BJ sporting a pink cast

BarbaraJean had a checkup with the Vet this afternoon, now BJ is sporting a pink cast, not because anything is broken, but to keep the leg straight. At present, the leg is just a dangling appendage. Hopefully, in 4 to 6 weeks, she'll be using it again.

The Vet took tweezers and pinched the toes on the good paw, BJ reacted. The tweezers on the toes of the bad leg, no reaction. I sorta took that as bad news, but the Vet is hopeful.

Jack and BarbaraJean are our livestock-guardian dogs. As you know, from birth, Jack has been blind in one eye.  If the feeling doesn't come back in BarbaraJean's leg, it will have to be removed. We could make up some tall tales about our pair of LGD's, as in, one only has one eye, and the other only has three legs.

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pics from some of the other critters

BarbaraJean on the mend

Early Friday AM, I drove BarbaraJean to our Vets main office in Abington VA and dropped her off. Tests were run, no broken bones however BJ's right front leg just dangles from possible nerve damage. Hopefully, in 4 to 6 weeks, she'll begin to use the leg again. BJ's breathing had been labored, and the Vet was giving her medication for lung contusions. BJ went through 4 bags of fluids, pain meds, steroids, etc. She's banged up and heavily bruised in places.

On Saturday, Mike and I arrived in Abington at 12:30PM. BJ looked so pitiful but apparently she was ready to come home with us. We checked on BJ in the Xray room where they had her, but the Vet said for us to come up front to review the meds we were taking home, as we were up front discussing, Dr. Britt thought she heard something, we walked into the hall, and BJ was slowly coming up the hall on three legs after she has peed and had diarrhea in the floor.

BarbaraJean started drinking a little water while at the Vets Office but would not eat.  We got her home and she still refused to eat. Finally, this afternoon [Sunday] we got her to eat some chicken and Vienna Sausages.  Now, instead of forcing pills down her throat, we can hide the pills in the sausages.

As BarbaraJean is mending, she just sleeps a lot. JackBadger just doesn't understand why BJ won't get up and play. Sometimes he comes over and paws at her and she growls at him.

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Changing the subject, this is the food that we feed our 4 dogs. It does cost more but read the ingredients below.

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Chili is the only girl and doesn't appreciate the 3 boys shunnning her, especially her brother, Ancho.

BarbaraJean hit by a car

On Wednesday Aug 22, BarbaraJean was hit by a car. We think she was hit early AM after Mike left for work, she always follows his car down our dirt road to the inlaws house, and she is supposed to stop in their yard. As I was leaving for work, I couldn't find her. We didn't know where she was until approx 6PM that evening. A man had called one of Mike's sisters about a big, white dog laying in his backyard. We hooked up the utility trailer to the truck and raced over. BJ couldn't get up and Mike grabbed her hind legs and dragged her up on the trailer. She spent the night on the trailer. I drove BJ to our Vet this morning. Our "livestock" Vet is only in Mountain City, TN on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. Just a satellite office out of Abington, TN. 



By IV, BarbaraJean received 3 bags of fluids today.  She also received pain meds and steroids. I brought her home this afternoon. In the morning [Friday], I will drive BJ to the Abington office so she can get Xrayed and see if she has improved overnight. She's not drinking or eating, her breathing is labored, and we are giving her pain pills. BarbaraJean needs a few prayers.  The Vet hasn't formed any definite opionions yet, BJ may bounce back, she may have to be put down.

 

Also, I hate to have to mention this but
yesterday, when we found BarbaraJean,
flies were swarming all over her,
I find out at the Vets office today,

around BJ where she poops and pees,

damn maggots had already hatched on BJ

and the Vet shaved, cleaned, and sprayed the area.

Was disgusting, they were trying to eat
BJ alive, poor BarbaraJean.

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‘Community-Spirited’ James Dean Wilcox

The ‘Community-Spirited’ James Dean Wilcox Passed Away on Saturday; Visitation Tonight at Hampton’s James Wilcox By Jesse Wood Aug. 11, 2012.
http://www.hcpress.com/people-2/the-community-spirited-james-dean-wilcox-passed-away-on-saturday-visitation-tonight-at-hamptons.html

James Dean Wilcox passed away on Saturday morning, Aug. 11, 2012, at the age of 80. Born in Todd on July 9, 1932, Wilcox was a “community-spirited person,” according to his daughter Tina Kostis. Aside from three terms on the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, he founded the Foscoe Ruritan Club; was president of the Mountaineer Ruratin Club in Cove Creek; and was involved with numerous organizations, serving on the boards of Northwestern Regional Housing Authority, Regional D Development Cooperation and the Watauga Medical Center. In 1992, Wilcox was awarded the Governor’s Award for “Outstanding Volunteer Service” for his volunteer work throughout the High Country and was an active member in the Watauga Baptist Church in Foscoe. “He tried to help everyone … He was an all-around nice person,” Kostis said. “He cared about everybody.”

And his younger brother Bob Wilcox added, “He was a people person.” A staunch Republican, Wilcox always wanted to talk politics, his brother said. Kostis said that even though he was a Republican, he was bipartisan, willing to reach across the aisle to get things done for the greater good of the community. “It didn’t matter if you were a Democrat or Republican. When he was in there, they all worked together,” Kostis said. “He was just that type of person.”

Wilcox married Mary Aldridge on January 26, 1952, and the two celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. According to the BooneDocksWilcox blog, “James loved nothing more than to spend time with his family and friends, and especially loved the time he got to spend with them at the beach. He could often be seen skating with family members, attending sporting events, or chatting with a complete stranger. He also loved riding and showing horses with his son, Mike, and his youngest daughter, Tina.” Also, he loved to drive his 1962 red Mustang in local parades.

