Stories of Lincoln, Abbey and Lightning
by HinTN
In 2008, Abbey and Lincoln, our sister and brother, chocolate and black, block-head labs, were in the prime of their lives. One day this gangly blonde dog appeared by the mailbox at the bottom of the drive. Every day for the rest of that week I would say, “You go on along.”
We didn’t need another dog; the labs were 105 and 115 pounds of muscle and they pretty much filled up the back of the Corolla Wagon when we took them hiking, which they loved to do. Nonetheless, that blonde dog did not just move on along and one day Abbey took matters into her own paws. Clearly, she told the dog to come on up the driveway and get in with the good life, because that’s where I found him upon returning from work.
Mrs H and I discussed the situation and agreed that we could have the vet do all that would be required to get him ready for the Animal Harbor to offer him for adoption. In the time it took to get all that done, this very well mannered, although skittish, blonde Shepherd – Retriever mix (so the vet said) had wormed his way into the household and we now had a Black, Brown and Beige trio. We named him Hamper’s White Lightning, Lightning for short. Magically, he fit in the back of the Corolla with the other two just fine.
Lincoln and Abbey in 2002
Abby’s Misspent Youth
Abbey and Lincoln are long gone across the Rainbow Bridge to join all those previous pets that are waiting for us to show up so they may once again enrich our world. (I learned to my dismay that big labs don’t have the lifespan for which I had hoped.) However, they are with us in a pair of bronze sculptures that Mrs H got for my birthday, and which teared me up when she presented them.
?
Lightning is with us, although he’s beginning to show his age.
At 91 (dog years, if you believe that old trope), he still insists on the daily ride and run that he conditioned me to deliver many years ago. I’ll load him up in the truck and drive him around the 4 mile loop so he can get his snoot out in the breeze and see what’s up. Then, at the corner about half a mile from the driveway, I’ll let him out and he’ll “run” home. He used to manage 20 mph effortlessly but now he’s mostly about a nice saunter.
After the curve, I’ll leave him behind so I can have his meds ready when he gets home.
He does still make a good faith effort at running alongside. Not bad for a 91-year-old!
There’s a lot more to Lightning than his daily ride around the cove and run. He’s a big brother to the cats, Phantom and Franklin. He and Franklin, being blonde guys, have a special bond.
Having been brought into the family by two very active outdoors dogs, plus having spent some time with coyotes (according to vet that got him all spruced up), Lightning has always been a nature boy. Here he is in 2013 on his way to and at our friends’ place out near the bluff of the Cumberland Plateau.
He’s really happy in the woods.
Although he’s never been much of a swimmer, he’ll go wading almost anywhere.
He’s always been good at lounging around waiting for someone to give him a skritch.
This is his absolute fave position, with his people either in the kitchen or on the porch.
So, there’s the canine History of the World, Part I. The saga of our feline overlords will have to await another day.
Open Thread: Saturday Morning (Political) Cartoons
ThresherK
But you repeat yourself.
We had a few Labs while I was growing up, and I miss them greatly.
Dorothy A. Winsor
What a happy story. Thanks for sharing it and the pics. The dogs’ personalities come through
HinTN
Please gun water girl I’ll be back in an hour when we get off the road at the beach.
Gretchen
How did the vet know about coyotes?
raven
great pups
Baud
Handsome.
trollhattan
Abbey and Lincoln are proud representatives for Labs everywhere. Phantom and Lightning lolling on the drive prove that critters have better lives than we do.
I can’t chance having a Lab because of the koi pond. Our supposed water dog–webbed feet and all–doesn’t even know how to swim, so far so good.
WaterGirl
Next week we’ll have one from Avalune. Still not sure what time would be best.
If a weekly BJ pet thread is of interest and you have a preference on day/time, please chime in below: Door #1: Friday evenings, Door #2: Saturday morning at 10am, Door #3: Saturday afternoon sometime.
WaterGirl
@Baud: Are you looking in the mirror, or talking about the pups?
beth
Beautiful happy dogs- you can tell how much you love them. I had to say goodbye to my 15 year old lab this month – for those with a BJ calendar she was the white dog ignoring her annoying brother cat on the cover. It’s weird not having a dog in the house – they really become such a big part of your life.
Yutsano
DOGGOS!!!
That is all.
