Flannel Shirt

Izzy's big, scary day

Today was Izzy's vet appointment. She needed a couple of updates for her shots. They gave us a dog tranquilizer which we managed to give her a couple hours before we went. She was a little loopy, staggering a little walking to the car. It was not something she wanted to do. We got through it, though. She was nervous and when the vet came up to her Izzy, as is her way, peed all over her. But she got her shots and we came home. She's been doing a lot of this afternoon and tonight. We took an abbreviated walk this evening. She didn't have the usual get-up-and-go so we cut it short. She's kind of dozing next to us tonight. 

We didn't quite hit ninety today, so the record number of ninety-degree days is still just tied. 

Otherwise, things are quiet. Football is only three and a half weeks away. 

Izzy in the backyard

Izzy's a desert dog. It's been in the high nineties the last few days and Iz seems to love it. She's taken to lying down in the hot sun for stretches at a time. Not too long, and she makes sure to drink enough water when she comes back in. Those breezes off the Pacific Ocean that the weathermen were talking about finally came in this evening. We opened the windows and the let those breezes in. 

Pure heaven.

The back of Izzy

First, I apologize. I haven't figured out how to rotate the pictures in this program.

This is my typical view of Izzy when we go up the staircase at the end of the block. There is a ridge that runs east-west at the end of our block. That's why we're a dead end, at least for auto traffic. We get lots of foot traffic, people coming down to our neighborhood to have dinner at the Laurelwood or head over to the carts. 

My knee's been doing better the last week or so. I try to judge the route of our walks with the distance. There are certain blocks that have lots of plants. It's like she's walking through her favorite library, each plant or tree a good book. It really stimulates her. 

It's was another day in the nineties today. This afternoon we were the exchange site for Oliver. Mommy dropped him off and four hours later Mama picked him up. We set up the little plastic pool in the front yard, O showed up with his trunks, and soon Olin from down the street and Ramona from across the street were there. Lots of splashing. Good for the lawn. 

Back from vacation

They got back yesterday afternoon, but reports have it that someone did a lot of complaining about how long it took for them to get back home. And she said something about "there better be ice cream" or something like that. 

Well, today I extended our afternoon walk over to the food carts. I like bringing her up there just to hang out among people, but something else is happening. The man who runs the Chinese food cart, always has this stern look on his face. But the last time I was up there with Izzy I talked about her and he smiled. Today I got myself some pork and fried rice. Izzy was fidgeting, have to keep her on a short leash, but she attracted lots of attention, good attention. I think it's her eyes. They are golden. With her wheat-colored coat her eyes are magnificent. And the Chinese chef, when he called me over to get my order, looked down at us and smiled. This guy never smiles. And he smiles at Izzy. 

Izzy et al

That's Izzy, of course, from when we went to the dog park earlier in the week. Yup, she's a beaut. 

That storm coming down from Alaska seems to have chosen Canada instead. It's going to be cloudy but no rain. Last night Joan said tomorrow is going to be a rest day. Laundry and watching the Olympics. The Winter Olympics are going on. Have you watched any of it? We watched the dance skaters tonight. The problem with watching this stuff is that they keep going for perfection and someone always falls. In fact, they almost all fall. I used to get really bothered when they fell in past Olympics. Not so much now.

Otherwise, things are pretty quiet. 

You may have seen this

Or you may have seen a picture similar to this. That's about all I've got tonight. We have some pictures from taking the dogs to the dog park earlier in the week, but tonight my email server is temporarily down. 

We did have almost a week of dry weather. It started coming in this evening. On our last walk Izzy did her business and we headed home. Didn't take the scenic route. 

Iz on the internet

Iz at ease

By the fireplace

Iz isn't afraid

That's Joan's computer, Joan taking the picture. Every day Izzy gets braver. Right now she's sleeping on Joan's foot.