A Non-update Update

Things are still unchanged on the home front for the most part. No interest in the old home place and the trailer is still standing for the moment. My parents are doing relatively well. The doctor said my father's pneumonia is finally cleared up. He is still weak and thin and relies on my mother an awful lot. He goes for a CT scan in a few weeks to see if the cancer is spreading. We are a bit anxious about that. I'm finally making some headway financially. I actually have gotten a few more pieces of jewelry out of the pawn shop and caught up a few bills. Next check should be free and clear of any bills for a change. Woohoo! I'm still attempting to get into a regular exercise routine instead of the hit or miss I've been doing. Thankfully, I haven't gained any weight back through the holidays and parental stress. I've been able to fit into more of my old clothes, so that makes me happy. Work is work. I'm still waiting on the final word for my FMLA status. That has been a long drawn out process in itself. I'm glad the holidays are over, inventory is finished and all the returns are drawing to a close. I've been tweaking the resume to send out soon. Still want a better paying job with a better schedule.Izzy is still the best dog ever and I love on him everyday. Tommy is still Tommy and who knows if we are friends or not sometimes. Whatever. I just go with the flow when it concerns him. Jessica and I went to Chilli's last Saturday after work and had a great time with another coworker Lu Anne. It was unplanned but fun to break my routine of work, home or parents everyday. Richard, the cute guy that moved to Delaware last year, text me Happy New Year. So did Jim. Things are still slow with Jim. Not sure where that is headed. I'm just playing it by ear. I'm not waiting on him and I do chat with other guys in the interim. My social life could use some improvement. So could my sex life. I'm use to it so it isn't that big a deal. It will happen when it happens. So far so good this year. Overall, I'm happier than Ive been in a while despite it all. 2012 is gonna be an ok year I think. I'll just have to wait and see how it goes.

Meh...

Nothing has really changed around here lately. My father is still on the continually slow decline health wise. My parents have managed to get to the lake house twice this year so far. I'm glad about that. Who knows when will be the last time they get to enjoy it together. I'm still battling the bulge. In fact, I've actually gained about 10 pounds. I attribute it to stress and lack of selection while at work. Tommy is still looking for work. I do wish something would come along for him. On the romantic front it ain't gonna happen I'm afraid. I'm disappointed, but what can you do? They either like you that way or they don't. Apparently he don't. My wonderful Izzy is still wonderful and a great reason to be home. I can't imagine my life with the pooch. Jessica and I have had drinks a couple of times after work. I stay for one, though if it wasn't already a long day, I'd love to have more! Work is work and a paycheck. Nothing to get excited about. I keep applying for jobs when I find something that interest me. So far nothing. I'm playing the lottery, cause you can't win if you don't play. No one has invited me to any parties this year so far. I have been to the naked pool a few times this summer, but it's losing it's appeal. It's just so far to drive. My parents place is still on the market. Only a couple of half ass offers that they haven't even seriously considered. I hope it sells soon, but doubt it will. My mother is holding up pretty well. No more mentions of Hospice. They go to the doctor next week, so we will see how it goes. I guess I'm stuck in a rut, as usual. Bored out of my mind. Still lonely to some degree. Basically, I decided I'm not gonna give a shit anymore. Somebody wants me, they are gonna have to put forth a tremendous effort. And life goes on.....

Animal Buddies

Izzy running around my parents' back yard.

My parents' dog, Ginger.

Gin-Gin being a good little girl.



Stop taking pictures and pet me!

Who Put That There?

Yesterday, I was waiting for my mother to pick me to go shopping for a few things for their new digs, so I took Izzy out. We made a couple of rounds, him sniffing and peeing as usual. He would gallop, then walk, looking down the road for a car to chase, or a squirrel to bark at. Business as usual. We rounded the trailer once more, he spotted his nemesis. A free roaming neighborhood cat. I have no idea who it belongs to, but it's seen all over the 'hood. He ran out to the end of his leash, straining to tear through the barbed wire fence into the pasture where the cat, stealthily stalked its prey, unaware of his impending doom, should Izzy get the chance. I held on tight as he jumped back and forth, tethered to me. He would stand up on his hinds legs for a better view down the pasture. I spoke soothingly to him, told him not to bother the cat. He listened and quickly was ready to run some more. As we rounded the other end of the trailer, while at full gallop, he glanced back at the cat, but kept moving forward. He ran smack into a pole near the neighbor's trailer, shoulder first. He piled up like a train wreck in slow motion. I was startled. He had managed to miss it for 4 years while pulling the same stunt. I moved toward him to make sure he was alright. He gathered himself together, shook it off, and continued on like nothing had happened. I never laughed so hard in my life! I finally got him to come to me after he recovered from his embarrassment. He was fine. No damage done. I was thankful. I was still laughing when my mother drove up. I had to relay it to her. She chuckled. I'm sure after I put him back inside and left, he thought to himself, "Who put that there?"