Baud
@WaterGirl: The pups. I said handsome, not gorgeous.
@beth: My condolences.
LaenCleardale
The perfect depth of water for my Golden is just enough to make it look like he’s swimming while walking on the bottom. He’s always very proud and makes sure I’m aware of how well he’s “swimming.”
WaterGirl
@beth: I’m so sorry to hear that. It must be bittersweet to have her on the cover.
WaterGirl
The word “Furry” is used very loosely here. If you enjoy writing or telling stories about your non-human friends – pups, cats, gerbils, etc, the whole menagerie – and you have some photos to share, send me email and we’ll get you on the schedule.
Is there a better name than Furry Friends?
Suggestions so far, many of them from Leto:
Diamond in the Ruff
The Good, The Bad, The Pugly
Catty Shack
Misadventures in Pet Sitting
Fur Get Me Not
Puptown Girls
Endless Pawsabilities
Game of Bones
Animal House
Furball Fridays
Furry Fridays
J R in WV
@WaterGirl:
Why not all three?? I kid, but more pets is better all over than fewer pets!
=========================
The photos are great, a fitting memorial to your lost pups. Thanks so much for sharing them with us~!!~
zhena gogolia
@WaterGirl:
AWWW
All the dogs are lovely. Very nice story in OP.
trollhattan
@beth:
Aww, sorry! :-(
We “made” it four months between dogs after our first died. It was not a good four months, but rushing to pick a critter probably isn’t the best idea, either.
tybee
@WaterGirl:
Saturday morn at 10am
eclare
You are a wonderful story teller! What sweet pups.
WaterGirl
@J R in WV: It look like Lightning is still going strong!
Loved the part about the third dog miraculously fitting in the vehicle where there was no room for another dog.
WaterGirl
@trollhattan: @beth:
I swore I would never have just one dog again when I lost my Bailey about 10 years ago. I am not one to go out and find a new dog or kitty right away, but it felt so wrong with no dogs in the house that I got Tucker before 30 days were up.
eclare
@beth: I am so sorry. There is no joy coming home to a dogless house.
Josie
@HinTN:
Lovely dogs. Lightning looks a bit like my late Akbash, but a bit smaller. She was a gangly girl of about 140 pounds.
raven
@trollhattan: Wait until you get to the point that you wonder if you have another one left in you. These two are hobbling along but at 15+ the long term prognosis is not great.
Laura Too
This is so wonderful! Thank you. We had a chocolate lab who was a blockhead, but personality plus. We lost him to cancer and it was so traumatic we said never again…until 7 months. They leave such a big hole when they go.
WaterGirl
@raven: I cannot imagine you dog-less. No way.
ellie
@Gretchen: Yes, how did the vet know about the coyotes?
WaterGirl
@ellie: Sounds like HinTN will be back later, hopefully he will tell us.
beth
@raven: Yes I’m pretty sure I can’t handle another big dog at my age (having to help her up the last few months had taken a toll on my back) and I thought no more dogs but on my walk today I saw a little Yorkie and thought “I could handle that”.
John Revolta
GO LIGHTNING GO!! YAY!!
They’re saying now that the 7-year trope is good over a whole lifespan, but it varies over the course……..that is, they age faster than that when they’re younger, and slower than that when they’re older……………or vice versa perhaps, I don’t remember, having acquired nine dog years myself! Anyway my buddy Otis is still chasing the ball pretty good at about 70 so it’s good to see Lightning still going at it!
cckids
I would love, love a regular pet profile; what an uplifting idea :)
I vote for Friday nights, but any time would be very welcome.
As an aside/family covid update; my niece and her husband are somewhat better; antibiotics and rest are helping. She tested negative for the virus, but the “self-administered” version of the test leaves me quite skeptical. They are still just hammered, tired all the time, but slowly improving.
Their kids (1.5 and 3.5) are here now, visiting Grandma & Grandpa (my sister & her spouse) Not a great idea, by my lights, but I do not get a vote. Thank you to all who were concerned and asking after us.
WaterGirl
@beth: I hear you. I won’t get a dog who weighs more than I can pick up if I need to in an emergency.
There is something wonderfully solid about a bigger dog, though, and I’m sure you miss that, too.
BruceFromOhio
Wonderful story! Thank you for sharing!! Such elegant dogs, and nice pics.
