Dog-Sitting

We are dog-sitting for a few weeks while our daughter and her family are on vacation. Georgie is one of the family, an integral part of our family life when she's here. Georgie changes the routine and makes life more interesting.

        Here I come

Have you ever noticed how a dog knows every other dog in the neighborhood? We are acutely aware of the numerous dogs in the neighborhood now that Georgie's around. While that awareness often involves barking and tugging, it also has expanded our cross-species friendships.

                 I'm not barking

Then there's the exercise that comes with the walking of such a big dog though we question sometimes who is walking whom? Indeed, the bending to clean up after her is healthy as well. Eliminating her eliminations is recommended before the mower finds the deposits.

                          Let me in

Let the dog out, let the dog in. Repeat. This keeps us from spending too much time on the couch. This is always good.

                 Waiting to go for a walk

                  

The daily vacuuming that Rick has taken up makes for a cleaner house, even though it wouldn't need as much cleaning if she wasn't here. Besides, the sweating from the vacuuming isn't a bad thing if you keep hydrated.

          That's the spot. You got it.

At night, when Rick gets up to go to the bathroom, Georgie, supposedly asleep on her bed, quickly takes his place. It's similar to the way that people fill in places in the audience at award shows when the actors are out of their seats. Georgie fills-in momentarily. Thank you Georgie.

                     It's too hot to walk

The daily brushing and ear cleaning fit into our regular routine now as well. The latest addition to the grooming, teeth brushing, has been an interesting undertaking as Georgie seems to enjoy the attention but tries to eat the toothbrush. Her delicate palate appears to like the toothpaste.

         Yummy toothpaste

Finally, Georgie helps clean out the freezer because she eats the meat off all the T-Bones we've saved for her so that we can finally throw out those bones. The accumulated near-empty peanut butter jars have also been disappearing. More cupboard space is always good.

Having a dog in the family is all about how you look at it!