Wilcox ran a skating rink in various places in the High Country, including Skateworld near Vilas for the past 18 years. He enjoyed roller skating until his last knee surgery and even met his wife at the old skating rink above Western Union Bus Terminal on Depot Street.

Upon graduating from Appalachian High School in 1950, he joined the Air Force, serving as an air traffic control specialist in the Korean War. When Wilcox came back to Boone, following his military service, he worked at the Western Union Bus Terminal for nearly 20 years. After which, he opened Wilcox Freight Company, which is still in service, along with Skateworld.

James is survived by his wife, Mary, as well as one son and three daughters, Mike Wilcox and wife, Joanna, of Vilas; Sherry Russom and husband, Charles Rose, of Boone; Sandy Wilcox of Vilas; and Tina Kostis and husband, George, of Vilas. James and Mary have six grandsons, Scott Russom of Boone; Garrick Jackson and wife, Amber, of Zionville; Jeremy Russom of Vilas; Jason Jackson and wife, Kendra, of Boone; Savva Kostis and wife, Stephanie, of Boone; and Demetreus Kostis of Vilas. Together, they also have four great-grandchildren, Daniel and Nora Russom, and Gracie and Ellary Jackson.

James is also survived by seven brothers and sisters, Opal Dancey of Cleveland, Ohio; Ruth Hicks and husband, Mack, of Boone; Bob Wilcox and wife, Barbara, of Blowing Rock; Junior Wilcox of Boone; Charles “Butch” Wilcox and wife, Phyllis, of Lincolnton; Sue Reece of Trade, Tennessee; Billy Wilcox and wife, Nita, of Vilas along with James’ special nephew, Luke, and many, many extended family members and loved ones. James is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arden and Floy Wilcox.
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Monday Aug 13, 2012 - the Viewing at Hampton's Funeral Home

 At the viewing, several prominent politicians came including Virginia Foxx

 Carol and Butch

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Tuesday Aug 14, 2012. Funeral at Watauga Baptist Church and Graveside Services at Mount Lawn Memorial Gardens.

 Military rites and burial with honors
provided by American Legion Post 130.

James Dean Wilcox, 80

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Photo's from July 21, 2012 - Savva and Steph's Wedding Day

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Bouquet at the house


James Dean Wilcox, 80, of 6880 US Hwy 421 North in Vilas, joined his Father in Heaven on Saturday morning, August 11, 2012. He was an incredible husband, father, brother, and grandfather – better known as “Pa” to his grandchildren.

Born on July 9, 1932 in Todd, NC, James loved the community he grew up in. He graduated from Appalachian High School in 1950 and joined the Air Force shortly after. While in the military, he served four years as an air traffic control specialist in the Korean War. Upon completion of his military service, Mr. Wilcox worked at the Western Union Bus Terminal in Boone. He worked there for 14 years before becoming manager from 1968-1972. In 1972, he opened Wilcox Freight Company which is still in service today. Along with Wilcox Freight, James opened Skateworld in 1983 which has served countless Watauga citizens throughout the years. James was a community-spirited person who was an active member of Watauga Baptist Church in Foscoe along with numerous organizations throughout the High Country. He served three terms as Watauga County Commissioner beginning in 1988. He also served as president of the Mountaineer Ruritan Club in 1976 and was awarded the Governor’s Award for “Outstanding Volunteer Service” in 1992 for his volunteer work throughout the Watauga Community.

Mr. Wilcox married the love of his life, Mary Aldridge, on January 26, 1952 while on leave from his military duties. They celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary this year. James loved nothing more than to spend time with his family and friends, and especially loved the time he got to spend with them at the beach. He could often be seen skating with family members, attending sporting events, or chatting with a complete stranger. He also loved riding and showing horses with his son, Mike, and his youngest daughter, Tina.

James is survived by his wife, Mary, as well as one son and three daughters, Mike Wilcox and wife, Joanna, of Vilas; Sherry Russom and husband, Charles Rose, of Boone; Sandy Wilcox of Vilas; and Tina Kostis and husband, George, of Vilas. James and Mary have six grandsons, Scott Russom of Boone; Garrick Jackson and wife, Amber, of Zionville; Jeremy Russom of Vilas; Jason Jackson and wife, Kendra, of Boone; Savva Kostis and wife, Stephanie, of Boone; and Demetreus Kostis of Vilas. Together, they also have four great-grandchildren, Daniel and Nora Russom, and Gracie and Ellary Jackson. James is also survived by seven brothers and sisters, Opal Dancey of Cleveland, Ohio; Ruth Hicks and husband, Mack, of Boone; Bob Wilcox and wife, Barbara, of Blowing Rock; Junior Wilcox of Boone; Charles “Butch” Wilcox and wife, Phyllis, of Lincolnton; Sue Reece of Trade, Tennessee; Billy Wilcox and wife, Nita, of Vilas along with James’ special nephew, Luke, and many, many extended family members and loved ones. James is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arden and Floy Wilcox

The family will receive friends at Hampton’s Funeral Home on Monday evening, August 13, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Watauga Baptist Church in Foscoe, NC on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 2:00 pm. His body will lie in state from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Following the funeral, a graveside service with military rites and burial with honors provided by American Legion Post 130 will be at Mount Lawn Cemetery. Donations are appreciated to local charities in the High Country. Online condolences may be sent to the Wilcox family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.