To Buy or Not to Buy

That is the question!  For someone who is opinionated (as I usually am), I sometimes let people talk me into buying what I don't want.  I shopped at Pet Club last night (a local CA business centered in San Francisco).  I like that their prices are great, their selection is overwhelming, and their employees are knowledgeable.  But I wanted a bag of puppy food for large breeds, and the woman kept talking me into one that she swore was good for ALL dogs.   I knew better.  How can the same food be the best for a doxie, yorkie, lab or golden retriever, boxer, etc.  So now I need to return the bag of puppy food and get what I was advised by the vet.  It makes sense that a puppy who is growing into a big active dog would need stronger legs, bones, etc.  I could train this dog to be a hunting dog which would require him running through the woods, retrieving, swimming, etc.  His needs are definitely different than a lap dog!  (I won't be doing any of that training by the way, because I don't have the legs for running through woods, retrieving, swimming, etc.)

Right now, as I'm trying to type this blog, he is looking for trouble to get into!

I haven't mentioned the possible move in a few days, and I'm still not certain but I'm leaning toward the duplex with the big fenced back yard.   I like the fact that I have stores near me such as Pet Club, Dollar Store, Sportsman's Club, and Smart & Final (which I rarely shop at), but since I had to turn back when Rocky got closer to the traffic noise and congestion, it doesn't matter that it's close.  I can't walk him there.  With the duplex I would be at least a mile from shopping but while there is traffic, there are also sidewalks which should make Rocky feel more secure.

The current tenants of the duplex are expecting their first child and would like to move back closer to family.  They have 6 months on their lease, but may move sooner (or later) than that.  I'm really not in a hurry especially with winter and holidays approaching.   I could also change my mind during the waiting period.

I love lazy mornings, but it's time for me to get dressed and possibly do some cleaning before Rocky needs a walk.  T.G.I.F.

I cooked today!

I don't often do it, but when I do I make enough for several meals.  I recently saw a Youtube video of a man cooking chicken ala king, and it sure looked and sounded good to me.  So I ordered a few ingredients I normally don't have on hand, such as mushrooms and heavy cream, and the order was delivered late yesterday.

I couldn't put this off because I had thawed the chicken and had to use it, so today was the day.  I haven't eaten any yet, because Rocky is getting close to his afternoon feeding time and I just wouldn't eat in front of him.  But I tasted the sauce and it is wonderful.  I don't know how it will reheat when I have the leftovers, but the flavors are great.  

I started to walk Rocky to Pet Club and the dollar store this morning.  As soon as we left the park, there is a short street, fairly busy as In 'n Out Burger is here, plus one of the entrances for Shell gas station.  This bit of street leads to a 6 lane divided blvd., Sunrise Blvd, which is heavily traveled all the time.  We didn't get half way down the short street to the blvd when Rocky started getting nervous and didn't want to go on.  I decided I wouldn't put him through that at least at this age.   The sound of trucks and cars were too much for him.

I changed his food yesterday for a brand without many ingredients, and selected a bag with no chicken - but it has salmon instead.  He has been having trouble as I mentioned, and I noticed every one of his "treats" plus his food contains chicken.  Poor little thing -  one thing I wanted to get at Pet Club is some treats he can have - some beef, bison, etc.  He also needs a new collar as well as a harness - I'm not sure whether to get both but want to talk to someone at the store about it.  Several people we meet in the park recommend a harness over the collar for all times.  He walks like a perfect gentleman when he's with only me, but the minute a person appears he goes crazy.  I'm afraid he is going to hurt his trachea with the excessive pulling.  Do any of you who use a harness take it off when they are settled inside the house?  I can't imagine it being comfortable for a dog when they are sleeping, and we all know that's their favorite thing to do next to eating! 

 I have 2 pills left for tomorrow, and one for the following morning, and then I'm finished with that prescription.  It seems to be working but I'll see.  It could be the sandals I mostly wear, that rub across my toe.  I'm wearing athletic shoes now and Rocky loves to sneak up and untie the laces and chew on them.

