Pictures of Lone Pine Vet Clinic from Dr. Imamura (Challis vet)

Pictures and captions from Don and Sylvia (the Sylvia who can type and hold a camera)

This is a photo of highway 93 in the area of the crash site, taken toward the north. The Salmon River is to the left, the Cottonwood Campground would be to the north, beyond the view of the photo. The area where Rita was found in the live trap was in the area beyond the trees to the right in the photo. As we discussed, Rita may have been seen by the truck driver traveling along the road to the campground to the north, where Duane was also putting out food, or to the south in in the photo to the house where a family was putting food out for Rita, even though they had a number of cats themselves. As you know from your visit there, the area behind the trees was a somewhat open, fairly level half circle rimmed by fairly steep cliffs. The area had fresh water coming under the road in a culvert.


We had some photos that showed the setting of the campground better (grass, trees and river in the background), but the foreground came out blurry. This flash photo is the only one that came out of Duane, so the background is not great. Duane was already putting food out for Rita at the campground and at the 'pumphouse site' behind the crash site. These were the sites where he set up the live traps. I believe Duane told us that this was his tenth year hosting at the Cottonwood Campground. He lives in Arizona in the winter.


This is not a great shot, but it shows Rita in her carrier lying curled up on her back, her position for most of the trip after about her first hour of travel. That position indicated to us that she was pretty relaxed.


Tetsu traveled way in the back of the Tahoe, so he and Rita were well-separated. We think they may not have seen each other the entire trip.


Rita in the motel room in Lovelock, NV. Rita had her own room in the motel--the bathroom--where all her 'stuff' was set up. We also had some sections from a dog exercise pen across the doorway as a back-up barrier. Tetsu never went near the door to the bathroom. Rita showed a lot of interest in exploring further, so we were very careful.

Janet's Blog Letter

Wonderful friends and family

I have just read the fabulous blog that Jill and Am set up when I had the accident. Although I was read most entries, I really don’t have much memory of May and no memory of the accident week at all.

I can’t tell you how much your support, cards, gifts, calls, blog entries and thoughts helped get us through some trying and scary times. Whenever we needed outside help there were always multiple offers. And the help keeps coming in! The blog is winding down as I start the process that will eventually lead to the halo coming off. I plan on the last blog page being a picture of me without the halo. The back brace may take much longer.

Many of you know about my Monday fam-spam where I tell you more than you ever wanted to know about us. If you want to be included just email me at bandjhansen@comcast.net and I’ll add you. I won’t be offended if it is more than your inbox can handle.

Thank you again for your continued support. There are new photos of Rita on the blog.

Love, Janet

Rita, baby

A note from Janet...

All is going slowly but surely. I will knowmore information the first week of August. If people want to keep in touchwith me I am responding to email now at bandjhansen@comcast.net. Thanks.Janet

ps (by Jill)-My mom is hoping to phase this blog out by August (I can hear the addicts' outcry now...) and go back to her usual Monday emails. If you would like to be on her list, please email her at the above address with your request. For those of you who don't know about the "Monday email" (or "fam-spam", as I've heard it called), my mom sends a group email to hundreds of her closest friends and family with the weekly update of Hansen news.

Rita and Sylvia

With the commotion of Derek and Anna running around, my friend Lizzy leaving, and Sylvia and Don bringing Rita's carrier into the house, Sylvia cat disappered under my parent's bed. I don't know what triggered it, but within just a few minutes of opening the carrier, Sylvia cat ran out and came nose-to-nose with Rita for the first time in over nine weeks (see video). Then she and Rita wandered down the hall together and Sylvia cat took a hard left and has not come out from under the bed since. Rita continued to check out every single room in the house, even coming out several times to see all of us in the kitchen. Now she is laying on my mom's shoes in the bedroom in a position where she can see Sylvia cat, who is laying with her back turned towards Rita but looks at her over her shoulder. We spent considerable time with Don and Sylvia recounting all the small miracles that added up to this wonderful big miracle of Rita coming home. All of you who played a part--you know who you are--it's just a beautiful thing. My mom is so happy. SO happy. SO HAPPY!!!

Janet's baby is home!!

And more 4th

More 4th

Happy 4th of July!

The real stuff

I realize I've been just posting non-information lately. My mom actually only had two screws tightened last week, as the new ones were too sore to do right away. Her appointment for the other two is for Tuesday at 9 am. I am sorry we will be gone, as it will be a tough 48-72 hours for my dad, trying to help my mom through her most painful time. She will be attended to by the neurosurgeon and the orthotics expert in the fluoroscopy room at the hospital. Sounds intense, doesn't it? She was in quite a lot of pain last week, it was a difficult time for everyone. This week should be better since she has her pain meds figured out (optimal dose and schedule) and the tightening will be less painful than the two new holes. Otherwise, mom has been released from physical therapy--this was mainly to get her walking safely, up stairs, etc. Her occupational therapist, who is working with mom's shoulder and hand and thumb, will continue to come twice a week. Eventually mom may have to go to her appointments rather than have them in-home. Her thumb still needs a lot of work, but because there isn't any real pain, she hopes not to need another surgery.

She is doing really well with her independence and anxiety. When she isn't in excruciating pain she can be alone for several hours--like this morning when my dad and I took the kids to the 4th of July parade. (Which Derek is now watching AGAIN on the Roseville cable channel during his percussions.) My dad bought the kids fireworks and some of our family is coming over tonight for a BBQ. Should be pretty fun. My mom and the kids made cupcakes and she is in good spirits. I programmed her phone with many of her friends so that if she is panicky or alone she can always use her cell. Also (this was new for me) I recorded Derek saying "Answer the phone, Gigi" and put that as her ring tone. She loves it!!! Amy set up Skype for my parents, so now they can video conference for free online. I'm wondering how long it will be before they buy us a web cam so that they can conference with Derek and Anna.....

Wheelchair fun and a little downtime