It occurs to me that I should explain about kicking a path through the dogs - it doesn't mean taking aim and letting fly. It means as I approach the door and they are underfoot and behind me, I give a backward kick without knowing who is back there, a more active equivalent of accidentally stepping on a dog. It usually means coming in contact with the chest of one of the dogs who is too close and making a fuss. They understand that this is what happens when they follow too close, it isn't personal. And unlike dogs getting too close to horses or mules that can kill them with a kick, they're just getting a thud from me that says "back off."

The kitchen is clean this evening, dishes washed, sink scrubbed, various items that usually sit out (silicone sink pads, dog water pan, etc.) ran through the dishwasher and now back in place.