December 22, 2005 Archives

22 Dec '05, 2.36pm EST
Originally uploaded by geoff_fox.

Are we not dog friendly? Did Ivy leave some secretive exposé, only released beyond the grave?

Today, finally, we were taken up on our offer. Helaine's friend Amy dropped off Sydney.

Sydney is 12 years old and a cross between a beagle and another breed, not strong enough to overcome beagle length legs.

As a young dog, Sydney was sedentary. Now, as a grown up, Sydney is a master of preserving her energy by staying motionless for hours. She came with an oversized, rectangular, dog mattress. It's in the family room now. When I get home from work, I guarantee it will be at the foot of our bed.

Scratch Sydney's back and you'll come away with another full dog's worth of fur! Though I have to admit, she has a very soft and smooth coat.

Amy brought Sydney over with a full page note. Slacker! Helaine used to prepare 4-5 page 'care and feeding' notes for Ivy.

This will be a good time for Sydney. Helaine and Steffie (and I) will cater to her every need. Helaine says she might never leave the house or let Sydney out of her sight.

That only sounds like she's kidding if you don't know Helaine.

This dog will live one helluva "mondo cane¹" at our place. However, just in case, I've already gotten her paw print on a non-disclosure agreement.

¹ - Though Google will translate this from Italian as "world dog," the idiomatic translation is "dog's life." There was a movie in the early 60s named, "Mondo Cane." It's stuck out in my mind, and so I've used it here. Trust me, Sydney's life has nothing to do with that movie.

You know I get excited about Letterman's last show before Christmas. It is Darlene Love, Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) night. My DVR is set and I will force my family to re-watch the segment... more than once.

I don't want anything to spoil that for me.

Bah humbug!