Avoidance Thoughts

I thought I'd pop in on my blog while avoiding my domestic responsibilities: namely a much-needed trip to Wally World (a.k.a. Wal-Mart).  It's a zoo.  A cavernous air-conditioned cage where prunes and Pringles mingle with maxi pads and mouthwash in complete harmony . . . save for the shoppers.

Panda, the elderly matron of our canine pack, has made her way, oh so carefully on those rickety arthritic joints of hers, up the stairs and found a resting spot close to me here in the study.  I've snapped off a few shots of her graying visage for those not-too-distant future days when she's gone and we're down to Hank, Fabio the Cat, and occasional visits from Abby the Grandpup.  Today is an especially relaxing and happy day for her as the Hankster is presently recuperating from a triple-threat surgery this afternoon at our vet clinic; he doesn't return home until tomorrow.  His rear dewclaws, that one baby canine which refused to budge when the adult tooth emerged, AND his yet-to-be-exercised (except on his doggy bed) manhood will NOT be returning with him.  Ouch!  Poor sweet baby.

There was a rather exciting and unexpected development courtesy of my Facebook instant message feature: my cousin IM'd me to ask one question and it led to a discussion of our individual blogs.  THAT may lead to a promising joint-venture down the road.  I'll keep you posted.  Meanwhile, she's sending me a little package!  I love me some good snail mail.  Wheeee!

(In the middle of it all, I'm inserting eight random pictures of the precious subjects and summer events of my 2011 life.  Enjoy.)

I discovered I have a talent for undressing.  My iPhone, that is.  The other day, Hank was acting the fool and had to be directed to his man cave for a cooling down session (you might call it a kennel).  In the process of escorting him, my iPhone was launched from my waist clip and landed in the dogs' water dish.  Well, I slammed that kennel door shut in a flash, lunged for the submerged technological lifeline, and moved with an efficiency and speed I've not hitherto witnessed in myself.  You've never seen a girl undress an iPhone so quickly!  Perhaps you've never seen an iPhone undressed.  Period.  But an Otter Box, the type of protective cover I use, is a rather cumbersome prophylactic consisting of a hard endo-skeleton which envelops the phone, clipping securely into place at several key points, and a flexible rubbery outer shell which fits snugly over the other piece.  It takes some doing, especially with my newly arthritic finger tips, to get the thing off my petite Girlfriend.  Possible water damage and replacement costs, however, are superb motivators.  Not to mention a nasty surge of adrenaline.
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Well, the above post never made it online before I was forced by time and circumstance to run the aisles of Wal-Mart.  Hank has returned home.  He can't seem to stop licking his suture on his hind leg where his dew claws were unceremoniously nipped off.  Actually, it's not a suture but a staple.  And as the paperwork stated without delicacy of verbiage, he was also castrated.  That emerging male dangle is depleted . . . left to hang behind him like a deflated hair-balloon.  I know.  Sounds rather crass.  But I'm not trying for that.  For some odd reason, I felt a mother's pride when it became apparent that my once helpless male pup was crossing the threshold into his adulthood with all of the promise of becoming a proud sire.  Now, he has been deprived of that right to at least practice carrying on his bloodline on anything but his new forest-green doggy bed (which is a handsome color-contrast against his white fur).  Yes, yes, it was necessary.  Can't have anymore homeless pups in the world.  Don't need the extra aggressiveness and territorial-marking that often follows on the heels of masculine maturity.  Intellectually, it all makes perfect and sound sense.  Emotionally, I'm glad he can't think into things the way his owner does.

Though this entry lacks finesse and cohesiveness, or maybe a theme, I'll post it.  My free drink coupon at Starbucks is burning a hole in my purse.  My cute new haircut requires the benefit of a quick color.  Much needed rain has drenched the yard.  And I've got to pack for an overnight with a good friend who is ready to celebrate turning 40 in quiet and friend-oriented fashion.  I'm hoping for a deep-tissue massage.  I feel the need to melt like butter.