Doggie sitting and swimming

My aunt called Saturday morning to talk before she headed down to the Connecticut coastline to see her sister. Sue was throwing a back-to-school last hurrah. Debbie said she would like to come as long as she didn't have to go back to school. Would my cousin and her five children be there? Yes, all my cousins. It'll be fun to get an update.

Meanwhile, I was doggie sitting mid-day on both weekend days. On Sunday, Larry thought he'd come over and bring his trunks. He got a lesson on having dogs in the family. He got into the pool. Well of course the puppies wanted to come in too. I strapped on their jackets and helped them in. Hadley is a good little swimmer while Benny plays king of the island. Dylan the standard poodle was there too and swam in the water without a jacket. He's become a strong swimmer since I've seen him last summer.

When Larry's blood sugar felt low, he asked if there were any bananas. I know bananas are one of their favorite treats, but Larry didn't. He was quite surprised to have the attention of Sam the boxer, Benny & Hadley. You have to give them each a piece. They schooled Larry.

Garden Inspiration

I still get over to our old North Park neighborhood because I work at All Vegan on Wednesdays and pop over to the Water Lady. This alley cottage was a few streets behind that, in the neighborhoods that we used to walk, but I just don't remember it.

I remember seeing pictures and gardening shows of small backyard and vertical gardens and being really impressed. They were city gardens in areas like San Francisco. There's just lots of little detail to appreciate in a small space. We'll be replanting our front yard with more drought tolerant plants and I'm overwhelmed by the size of the area. Maybe I should approach it like several little gardens. There are sections divided by driveway or sidewalk. One patch is in the shape of the state of Utah: maybe I'll fashion a Moab sandstone arch for the little succulents in that bed. Larry suggested that where we plant some "hens & chicks", we can put some rooster statues there too. How do you like that, dad?!

I'm checking out xeriscape and water-wise gardening books from the library. I'm compiling lists of plants. You have to keep it interesting by keeping in mind verticality, blooming times, and compatibility. We'll probably just end up going to a garden center and get what's available; just because it's in a book or on my list doesn't mean I'll be able to find it. I have great appreciations for the nice gardens we see on our walks through our neighborhoods.

Beauty and the Beast at Spa MD

On Sunday, Spa MD in La Jolla held a fund raiser for the Greyhound Connection and other dog rescue organizations. One of the events was a doggy fashion show where Doctor Dylan here won first place. Patti, helping with his scrubs, works at the spa as a massage therapist.

We don't get out to the beaches and La Jolla as much, even though it's a pretty easy ride along the 52 for about 25 miles each way. It was nice to take a stroll down to the cove and around. Not much has changed, but it is disconcerting to see people down in the children's pool area where seals once pupped. I recently read in a children's book of all things that people are everyone's enemy. It's certainly true for these seals being forced out. But I digress.

It was a big day out for the dogs. Benny was dog-tired by the end of the day and slept for most of the next day.