Sure, I will be happy to do it

My dog sitting woes are legendary by now. My last dog, Maggie, went without much complaint to nice kennels. She would smell like fear when I picked her up, but she was never sick as a result. She just didn't like it much.

Molly and Baby went to a kennel for the first time when Molly was 3 and Baby wasn't 2 yet. I didn't expect any issues. They went together and roomed together. I picked them up after 5 days in Las Vegas. At 3 am, Molly started puking blood. I rushed her to emergency, and then the next day to my private vet. The cost was more than having a vet stay at my house for 5 days.

I was told that Molly could never be put in a kennel again or she would die.

Then, 3 years later, she developed Addison's Disease, which can kill her if she gets too stressed. Boarding and kenneling were no longer even a less-desired option. Now, someone must come to my house or they can go to the home of someone they know or come to know. They are friendly, after all. They have never met a stranger.

Two trips ago, I found Waldo's brother. Then Waldo's brother did it again. This time, he said yes, then no. Not much advance notice on the no. (He is working more hours now and isn't available as much.) I started calling (again) everyone who might even consider doing it, including some strangers who were referred by others. Child said she could do some of it, but that her work schedule prohibited some days/evenings/nights. I put her on back-up status. A very kind neighbor, Gayly's aunt, offered to also back up. Waldo's brother said maybe he could do a little of it. I saw a small village taking care of my dogs. Not an ideal situation for anyone.

On Sunday I remembered the nice guy who works for my dermatologist who had said he would gladly do it before when I was looking for someone new. He is out of school for the summer, which was a problem before on weekdays. My biggest problem this time was the weekend anyway. I called Cody at the dermatology office yesterday morning and got his cell number after he said he would gladly do all of it, not just the weekend. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. He is the sweetest thing. A mild wind might knock him down, but he obviously loves animals. I was to call him once I knew when I would be home last night so he could come meet the girls and learn the routine here.

I was out for a while, meeting a friend, and I called Cody as I was leaving so he could meet me. I was told by the person who answered the phone that it wasn't the right number. I assumed I had written it down wrong and fretted all night. This morning I called again at the dermatologist's office, and left my number, saying I was at the dentist and would be tied up for an hour, but for him to call me any time after that to set up an appointment to meet the dogs. After all, I am leaving very early tomorrow morning. At least I didn't have any cavities.

By early afternoon, when I was running errands and doing some shopping because I had some free time, after all, I finally decided to stop in the dermatologist's office, make an appointment for a yearly exam since it has been two years, and see if I could get some information on Cody. I made the appointment, and I was told that he was busy but he had left a message on my home phone. I asked if he had said he couldn't do it after all, and she said she didn't think that was the message.

I had not given Cody my home number. He would have had to go into my private medical records to obtain that number. "Mr Hippa" would not approve of that.

That meant I had to rush home, which wasn't on my way for the rest of my errands, and check my messages. Sure enough, I had one from Cody, 20 minutes after I had said I was at the dentist. He said he could not dog sit after all. So, why not call me on my cell and leave a message? I will never know. I didn't get the rest of the errands done, either.

I spent the next 5 hours on the phone, waiting for calls back, and pacing the floor. Cancel my trip? For tomorrow? I hoped not. Gayly's aunt said she would do it all, but I said I would try to fill in a little time with someone else. She said I should not worry, everything would be fine. She is already taking care of her sister and Gayly (the Cairn Terrier) due to some recent surgery. Her husband loves my beagles, too, though. Luckily. After all, they do sleep under the covers with people.

Child returned my call, and grudgingly agreed to two nights, almost 24 hours each time. That is a big help. Waldo's brother hasn't returned my call of 6 hours ago that said I hoped he could call by 2 hours ago, especially since I need my house key back from him. I don't have an extra to give to the child. I have to rush out in a few minutes and get keys made. Waldos' brother's car is in his driveway. I can see it from my porch as I take the dogs out to pee.

I haven't even begun to pack yet, other than I have, as usual, pulled out all the clothes I like and have considered tossing everything else. I also have to get a pole to hang a hanging planter from, since I bought some flowers today. I have a hanging basket and a few flowers to plant in a pot to put on the front porch. I thought I had time to do this before I leave. I hope I can, although it will be awkward to do in the dark. I will now be up all night as usual before a trip, even though I swear every time that I will not let that happen again.

I tried an agency once, and they didn't spend all that much time in my home with the dogs, but charged me more than 2 times as much as anyone else. Molly really does need someone she knows.

It's a lot of work to be a good mom sometimes. They are worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look boss, de farts are coming!

Sunday I had planned to spend my day cleaning my home and preparing for my trip to Arizona. Yes, another one. Late invited me again, so off I go!

I came home after walking with Late (approximately one hour late this time) about 2 pm. Child called and decided to visit me so she could borrow a library book of mine that just came out. We share some authors, which is both good and bad. I have had to pay for several library books because she takes mine and doesn't turn them in or return them to me.

