Moving Through
My research assistant got hit by a car while biking (hit and run) that resulted in breaking his arm, then got swine flu and went home to NC early instead of finishing the work. So I had to pull long hours before leaving for MN to get part of that done.
Pip and I drove out to MN to go to his annual family reunion thingy (happens to be where we decided to meet up in person the first time, Ely MN) and since flights were expensive we opted to drive and take the dog with us. Stopped in Chicago overnight each way. We all had a good time and the dog was thrilled and also the best behaving dog I've ever seen. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such a well-behaved dog, it's ridiculous. He understand invisible boundaries innately (I presume when I'd turn to look for him he'd decide that's where the line was) and would stay on docks/decks/beaches and within a close area when out in the woods unless we ushered him away at which point he would go bounding off happily. He would come back without having to ask twice even when something really, really cool like a duck or a ground squirrel was there, or even when strange dogs were visiting or aggressing him slightly. He swam (even though he was very scared) and came canoeing (even though he was very scared and uncomfortable) and he was excellent and we had great fun. He was a bit spooked when he heard wolves in the distance and couldn't see past the campfire (I think he felt responsible for protecting everyone sitting around it) but otherwise seemed to have a blast and just slept and looked out the window in the car the entire time.
It was in MN that I noticed that Phil has been getting really skinny. He's lost weight since then as well. I take every opportunity now to take him out and fill him with calories, because I can see his muscles and his ribs and his tendons ever more. It scares me like nothing to this point has. I try to get him to eat at least a shake and a burger a day, cookies, etc. I still can't get him to move up his appt. Other than that I'm doing well. Except for the sensation of fiber glass needling into my whenever I move around or make contact with things. The random bleeding from face has stopped so that's good. Grr, I always forget how much I hate fiberglass.
Pip and I drove out to MN to go to his annual family reunion thingy (happens to be where we decided to meet up in person the first time, Ely MN) and since flights were expensive we opted to drive and take the dog with us. Stopped in Chicago overnight each way. We all had a good time and the dog was thrilled and also the best behaving dog I've ever seen. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such a well-behaved dog, it's ridiculous. He understand invisible boundaries innately (I presume when I'd turn to look for him he'd decide that's where the line was) and would stay on docks/decks/beaches and within a close area when out in the woods unless we ushered him away at which point he would go bounding off happily. He would come back without having to ask twice even when something really, really cool like a duck or a ground squirrel was there, or even when strange dogs were visiting or aggressing him slightly. He swam (even though he was very scared) and came canoeing (even though he was very scared and uncomfortable) and he was excellent and we had great fun. He was a bit spooked when he heard wolves in the distance and couldn't see past the campfire (I think he felt responsible for protecting everyone sitting around it) but otherwise seemed to have a blast and just slept and looked out the window in the car the entire time.
It was in MN that I noticed that Phil has been getting really skinny. He's lost weight since then as well. I take every opportunity now to take him out and fill him with calories, because I can see his muscles and his ribs and his tendons ever more. It scares me like nothing to this point has. I try to get him to eat at least a shake and a burger a day, cookies, etc. I still can't get him to move up his appt. Other than that I'm doing well. Except for the sensation of fiber glass needling into my whenever I move around or make contact with things. The random bleeding from face has stopped so that's good. Grr, I always forget how much I hate fiberglass.