Day 1672

When I was walking the dogs this morning, a guy stopped us and told me to be careful because there was a big snake up ahead. He pointed toward where the snake was and said I ought to keep the dogs to the right on the trail so they wouldn't get near the snake. I thanked the guy and kept walking. When we arrived at the snake's lair, I looked down and saw a menacing looking coiled up black bicycle tube next to a demolished tire. I'm sure the guy meant well. If you were jogging and didn't like snakes anyway, the tire and tube might have looked a bit like a snake. It definitely looked like a tire to me. I don't like snakes either, but I am slowly learning how to identify them. The ones with round eyes and small heads are generally non-poisonous. The ones with elongated eyes and triangular heads I stay away from. Most of the snakes in the park are harmless, but we do have Copperheads and Water Moccasins, so you've got to be careful.

The Summer heat is taking its toll on Dot. She is walking slower and doesn't have as much energy.  We kept her workout on the underwater treadmill very light today, but I could still tell she was tired. Luckily, the acupuncture session that followed the water therapy relaxed her and by the time we arrived home she was feeling fine again. I still think the water therapy is good for Dot, because she is much stronger than she was before we started these weekly sessions.

I saw dark clouds and heard distant thunder as we were driving home from the vet. During stormy weather, it's a blessing that Dot doesn't hear as well as she used to. She didn't notice a thing. We beat the storm, but it started raining soon after we arrived home again. The minute Dot got out of the car, she smelled the air and knew that rain was on the way. There's definitely nothing wrong with her sense of smell. It rained pretty hard for a while and I had to get under a blanket with the dogs to keep them calm. I'm surprised that this works, but it usually does. Getting under a blanket with the dogs was fine with me. I felt like taking a nap anyway.

The Passion Flower vines are in bloom again. I only see these ornate and rather flashy flowers once or twice a year. These exotic vines usually bloom in mid-summer, often right after a rain. I was lucky to see one this morning, because the blooms don't last very long. Usually, they have withered and died before I even notice them. It occurs to me that I have probably accumulated one of the best collections of local wildflower photos in town. If I could ever learn to identify the thousands of pictures I've taken over the years, I could put together a very pretty coffee table book.

I hope the weather clears up. I don't really feel like spending the day under a blanket with Dot tomorrow. Rain is OK. Thunder and lightning, please go away.

Dolly is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day