Dog Days of Summer

How convenient that I have a dog staying with me during the actual dog days of summer. Although, I think they may have started in June this year by the feel of the oppressive heat wave that has been going on for months now. So you're probably wondering how the dog and I are adjusting. It's a slow process. She does a lot of things I don't care for. The lapse in freedom is difficult to come to terms with too. I also have to hustle home from work now and make arrangements if I'm going to be late. I have had to figure out a solution for an overnight business meeting I have next week. I had to cancel a trip to the Smoke around my birthday too. The adjustment has not been without sacrifice. I think she is winning on that front. She is walked twice a day, brushed twice a day, fed once a day, and gets her treat once a day. She has an expensive bed that rivals mine for comfort and a couple of great toys. She also gets run of the small yard whenever she can rouse me off the couch. I had to buy a longer, adjustable leash so she'll tire herself out harder on our adventures. I'm even avoiding typing the word walk now as well as saying it. I don't want her to hear me say it and think it's on. I took her for 40 minutes each round in the first three days then when it was raining (hurray!) we had a shorter experience. I've got it so her body eats and poops at regular intervals and I'm working on getting her to drink more water. She doesn't pee as much as I think she should, probably holding some back for the constant territory marking that is happening when we walk on the streets and not in the long grass of the empty lot across the way. She has been pretty good otherwise, just super clingy and needy. I find it annoying that I can't walk three steps in my own home without a little follower clicking along behind me. Most people think that's cute but it grinds my gears. I have been suggesting she stay put when I get up now. It's worked a couple of times. I've also started shooing her out of the bathroom when I use it. If I can look the other way when she goes, she can give me some space. Fair is fair after all. To summarize, she's spoiled, clingy, and annoying. If she nagged me then she'd be all the worst parts of a girlfriend (thanks Family Guy commercial). Anyways, I didn't do much this weekend yet, mostly Netflixed. Which has been awesome. Maybe more later.