Time is flying by, folks.  We passed the middle of October already!  I'm looking forward to cooler weather and hope we get some here, but I'm sure not looking forward to 2019 which isn't all that far away.   (I will be another year older by the time we reach 2019!)

By the way, next-door neighbor Ed is alive and well and bought himself a car!  That's why I thought something had happened to him and he had to have someone stay with him.  I sure wish I could find an inexpensive used car!

I'm still waffling back and forth about whether to stay here or move.  At least I don't have to make up my mind immediately, although I need to start weeding out stuff I don't want to take to another house.

Remarkable Memory!

When Rocky and I are out walking and a vehicle approaches us or comes up behind us, I always make sure we are close to the curb and then stop.   Rocky sits, and we wait for the car or truck to pass, then go on.  I do this for our safety but also to let the driver know we see him or her, and that we will "stay" until they are past.

I'd forgotten about that this morning and on our walk he stopped near the curb and would not move - Duh!  I realized there was a car coming up the street in back of us.   I often  wonder who is training who!   Sometimes I am struck with awe as to what he retains and how quickly he learns.  I'll keep trying to fix the jumping and barking, but it might just be one of the stages he'll go through.  Even kids go through stages during  their childhood.

 Night-time lows are in the 40's lately and I love it.  I have a lightweight thermal blanket plus my comforter and I'm warm and snug.  Rocky has his labrador double coat so he doesn't mind the chill at all and sometimes snuggles up against me, but on top of all the covers!

I was supposed to visit the oncologist this afternoon, but Jeannie just realized I didn't have the blood work done.  I called for another appointment and the first available is Jan 8.  I can wait.

The dog park was empty so I took Rocky over after lunch.  I don't like it at all.  There was no one else there, but it seems depressing to me.  Such a relatively small space, with  a couple of big tables and lots of chairs for socializing.   Two folks who live nearby take their big dogs in when no one else is there, to throw a ball to their dogs.  I tried that a couple of times with mine and he went for the ball, but dropped it and found something else to do.

The Park has taken some of the available space in what is a very small area (especially with 10+ dogs in it) and made it even smaller with big stone planters surrounding the large trees; making a pathway with some sort of very finely crushed stone, plus big concrete areas for the people to sit and socialize, and just generally trying to cram something in too small a space.  I may try it another time.

It's walky-walky time according to my little timekeeper!  Have a good day.

Still Hobbling Around

As prescribed, I'm taking the antibiotic twice a day for 10 days, and I'm now on Day 6.  I don't notice a whole lot of difference, but then I am rarely able to sit with my foot elevated.  I still have to walk Rocky several times a day, and there are just things I need to do which require being on my feet.  I'm so depressed about this I could cry.

I found a small plastic container I can use for a foot soak, have the epson salts ready, and as soon as I try doing that I'm going to be fending off Mr. Nosey who will not "leave it".

Speaking of Rocky, I have been working with him and can really see improvement.  But it all goes out the window when we meet someone on our walks, and even more so if they also have a dog.  It's so frustrating to see him put his worst paw forward, when he can be so good when no one is looking.

Class No. 5 out of 6 this evening.  If they want an evaluation at the end of the series, I'm going to ask Jeannie to fill it out.  She does better with what they are teaching, whereas  in certain areas I do much better with my old "tried and true".  I sometimes find good Youtube videos, but this morning I started to watch one on keeping  your puppy from jumping.  I didn't watch long, when the trainer started talking about "markers", "clickers" and such.  Sometimes I feel like I'm too old to be alive, and I'm not even 78 yet!  (Too close for comfort though).

Trip to Urgent Care

I've had a large inflamation on my big toe for the past few days - it only hurt for one day but the redness and slight swelling is constant.  I have no idea what could have caused it - it started out as a tiny little spot that itched, and then became much more problematic.  Last night Jeannie drove me to an Urgent Care center near their house - I've been there several times and was always happy with it.  The doctor prescribed me a round of medicine - I think it's an antibiotic and told me to stay off my feet as much as possible while keeping the sore foot elevated.  He didn't blink when I told him I had a puppy to take care of, go for walks, etc.  He just went on talking.  I have to walk Rocky but I'll try shorter walks at a time, which I had already started doing.  I am so sick and tired of doctors and medical issues I could   scream.