@raven: I bought that Bull Cook book for MrsFromOhio, gave it to her on Mother’s Day. She sat and flipped through it on the spot for a couple hours, enjoying it thoroughly. Thanks for the suggestion!
WaterGirl
@cckids: So glad to have an update on your family. As far as I’m concerned, if it looks like COVID and acts like COVID, I don’t give a crap what the test says, it’s COVID.
My foolish neighbor who is maybe 30 and a HS teacher has several friends over. It’s incomprehensible to me how so many people think that they can dictate the timetable for this virus.
Sorry about the rant, I will now return to the originally scheduled programming. Pet profiles is a good name.
Ruckus
@beth:
One of my neighbors is normally in a wheelchair – polio, and she has a white and black short haired Chihuahua named aptly “Oreo.” Little bugger is more than enough for apt living for a senior. As a senior I wouldn’t want a doggo that weighed more than 25-30 lbs.
Lightning knew when he’d found his home. Smart dog. Good looking too.
WaterGirl
@Ruckus:
Oh my gosh, I lived in a sabbatical house for a year where part of the deal was taking care of the two Chihuahuas.
Holy cow-ski, I would never have a Chihuahua after that experience. I would say “what a handful” if that phrase could be multiple by 100.
Kristine
Love the pups!
My Gaby is supposedly in her mid-70s according to latest calculations. But she still gets me out for morning walks, weather permitting (and for her, anything short of thunderstorms is permitting. When she was younger, we hiked through near-blizzards). Now, after an easy 3 miles, she still occasionally lets loose with the zooms after I let her off the leash. She’s a medium-size dog—40 lbs—so I’m hoping for a few more years.
Tdjr
I loved the story of the white dog making his way home. Beautiful doggos!! Thanks.
J R in WV
The furry kids are great, I’ll send in some pics of our hounds and cats. The little girl pup, not really little at all, is really cute with her freckled front end and belly, and with a white tip on her tail, otherwise shiny black. Her brother is glossy black but for little a white stripe down his chest and belly. Older dog is a blonde lab country mix, much larger than the black pups. All sweet.
Less prone to jump up on the bed and land on top of us, as we scream and carry on when that happens. They are perfectly capable of sneaking into bed without making a sound, but the broad jump is so much more fun, after all.
Off Topic:
Regarding the news about Hertz filing for bankruptcy, couldn’t happen to a better nasty greedy outfit.
We have used Enterprise rentals almost exclusively for many years; they seem professional and are convenient to many of the places where we need a rental, like the Tucson airport and the garage where we maintained our truck in AZ. When I fly out to AZ, we need to rent a 4×4 truck to access the camp, bring in firewood, new stuff, still getting furniture for example. Enterprise is far more able to provide a truck than Hertz, which usually appears to want to rent luxo barges to people on an expense account.
We arranged a trip to Denver through AAA a while back, and they have some financial hookup with Hertz, and in theory reserved a VW rental at the Denver airport with Hertz.
But when I showed up with luggage, the young woman at Hertz refused to offer to provide anything but a Mercedes Benz vehicle. In retrospect I should have just walked away and called Enterprise, which was maybe 1/4 or 1/2 mile away. Or asked her to walk among available vehicles with me. Or looked for a manager. It was outraging and arrogant.
Eventually she condescended to offer a Rover SUV, which wasn’t terrible. BUT… It was the last time I will deal with Hertz ever, and probably the last time I will deal with AAA past airline tix. I suppose she doesn’t care about the damage she did to their brand, but there it is. This bankruptcy is only a formality, the whole outfit isn’t involved, which is a shame. They deserve to go broke, more than most businesses. I would imagine some hedge fund bastards plan to evade their responsibilities via bankruptcy corruption.
I obviously still get worked up about it.
Joy in FL
I love knowing about your dogs. Thank you for sharing some of their story.
Old Dan and Little Ann
My black lab Yogi will be 2 in August. 60 pounds of compact muscle he is. Lightning looks a lot like our old rescue, Yeller. That son of a bitch ran every chance he could and was broken, soulless, and incapable of affection. If he ever made it to the rainbow bridge he certainly kept on running. Don’t miss him. Lol…
Cowgirl in the Sandi
Loved the pic of the rear view mirror with Lightning racing along behind and then hanging out the window. So cute! What a good pup.
