Day 2845

Dash's new boots are doing a good job of protecting his feet, but they're already starting to wear out. This is probably because we're using the indoor version of the boots while we walk him outdoors. The outdoor boots are stronger, but they are so stiff that Dash can't walk while wearing them. Maybe they work for some dogs, but I don't know how. I'm going to have to go looking for some of that rubbery stuff that you can use to repair running shoes. I could probably patch the worn spots in these boots for a long time if I could find another can of this stuff. Nobody is very interested in stocking things that can be used to repair shoes. They'd much rather just sell you a new pair of shoes. The dog boot folks would probably love to sell me a pair every week, but they are much too expensive for that.

I stopped at REI on my way to the gym to look for the rubber sole repair goop, but of course they didn't have any. There were hundreds of shoes to choose from, but nothing to repair them with. They did have orthotic inserts, which I was also looking for, but they seemed way too expensive. $50 for a little extra arch support? I don't think so. One of the orthotic insert brands said it was made from recycled wine corks, as if this would justify the price. Jeez. These are just cheap house shoes I'm trying to fix. I refuse to pay more for the insole than I did for the shoe.

I've been doing better at the gym lately. I don't know what this means, but I'll take it. I'm still not any closer to my goal of three trips to the gym a week. Dash has a major vet appointment this week where  we will recheck his heart to see if the blood clots are becoming smaller. The refrigerator repairmen are scheduled to come out again and install the new mother board that is supposed to fix all my problems. I need to go buy some St. Augustine grass to fix the front yard. That pretty much takes care of the week. On the odd chance I get some work, I'll really be busy.

Janet cleaned the brick floors yesterday, so I finished the job by cleaning the carpeted rooms today. It's amazing how dirty our house gets, considering how careful we are not to track mud and dirt inside. Dash is pretty clean too, although he does shed a lot. Dalmatians actually shed more than long haired breeds. If you have a Dalmatian, you'll find dog hair everywhere. I've found it inside my computer, inside the refrigerator, and once an appliance repairmen told us that the reason our dryer had quit working was that dog hair had gotten into the main bearing of the dryer drum.

Dash went outside and started eating grass right after we gave him his evening  meds. This always makes us nervous because the medicine he is taking now is very important and we don't want him throwing up before the meds have a chance to work. We brought him inside and have been trying to keep him calm. It is not an easy task. For the past thirty minutes or so the house has been very quiet. I think this means Dash is asleep. I don't want to wander out to the front of the house and check though, because I might wake him up and start him barking again. He needs to stay calm for at least another hour.

Let's hope we make it through the night without an incident. I'd actually like to make it all the way through next week without an incident. Especially Friday the 13.

Madison is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day