I was full of plans for walking Rocky and had several ideas for training him in areas he definitely needs training.   The woman who does the training classes is nice and means well.  She often mentions her dog and uses him as an example, but it's a small dog.   I don't think she has a clue in the world of what a lab is like to live with.   He's absolutely adorable, but he's also absolutely maddening when it comes to something he has a different idea about.

My neighbor on one side has had a visitor for several days - probably a daughter or d-i-l.  This morning there is a "For Sale" sign in front of the house, so whoever is there has probably been getting the house ready to sell.  Ed is in his early 70's I think, but has had a lot of health problems over the years I've lived here, and he is brought home from a bike ride, or taken away in an ambulance, more times than I can count.  Last time a huge fire engine pulled up in front of his place and he walked from it to the house.  A fireman pushed his bike for him.  He's always been pretty active for the shape he's in, but I've often wondered about the wisdom of riding a bike at his age and condition - he'd be better off walking.  He has always been a good neighbor and is very friendly to all my family when they come by.  He thinks my two sons who trim the bushes, work on the roof, etc., are the greatest.  When Joe trims the bushes in my yard he will usually go do Ed's as well.  It looks like a for sale by owner situation, and I hope it doesn't stay on the market long and end up being snatched by a real estate agent.  If and when I sell mine I told Steve I'd let him handle everything and take a commission!  When I see the grim details in the news about the economy, I think I should stay put right where I am, continue with the plans for fixing up the back yard for Rocky, and forget paying an extra $600+ a month for additional rent and utilities.   

My dear puppy is barking at me and I haven't figured out yet what he wants, so I'd better go try!  

Have a good weekend.

What does the future hold?

I wish I knew what to do.  My 3 kids here in Sacramento met with me last night at our favorite local craft brewery.  The dog behaved fairly well, and the kids love the playroom there.  

My kids want me to move and have a place in mind, which is owned by Jeannie's next door neighbor.  She owns several apartments and duplexes in the area - in fact, my niece Tammy rents a duplex from her, and the one in question for me is in the same area.  It has more rooms than I need but the back yard is grassy and HUGE!  There is room to even grow a small garden, plus lots of room for Rocky to play.  The neighborhood is close to Jeannie & Donald, and is very walkable.  I was against it because of the rental cost until Steve showed me the back yard on his phone, and then I was sold.  

The people who live there have 6 months on their lease, but may or may not leave before the lease is up.  That would give me time to fix what needs to be fixed to sell my house.

Six months is a long time although it will probably whiz by, as does my life in general these days.  In 6 months I hope to have  Rocky trained a little better and he will be close to a year old - still a puppy for a lab, but maybe a little better behaved.

Speaking of Rocky, he is certainly a handful, and a typical labrador retriever - energetic beyond belief, extremely intelligent, funny and beautiful to look at, and lots more.  When he sees me having difficulty he spots it right away and is visibly concerned, and it's a special feeling that I couldn't have imagined.  On the other hand, I don't know how he does it, but whatever room he is in, asleep or awake, he can hear the freezer door open and he is there in the blink of an eye.  I have never had ice cream last this long!

I just heard something rustling in the background, and looked up to see ol' Rocky working on a roll of paper towels with the same enthusiasm he  attacks a roll of toilet paper.  I am absolutely stumped at how to correct this behavior - but I suppose I should correct myself first.  I had been doing some cleaning and must have left the paper towels within his reach.

Trouble

Jeannie and I ran a few errands early this evening, taking between 1 and 1-1/2 hrs.  I figured Rocky would find something to do to get in trouble.  The video isn't the best, i.e., lighting etc., but you get the idea.

He ruined two rolls of toilet paper - fortunately they are from the dollar store and are 4 rolls for a dollar.  So 50 cents worth of t.p. kept him occupied while I shopped.

Earlier this afternoon I found a single dollar bill in his crate with about 1/2" torn off the side, which I also found near the crate.  I have no idea from where or how he got it - I can't imagine him getting my wallet from my purse and taking a single out of it.

Life with a puppy is never a dull moment.