CaseyL
Lightning at “91” is more energetic and active than I am at 64!
I do delight in dogs. Being a cat parent, I get my doggie fix vicariously.
I have to say, I kinda wonder about that Rainbow Bridge thing, where all the animals you’ve ever had are waiting for you. Most of the cats I’ve had were and are the jealous/possessive types. My idea of Heaven does include all the animals in the world, but it does not include refereeing cat fights!
beth, I am so sorry for your loss. That is such an excellent photo, capturing their personalities; I just love the expression on her face.
J R in WV
@beth:
A good friend who has a big construction company had a tiny little maltese or pom or yorkie who rode with him everywhere in the company pickup truck. Probably 4-6 pounds and lots of fuzz.
Named Chuck Norris… So cute and friendly.
J R in WV
Our youngest black pups are not quite 50 pounds, but very athletic, don’t mind crummy weather so far. When I take the trash down to the barrels on the county road, it’s not quite 1/2 a mile by road, but of course sometimes the dogs follow me both ways, and sometimes they plunge over then hill to cut off a couple of hundred yards.
But coming back home, they always race alongside the vehicle, and can pace me at 30 mph on the level. They manage about 20 up the little hill to the turnoff onto the driveway. Old dog thinks they’re crazy to do that!! Not sure how to manage a photo shoot while driving… will have to study on that.
pamelabrown53
@J R in WV:
Is there an inside joke about the name your friend chose for his tiny dog: Chuck Norris?
For instance, I could imagine naming a pet pig Sarah Palin.
trollhattan
@raven:
Oof, that is something entirely else to ponder.
My plan, not worked out in detail, is to guilt the kid into handling future pets longterm. Not sure when to let her in on the scheme.
HinTN
@WaterGirl:
That was supposed to be “Well done WaterGirl,” thank you voice to text.
Lightning is still going strong.
ETA:
We made it to the beach!
trollhattan
@J R in WV:
Have cautiously tried dog on leash, me on bike to give him a legit high-speed run. (Being in the city means leashless is off the table.) I do not have to do any work whatsoever, expending less energy than sitting on the couch. The scary bit is keeping the leash free of the controls, because if it caught a shifter or brake lever I could find myself losing skin in a heartbeat.
He loves it. Mid-20s has been the highest speed so far (since he’s dragging by butt).
trollhattan
@HinTN:
“Please Gun Water Girl” sounds like either an Elmore Leonard or Russ Meyer title. I approve.
HinTN
@Gretchen: Something about the type of ear mites he had.
pamelabrown53
@trollhattan:
I’m contemplating the same plan! Problem is my spouse who is a deteriorating 80 may ruin our baby to the point that I’ll have to threaten disinheritance! :-)
Does anybody here have crazy cat lady/person or doggie person stories that are problematic?
Where it’s not the pet that’s the problem? At least not an unsolvable one.
Sorry to introduce negativity into this lovely thread. Still I can’t believe I’m alone in this issue.
WaterGirl
@J R in WV:
Do not attempt that. :-) Sounds like a John Cole accident story in the making.
WaterGirl
@HinTN: I was hoping it wasn’t what it sounded like! :-)
At least 3 of us are wondering how the vet was able to discern that Lightning had been hanging out in the company of coyotes.
John Revolta
@CaseyL: In heaven, all the cats will be dogs.
HinTN
@trollhattan:
O.M.G. it’s a good thing I had swallowed my slug of tequila/fresh OJ/strawberry when I read that.
WaterGirl
@John Revolta: It’s my understanding that in heaven, everyone is happy as a clam. Though I have no idea how clams can be happy.
trollhattan
@HinTN:
Cheers! And a tip-o-the-hat on a successful title pitch to Netflix. :-)
J R in WV
OK, country white lab dog just came home. It’s pretty here today, springlike with sunshine.
White dog’s muzzle is dark today with mud, as are her front legs. She has been poking her nose into a hole, hard. We have had dogs to the ER Vet for sliced up noses when they got too, too close to a big rodent with very sharp teeth. They will bite you if you get close enough.
I have a photo which I will share. Also, last bud on the orchid is opening up today!! Spring is so great, I feel so young, it’s as if I was only 60 or so ~!!!~
;-)
NotMax
A touch o’ topical tuneage.
@WaterGirl
Should think it is obvious.
