Day 2457 - Labor Day

When I was taking Dash on his morning walk, we encountered a lady leading two blind men down the trail. She told the men that they were approaching a Dalmatian and one them asked if he could pet Dash. Soon, both men were using their hands to get a sense of what a Dalmatian looked like. I was proud of Dash. He was gentle and let the blind men examine him from nose to tail. After a few minutes the men thanked me and we were on our way. It was a crisp, cool morning with a nice breeze. I closed my eyes for a moment, listened to the birds, and realized that the park was still a beautiful place even if you couldn't see.

Janet convinced me to get out of the house today, so we decided to explore the new neighborhood that had developed around the recently opened Santiago Calatrava bridge crossing the Trinity River. Actually, I think the bridge has been open for almost four years, but it still seems new to me. I remember this area as a run down industrial neighborhood filled with old construction equipment, rusting cars, and sleazy bail bond businesses. Gentrification  has changed the area into a place filled with trendy restaurants, art galleries, and even a highly regarded craft brewery. We were going to eat lunch at the brewery, but it was closed for some inexplicable reason. We ate at a nearby barbecue place that wasn't quite as good as some of the barbecue joints in our own neighborhood. We walked around a bit so we could get a better view of the bridge and then we went home. I'll have to admit that it was a good idea to get out of the house for a while.

I was convinced that we were going to have to spend the rest of the afternoon cleaning Dot up when we returned, but she was still asleep when we got back home and hadn't pooped in her bed at all. I was initially pleased at this unexpected development, but later became worried when she didn't want to get up at all. She seemed very tired today. Maybe it was just the weather. The cool early morning breeze quickly turned into a scorcher as the day progressed. Dot still seems weak and a bit shaky on her feet, but I hope the extra rest she got today will make her feel better tomorrow.

I rarely eat lunch anymore and purposely ate a very light breakfast so I wouldn't spoil my appetite. Nevertheless, the meal we had at the barbecue place still seemed enormous. I used to eat like this all the time, but it doesn't seem right anymore. When I got home, all I wanted to do was take a long nap. I think a good breakfast, no lunch at all, and a light supper is the way to go. All those lunches I had with friends years ago probably helped to build my business, but I doubt that they did much for my health.

Tomorrow, it's back to work. I will begin another new writing assignment in the morning and I've got a dentist appointment in the afternoon. Eating healthy and taking care of my teeth are two things I should have paid more attention to when I was younger. I guess it's better late than never. I take good care of my teeth now. I take good care of Dot. And I try to eat sensibly. Sensible never even used to be part of my vocabulary.

Allie is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day