Day 3704 - Valentines Day

I wasn't going to go to Sprinkles this year, but then I remembered that Dawn had never had a Pupcake. I had to go. Pupcakes for the dogs has been part of our Valentines Day tradition for a very long time. It was nice that we have a dog around the house so we can continue this tradition for another year. I got some cupcakes for us as well, but this year the day was about Dawn. Janet and I are both really happy to have her as a houseguest.

It was a beautiful day, but the temperature was only in the twenties when I woke up this morning. No pipes froze and it was back above freezing by mid morning, but this was still very cold by Dallas standards.  I'm glad I removed all the water from the roof a few days ago. It would have all turned to ice by now.

I tried the new neighborhood restaurant this morning and it was terrible. I like a good breakfast taco as much as the next guy, but this wasn't the place for me. There was certainly plenty of food. I got my meal in one of those tin foil pie pans piled high with Chorizo, breakfast potatoes, and refried beans. There was a stack of flour tortillas so I could roll my own breakfast tacos, but the food got cold before I could finish it. I'm sure this gutbuster of a meal was exactly what most people wanted, but I should have gone back to the hotel and had French Toast. I wish I knew I was in the mood for a soothing meal before I had consumed a huge plate of Chorizo.

Janet had already left for the gym by the time I returned home. We've been leaving Dawn at home for short periods of time so she will gain some confidence about being alone. Dawn was fine, but I could tell she was glad that her people had returned. She gave me a big Dalmatian smile and started wagging her entire body. I waited until Janet returned to go on my walk. There was no sense in leaving Dawn alone again.

It didn't take me long to realize that this morning's breakfast was going to give me a major case of heartburn. When will I ever learn? I need to be eating cottage cheese and peaches for breakfast instead of  chorizo and refried beans. I thought that a long walk might settle my stomach, but all I got was sore feet. I should have listened to Dawn. I could tell she wanted me to take a nap with her.

I never did get started on my Solar Orbiter story today. I'm so slow that I ran out of time. I guess I was busy enough. I just didn't do what I intended. I paid some bills and took them to the post office. I went to Sprinkles and got cupcakes. I picked up some things for dinner at the grocery store. And I tried with limited success to bleach the stains from our recent roof leak out of the kitchen ceiling.

I'm sure my story would be easier to write if I had a deadline to meet. Deadlines motivate me. My recent trip was fascinating and there is definitely a story here. I just need to get it done before the Solar Orbiter becomes old news. Maybe tomorrow. The only thing that could stop me from writing tomorrow is roof repairs. The roof repairs do have a deadline. I need to find this leak before the next rains arrive.

Dot is today's Dalmatian of the Day

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Day 3070 - Dash's Birthday

Dash is a trooper. Despite some serious medical problems, we made it through another year. Dash is not as strong or as agile as he used to be, but he is still a happy dog. On a good day I think Dash will be with us for many years. On a bad day, I wonder if he'll make it through the night. Luckily, his birthday was a very good day. Dash ate well today and took two walks. He didn't stumble too much and really enjoyed the little party we had for him after dinner.

Janet and I used to bake and decorate special cakes for each of our dogs. We don't have the energy now, so I just went to Sprinkles and got him some Pupcakes. He seems to like these just as well. Hopefully, we'll be able to celebrate again next May. Tomorrow morning we have a vet appointment so he can get his annual Leptospirosis vaccination. We'll find out whether the infection on his lip has cleared up and if we can discontinue the antibiotics that upset his stomach. Next month, we will see a different vet at the cancer center for a follow up exam and an echocardiogram. It's not surprising that Dash doesn't enjoy going to the vet anymore, but he wouldn't be alive today without the excellent care he receives.

I got a surprise in the mail today. It was a rather large bill from the roofer. There aren't supposed to be any bills for repairs necessitated by defective materials. The roofers have been out many times before to repair the faulty elastomer coating and this is the first time I've received a bill. The roofer eventually agreed that I didn't have to pay the bill, but I could tell that he's getting tired of dealing with me. Hey, you and me both. I'm not really enjoying this either. Now, I'm wondering if the roofers will ever come back and finished the rest of the repairs as they promised. Today was definitely a setback.

I got a Fitbit today and when I went to set it up, the app said I already had a Fitbit account. Hmm. This was confusing, since I don't think I've ever owned a Fitbit before. Maybe I have though. These activity trackers don't last very long and I've owned quite a few. When I was setting up the device, I remembered why I started using Jawbone trackers in the first place. It's too bad that Jawbone made poorly constructed, flimsy equipment and went out of business. Their software was always the best.

Dash drags his rear legs so badly now that repairing his rubber boots has become a full time job. I hope I'm not pushing him too hard, but it's really important that he keeps moving. I wish he would let me take him for water therapy in the underwater treadmill like I did with Dot. Unfortunately, riding in the car has become too stressful for him. We limit car rides to essential vet visits now. There's just no point in stressing out a dog with a bad heart.

I called an electrician today but he told me that it would be two weeks before he could come out and fix my backyard security light. Hey, two weeks is fine. If he actually arrives in two weeks, this will be the fastest repair I've been able to arrange this year. I'm still trying to get the landscaper and the tree trimmer out here and it appears that all bets are off with the roofer.

All in all it was a good day. I had some frustrating encounters with suppliers, but Dash had a great birthday. He's sleeping it off now. Hopefully, we'll both sleep well tonight and be ready for another day tomorrow.

Casey is today's Dalmatian of the Day

Watch of the Day