Heavy Petting.
;)
Scamp Dog
@WaterGirl: I don’t have a preference about the scheduling, but I do have some great stories about Biscuit, my Border Collie of beloved memory. I’ve put some of them on my blog, so you can take a look and see if they might work for posting here.
trollhattan
@pamelabrown53:
Friend who lives in a nearby city has become a crazy cat bachelor. Has a house set, an office set, and several feral squads that he tends to daily (i.e., drives around town with bags and cans of food to distribute). He also has a business to run and I do not know how he budgets the time. One thing for certain, planning any event with him involves a time tango, in which we pad the time knowing he will be delayed at least one hour. I’m certain he knows we’re doing that. But how do you make reservations?
His GF used to keep it at least a little in check but when they split up, it became all cats all the time. No idea how this plays out, but I won’t be the least surprised if he sells off his share of the family bidnez and becomes an actual cat. Anybody know what Nastassja Kinski has been up to?
WaterGirl
@NotMax: Well, you were the one who suggested Medium Cool for BG’s Sunday night culture threads.
pamelabrown53
@trollhattan
Terrific response! Only problem is he’s not your spouse/partner. 24/7 is a different level.
I, too, would love an update on Natassia Kinski (sp).
WhatsMyNym
@J R in WV: Yeah, Hertz went downhill after Ford sold them, though corporate accounts have been their big item. I don’t ever remember seeing SUV’s or pickups on their lots.
Always been a fan of Enterprise. Even when I worked for a small competitor.
ETA: Wikipedia says that “Carl Icahn holds approximately one-third stake in the Hertz brands and controls three board seats”. That explains a lot.
WaterGirl
@Scamp Dog: I think so. Why don’t you shoot me an email sometime later this week and we can figure it out.
stinger
Great story, great pics. Thanks — those are always needed.
Ruckus
@J R in WV:
When I worked in professional sports, I traveled about 30 weeks a year. Hertz was the best for someone like me. When you are a regular they take care of you. Reservation on line, arrive at airport, walk out to the big board and see your name and spot your car is in, walk over get in and drive away, all paperwork is done. Once I had to go to the desk and the clerk told me I was in the top 5% of Hertz renters. Since I left that job I have rented one car from them, it wasn’t my best car rental experience. But every other company was worse from a weekly renter perspective, some far worse. But traveling for work is different than traveling for yourself. All you want is not have the plane crash, have your car ready and the least interaction with the system as possible. I’ve had the last flight canceled on me before and I found it was better to sleep on the terminal floor than take the airline up on their provided room. It’s always across town, in a cheap hotel and you get 2-3 max sleep before you have to get up to catch the bus back to the airport. I’ve slept on the floor at ATL a few times. Best ATL story was 9/11 but that’s another entire kettle of fish.
raven
@Ruckus: I had friends who were in Tibet on 9/11!
NotMax
@WhatsMyNym
Member of our gaming group has (or had, perhaps – haven’t touched base with him for some time) a job installing GPS systems for Hertz on their rental fleet. Might be a proprietary system, not sure about that.
Big guy. I’d guess 6’2″ and most definitely weighs not an ounce less than 280. Somehow he manages to get into position to fiddle about behind the dashboard for the installations, including on the Corvettes Hertz offers here for beaucoups bucks.
HinTN
@trollhattan: I expect my royalties to support me in the style to which I could begin to become accustomed at the beach.
raven
@HinTN: It is a stone zoo on the Emerald Coast today.
Yutsano
I just had a friend announce his sister died of cancer. The worse part for him is she’ll be buried in Israel and he’s stuck in the US. He’s a permanent resident so there would be no guarantee that he would make it back even if he were to go. He’s devastated even if they weren’t necessarily close. Even without COVID he could run into issues returning to the US. I really feel for him right now.
NotMax
@raven
Top o’ the world, ma!
:)
HinTN
@Ruckus: One time I had to be in DC around 1300 the following day and my afternoon flight out of Nashville was canceled. I refused the offer of a room and the first flight out the following morning, preferring instead to fly to Miami and on to National that night.
HinTN
@raven: Not bad here (NC) given that it’s Memorial Day and everyone’s crazy to be out.
NotMax
@WaterGirl
Okay then, how about Companion Pieces?
Mary Ellen Sandahl
@pamelabrown53:
Not if you were fond of the pig (and many pig owners are)!