She took one in January when she was supposed to be helping me after my shoulder surgery. It's not returned yet. A few library personnel took pity on me and I still have time to return it. I almost had to pay for it, but a good story goes a long way.

I told the child that she was not borrowing another library book from me. She offered me a deposit of $20.

$20 deposit for a library book? The book costs $25, which means another misplaced book would cost me $30. We discussed it. Meanwhile, she appeared here about 3 pm. I was making chili.

ADD people do things like this. I needed to clean, sort out some paperwork, start packing, make a billion phone calls, run a thousand errands, and I was standing in the kitchen, happily making chili. Child likes my chili. She decided to hang around for a while.

I bought a new toy. I am the proud new owner of a paraffin thingie. You plug it in, it heats up enough to melt four pounds of paraffin. That takes a lot of heat. Hot wax from a candle can really burn, you know? After the wax is all hot and melted, you stick your hand in it.

What? Doesn't that burn? Yes, but it burns good. You stick it in not once, but five times. It builds up a glove of warm wax. You then stick your hand into a baggie called a glove, and then cover that with a potholder type of terry cloth glove. Then you are helpless. Neither hand is available when your nose starts to itch. Or if your bladder gets full. Or the phone rings. Or you need a beer.

Child decided to get a beer. She somehow got it out of the refrigerator. Then she tried to open it with an opener, without the use of opposable thumbs. It was a real Kodak moment, but I wasn't able to take a picture with both my hands covered in 5 layers of hot wax and wrapped in a towel.

The chili cooked some more while we let the wax cool. Then we peeled the wax off. It does nice things for the hands. A nice, bonding spa moment.

I added the beans to the chili. I thought about how the child had disappeared on me for a few months. I decided not to de-fart the beans.

Child ate a lot of chili, then took some home with her. She was going to spend the rest of the evening with her boyfriend. She left here at 8 pm.

She hasn't called me since. Maybe she is busy reading so she can get the book back in time so I will return her deposit?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child's pearl of wisdom

Do not try to open a beer bottle using an opener while in the middle of a hot paraffin treatment on both hands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deflowered

Last Friday I tried to remove some of Molly's stitches. She had 8 separate incisions for the removal of her fatty tumors. I believe in baby steps when introducing something new to a high strung dog. I first showed her the scissors and let her sniff them. She didn't seem concerned. I touched them against her fur, then set them down and did something else.

Later, I picked up the scissors again and touched her with them. So far, so good. I touched some stitches with my hand (as I had been doing for days). I touched the scissors against the stitches. No problem. I did that several times.

I opened the scissors, and went to remove one of the looser stitches, and Molly gave me a look that indicated I was violating her. She huffily jumped off the sofa. I contritely put the scissors back down and went about my business.

Another try produced similar results. Molly tried to call the police to come get me for dog abuse.

I accepted the agony of defeat and called the vet's office on Saturday morning and requested an appointment the same day to get the stitches removed. I expected to be laughed at - holiday weekend? Want them removed on a Saturday? How about right now?

That is what they said. Come on in, we are here until 1:30 pm. No problem, no charge.

I dug out the cloth seat cover I used in the Highlander for the dogs. It was never really clear to me if I used the cover for the dogs or for other people. I just washed it now and then, and hoped anyone sitting there didn't get too covered with dog hair.

The Lexus has leather seats. It was pouring rain out. It was muddy. I put the cover on, and put the dogs into the car in the garage. Baby gets in on the passenger side, but Molly insists on getting in from my side, usually. For her first ride in the Lexus, she decided to get in with Baby.

I got in, drove us to the vet's office. Baby was so freaked out she was panting and squinting. Molly was enjoying the nicer ride. I know she was. She is still annoyed that I won't let her drive, but she proudly on the front passenger seat with Baby like she owns the place. Works for me - no stress for Molly.

We arrived at the vet's office and found the parking lot to be a bit wet and muddy. I dragged both to the grassy area and they peed. They pretty much will pee on command. At the same time. It's entertaining, OK?

A vet tech came right out and grabbed Molly and took her to the back room. I provided a container of the frozen treat I make them that is like Frosty Paws. Neither of them can be distracted from a container of that yummy stuff, so I thought she might sit still better for the stitch removal, since she had so many stitches. I gave Baby the other container while we waited. The dogs do not like to be separated. Baby inhaled her treat as usual.

Molly was back within a few minutes. I hadn't heard any screeching or swearing, so I assumed she had been licking her treat and being a Good Ggirl.

The tech handed me the container. It was full. She said Molly just stood still and let her remove the stitches. Must have been 25 or more of them. She said Molly didn't want the treat.

I then handed it to Molly, who inhaled it while we waited.

None of us could figure that out.

Molly smiled at me, and we went to the car.

Mud. Lots of mud. They get in on my side when we get back in the car so I don't worry about them crossing the seats and jumping out. Lots of mud. Lots. All over my seat. Eight paws of mud. Leather seats. Didn't sink in and dry. I had to sit in it.

Molly smiled again. She settled down, and gave me directions on how to get home.