbeque pulled tempeh sandwich with citrus slaw. Unfortunately I was too full to order dessert.

 Being a model is hard.

After dinner GK took about an hour to get a fire going and Elsie had her holiday photo shoot (sorry-no previews). I fell into a blissful sleep with the fire crackling in the background, surrounded by at least five fluffy pillows, and no alarm clock to wake up to.

In the morning I decided to take advantage of the solarium swimming pool. Because I've been feeling ahem, a bit warm these days, walking to the pool barefoot, in just the inn's bathrobe was pretty invigorating and I reminisced about all the ice baths I took last year while training for the North Face Endurance Challenge 50K.

36-week belly shot.

It's official-I still float!

After the pool we had brunch-tofu Florentine and roasted potatoes for me and quinoa and black bean enchiladas complete with freshly squeezed orange and carrot juice.

 Then it was Elsie time and we took her for a walk on the grounds. Here she is checking out the organic garden.

And here she is ignoring the llama.

Elsie refused to look into the camera so I looked in the direction she was-at what I have absolutely no clue but I hope it was interesting.

GK's turn to look intrigued.

We even ventured down to the dock at Catch a Canoe. Elsie is NOT a fan of water and typically refuses to walk on a dock. However, when we took her leash off and proceeded without her, she summoned the courage and joined us. She was so nervous she wouldn't even accept the treats we offered her for being so brave.

I would have loved to stay just one more night but that would have been pushing it with all we have left to do in the next few short weeks. We'll be back in 2014 though with just a little extra luggage:)