Well, Duke is turning into a real guard dog. The problem is he is trying to guard us from our Mama-sitters. First he nipped at Penny, who is a major dog person. Next the vet felt like he might nip her so she put a muzzle on him while she did the examination. Last night, Michelle drove up and Duke growled at her. She talked to him, and he came around Beverly's car and bared his teeth at her. She jumped into Beverly's car and stayed there until I could grabbed Duke. Luckily I was still awake. Shortly thereafter Beverly was ready to go to her car, but she didn't want to chance getting bit, so I went out and held him while she got into her car. He is messing with the cat; she was here first. He has torn up everything that belonged to the cat. I am not sure what to do.

He was taking his medicine so well, but now he eats the treat and spits out the pill--and I am supposed to give him two pills twice a day for at least ten days. I did fool him by putting them in hotdogs. But he is so clever, I am not sure how long that will last.

I have Mama this evening and tonight. Penny watched Mama today. Beverly and Michelle had a family gathering to go to so I am going to give watching Mama a try. Hope she sleeps tonight. I went up to my classroom for a while this afternoon and did some cleaning and rearranging. I am dirty and ready for a soak and a snooze. Mama is snoozing now so guess I had better take advantage of the time and get cleaned up.

Hugs to all,

Well, Duke (our new stray dog) has made his first trip to the vet. Bandit used to sit in the car and shiver. Not Duke. He roamed all over the back seat, to the front seat, to the back seat. I was a little early for our appointment, and he saw a little dog outside of the car. He tried to crawl over me in the driver's seat to get to the dog. He turned the windshield wipers on, the radio on, and the air conditioner off. Luckily I had the car in park. I decided I would drive him around a bit so I took him by for Betty to meet.

We are now home, $140 later. The vet thinks he's between a year and a year-and-a-half. His back foot is all black and swollen. She thinks that was from a snake bite. He has heart worms in a stage that is contagious to other animals. (Now I guess I will have to take the cat in!) I came home with medicine to worm him, flea and tick stuff, and an antibiotic I have to give him twice a day. Plus I have to take him back next week. Did I really want a dog????? Mama has started petting him when she comes into the house. So I guess he stays!!

Am tired from the eventful trip to the vet so guess I will close for now.

Hugs to all,

Okay, I am in a much better frame of mind. I don't know if it will last. It is May, and I do teach 6th graders!!!

A new dog has adopted us. He is a big blonde dude. Beverly named him Marmaduke, but I just call him Duke. He goes for his first visit to the vet today. He is beginning to feel at home. Yesterday he went after the cat, tore up the cat's bed, and who knows what else. Need to go check on my students will finish later.