Death of a Friend

We just got back from the vets; Zippy's longtime companion Melina, a 16 year old Aussie Cattle Dog, had to be put to sleep.

We're pretty weepy here....even though we know it was the right thing to do. She had cataracts and slowly went blind over the past 5-6 years; that slowed her down a lot. A few weeks ago, started to get incontinent and went off her food. We've been trying to feed her a special diet, then chicken, then Ensure....but she was not eating, nror drinking. She was getting dehydrated. It was time.

RIP Melina, you kept us safe and brought us much joy over the years. Join your long time rival Mauzie, and Nipsy. We'll all be there soon enough.

RIP Alex the Parrot

Alex the parrot has passed away. "Here was a bird that in many ways did better at language than chimps."

Odd coincidence; Zippy is reading Temple Grandin's Animals in Translation, and as he's reading, I get little snippets, anecdotes, and comments - related to our dogs, dogs in general, an argument he had with his dad about animal intelligence, you name it. Just now, he started talking about a smart parrot. I recalled reading a story about a parrot that recently died. (Zippy avoids the media, so has not stumbled across the story yet) Of course its the same parrot.

Weird serendipity.

Names and Dogs and Home

In "The World According to Garp", Garp spends some time going through the phone book, looking at jobs and careers he might enjoy. Fodder for his writing. I'm in the process of helping a client selling tickets to a holiday event, so I am seeing a lot of names. And it's been pretty fun just looking at the names - they are certainly diverse, eclectic, and fun.

As far as dogs, I got to meet two today - a smallish white something (that was not a pug) at the studio who was adorable and lovable (and who I told, sincerely, I want one just like you) and today at the office, a Welsh Springer Spaniel - I love Spaniels (general) and Springers (particular) - my longtime companion Nipsy was an English Springer Spaniel, and a Welsh Springer is close enough.

Busy night - I think I might end up at the CARC Uberman event tonight, and then off to a late kirtan practice in WH. Tomorrow - work, yoga (maybe), work, setting up for kirtan, work, and then home to get ready for kirtan.....

Today, I made it back to power yoga. Nykki noted my absense and said "Welcome home" before kind of catching herself and saying "Welcome back". She had it right the first time....good to be back on the mat.