From Scooter and Shelley, Happy Valentine's Day

Scooter: Where did we go??

Me: Huh??

Scooter: Why haven't we blogged??

Me: Because of The Wolf.

Scooter: Is that why you sleep?? Is that why you're sick??

Me: Yes.

Scooter: But my adoring public!!

Me: Did you ever hear the song, "You're So Vain"??

Scooter: Huh??

~~~~~

Canis Lupus. The Wolf.

A few years ago, the only "wolf" I knew about was the elusive animal that howled in the night.

I remember when I first started getting sick and everything seemed to start at once.

I was fatigued almost all of the time. I don't mean tired. I'd been tired before and this was far beyond that. I could sleep round the clock and still feel like I needed more.

I ached. My muscles and joints and sometimes my skin hurt.

I started noticing hair loss.

All of this started when I was 30. Welcome to the best years of your life.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. Your body's own immune system looks at you as the invader and attacks you and your joints, and your muscles, and your organs...well, you get the picture. So far I've been lucky. My organs are not affected.

Centuries ago, it was believed that lupus was caused by the bite of a wolf. Since then, the poor wolf has had to bear the name of this disease. It seems more than a little unfair to me.

In the meantime, lupus "flares" come and go. A flare is a time when the lupus is most active and the body feels it the most. During these times, the best thing to do is sleep and let the wolf run its course.

So...that's where I've been for the past few days...giving in to The Wolf.

I have no idea why Scooter is complaining though. He sleeps more than anyone in this house. His vanity will be his undoing. Granted, he does keep me company when I'm sick, so much so that he cozies up against me when I am on the bed and checks on me when I so much as move.

For a cat, he's pretty amazing. Please don't tell him I said that...swelled head and all.

He's sleeping at the moment. No surprise here.

Thankfully, so is The Wolf.

~~~~~

**Incredible Wolf Photo: Tom Brakefield