I called for a vet appointment partly by way of apology to the old Lab - I'd covered the dog door because he was out barking, but this time staying inside had him really distressed. I uncovered it when he wasn't going to settle down and go to sleep and realized later that I'd probably brought him in before he took care of business. Poor guy, and once again, reminding me that what I require (not barking at midnight) is not necessarily what he needs, so next week I'll ask about how to keep him comfortable.

About a week before Poppy passed away we were on a walk and she was so slow I returned to the house and let her in then walked the others; when we returned she was still sitting in the same spot. I felt bad - I probably shouldn't have tried the walk to begin with, but didn't know she was so close to the end. And I should have walked her into her bed when I brought her home. Reading what they need* and getting it right is a challenge.

The house is disorganized and there is a lot of paper that needs filing. It's time to start my income tax return and I need to mail my absentee ballot and hope it is accepted. These Texas GOP politicians are doing everything they can to reduce the turnout.






*If you reach the stage where you have to offer canned food, it is the end.