Origuy
I’m a Hertz Gold member and it does make it really easy to get your car and return it. One of my organizations also gets a small cut when I use the right code. Having said that, I don’t always use Hertz. If I want an SUV, and I occasionally have, I usually go to Advantage. They seem to have a lot in their fleet; sometimes they’ll be out of economy cars and offer an SUV for the same price.
It’s going to be a while before I travel again, though.
Origuy
The peregrine falcons that nest on the San Jose City Hall have hatched three eyases (chicks), a female and two males. It’s feeding time.
Mingobat (f/k/a Karen in GA)
Lightning is a beautiful doggo with excellent taste in homes. I’m also wondering about how the vet figured out the coyote experience.
I’d love a lab, but I’m allergic, hence my hypoallergenic trio of small-ish dogs.
prostratedragon
“Nature Boy,” Ahmad Jamal
MissWimsey
@trollhattan: I just tried this today with my dog. All it took was a bunch of geese and ducks to derail that idea. I ended up with a skinned elbow and knuckle and I haven’t looked at my knee yet. The next time I try that I’m going to wear protective gear and I’m staying out of the park! I haven’t had a spill like that since I was a kid … ouch!
J R in WV
Actually, Enterprise treated us like that once we were on our Nth consecutive rental at Tucson Airport.
Refusing to offer a less expensive vehicle to a potential customer is not how you do well in business.
Show your Id, they show you a truck. Once in 10 years there wasn’t a 4×4 available, oops. I spent the night in town, ran some just got to town errands, early afternoon when I was done with that, they had a second 4×4 truck for me. Helped me move the firewood into the second truck, too!
Stayed at a favorite hotel, great dinner, drinks, so OK with that experience.
Have spent a night at Hartsfield, didn’t try to go to sleep as I stood in line all night to rebook, instead of going on to Tucson, returned home, as was too late to get to the meeting I was heading to AZ to attend.
NotMax
@Miss Wimsey
Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry
When I take you out in the surrey
When I take you out in the surrey with the fringe on top
.
;)
J R in WV
@pamelabrown53:
Just the obvious contrast between Combat Chuck and puppy, Andy has a good sense of humor, little grin on otherwise somber face.
HinTN
@prostratedragon: Thank you for that. The man is amazing. We had tickets to hear him at a great venue this winter and life got in the way. I fear I won’t have another chance.
Groucho48
One of my favorite Abbey Lincoln songs…
https://youtu.be/XhdIggM4HoI
debbie
Beautiful beasts all!
debbie
@WaterGirl:
Yes, please! These photos tug at my fossilized heartstrings!
WaterGirl
@debbie: Great! No preference for day and time?
debbie
@WaterGirl:
I’m always behind in threads, so it doesn’t make a difference. I just love seeing the pictures.
WaterGirl
@debbie: Sometimes I feel that we are experiencing the reverse Velveteen Rabbit with Trump, especially now with his depraved indifference – at best – in this time of COVID. We have sharp edges and break more easily. It truly is sad.
Miss Bianca
@trollhattan:
@MissWimsey:
Ahem, yez two…Trollhattan, Miss Wimsey, meet the Springer. Springer, meet these two. Wouldn’t run a Husky, for example, on a leash with a bike with anything but one of these attached.
Miss Bianca
@WaterGirl: I like “Animal House” and “Game of Bones” myself. Or “Furball Friday” if it goes on a Friday night.
WaterGirl
@Miss Bianca: I kind of liked NotMax’s “Heavy Petting”, too! Do you think that one was too much? :-)
I liked Furball Fridays myself, and had seriously considered moving it to Friday just so I could call it that, but then multiple people yesterday said they thought Saturday would be better. :-(
WaterGirl
@Miss Bianca: Or I could be a real rebel and call it Furball Fridays and then post them on Saturdays anyway.
BigJimSlade
@HinTN:
Yeah, I was trying to figure that one out. I thought maybe it was an inside joke or some typo I couldn’t figure out.
Anyway, you win the Internet for the day for the sweetest post!
debbie
@WaterGirl:
Lovely. I still have the teddy bear my grandmother gave me when I was born. I tore off all its fur, bit by bit. My cat used it for a scratching post. It’s seen horrors no being should ever see. Yet it persists.