Good Boy

Last night I was a bit lazy, so I ordered a pizza for delivery. I happen to notice that afterward, Izzy sat by the front window. He would move around, look at me, then return to his post. It got me to thinking. I bet he has figured out what pizza means! He loves pizza crust and the occasional slice I give him, so maybe he has put two and two together. Smart dog! So today I figured I would list all the words or phrases he seems to understand. (And I love list.)

1. Come here (when he feels like it)
2. Jump up
3. Bed time
4. Go outside
5. Go inside
6. Sit
7. Go poopy
8. Stop (sometimes)
9. Shake
10. Izzy
11. Fetch
12. Eat
13. No
14. It's okay
15. Gimme a kiss
16. Wait (again, when he feels like it)
17. Pizza

Now if I could teach him to wash dishes and vacuum, I'd have it made!

OMG

Here is something interesting that happened last night. I hesitate to mention it but think I would feel better if I did, so here it goes. I went to bed early around midnight, usually I'm up till 1am or 2am. Despite my two naps during the day, I was a little worn out. The "pup" and I settled into the bed, with him under the covers with his head toward the foot, all snuggled up against me. I was having a hard time falling asleep, so I just tuned into his breathing and listened. After about an hour of this, his breathing changed to very rapid and shallow. I figured it was doggie REM. He usually does it fairly quickly, with little barks and growls and some jerky foot motion to go along with it. I listened but this seemed different. I had closed my eyes, visualizing myself sleeping. Then, his breathing became more rapid and shallow like he was hyperventilating. That's when something odd occurred that snapped me back to reality. I could have sworn I heard "Davey, help me". Startled, I rolled over to see where it came from. It sounded like it came from Izzy. Now I've had interesting things happen to me before, but never heard a dog speak. His breathing pattern continued and he almost seemed to have a convulsion. I petted him and lifted up the covers. He woke up, jump down and laid beside the bed on the floor. His weird breathing continued a bit longer. He then moved to the other side of the bed to sleep on the rug and was fine. He rejoined me under the covers later on that night. The strangest thing about it, if that's possible, was he didn't seem himself in some way. And the only person that ever call me 'Davey" was my grandmother who passed 20 years ago. Of course, never having "heard" my dog speak to me before, maybe that's his preference. Regardless, it was an interesting night. I feel like I need to go back to bed again and sleep.

Catching a Dog

This is the results of me chasing Izzy around the house for 2 days, trying to get a picture.

No that isn't porn on TV, it's Hot Nude Yoga. I was trying to get a pic before he stuck his nose on the camera, again.

I caught him snoozing this afternoon, on his loveseat. He looks so sweet!

He finally gave up running from me and sat down at the door, then reluctantly posed.

My Buddy

Let me tell you about my best friend in the world. He is quiet the character. He is a very handsome animal and smart too. I got Izzy when he was 9 months old from a breeeder. He is a German Short hair Pointer. A bird dog basically. He loves to be running around outside. At home, if I'm here, I take him out maybe 15 times a day for a stroll around the trailer. We make 3 or 4 laps and he is ready to come back inside. He is always on a leash with me. I live to close to the highway and he doesn't always listen when he is called. Now when I take him to my parents, he runs free and plays with their little dog. They have more land and are further from the highway. After about 20 minutes or so, he is ready to go. He will run a fast as he can all over the place. I love to watch his ears flop and his tongue laying out the side of his mouth. Just too cute. When my new camera arrives, I hope to get some pictures up.

At home he lays close to me most of the time. Or he will chill out on the sofa while I'm at the computer. When I watch DVDs, he'll lay beside. I'll rub him for hours. He won't move unless I get up. He will even rotate from side to side or over on his back to make sure I rub everywhere.

He also sleeps in the bed, under the covers with me. He puts his head toward the foot of the bed, uses my feet for pillows and butts his but up against me. I use to wonder how he didn't suffocate, but he doesn't seem any worse for wear. Now if we take a nap on the bed together, he will lay beside me on one side or the other, with his head on the pillow. He rarely wakes me up when he moves around. He makes a great bed warmer.

He is just over 4 years old. In great health. Fun to be around. Now that he isn't a puppy any longer, he rarely tears up anything in the house. He lets me know if he really has to go outside for his business. He has the most beautiful gold eyes and a spotted coat that is beautiful. Surprisingly, for a large dog that weights over 70 pounds, he is quite timid around strangers, especially if they try to pet him. He runs toward me. He does warm up after a while but is still cautious. Loud noises scare him whether inside or out. He has the cutest face and sweetest disposition. I love my dog. He's my buddy. I don't know what I would do without him. My life would be so empty. I would be devastated if something were to happen to him. He is my life.