Straydog UPDATE posted THURSDAY 7/31/03 at ~6:20 p.m. ET

Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

THURSDAY JULY 31 2003

A note from Bill ...

     My son, Bill, Jr., and I left Straydog Tuesday morning in Junior's car on the long road trip to Oberlin, Ohio, where I (accompanied by my son) will attend my (and Pat's) 45th high school reunion. Pat and I had received notification of this event several months ago but had immediately dismissed the possibility of going to the reunion because we were always way too busy to even entertain such an idea. But now that we have Shannon working full time covering most of the duties Pat used to be in charge of, including vet visits, and with my daughter, Erin, and son, Joe, taking my place at the helm for the next several days, I was persuaded by my children (coerced really) to go to the reunion. For the past couple of evenings I've been picking up the emailed updates from Straydog, editing them and posting them from a motel room on the road.

     I feel very confident that with Guy Lucas managing the outside, which includes overseeing our excellent kennel helper/caregiver team, along with Shannon, Erin and Joe overseeing all other functions of the Straydog operation, everything will run smoothly.

     Although (as was the case with Pat) I have never received any pay from Straydog Inc., I still feel guilty about being away from my duties for the next several days. I've been talking by phone daily with everyone at Straydog, and I often feel like turning around and going back, but Junior keeps telling me, "Relax, Pop. You need a rest!" The kids didn't even want me to edit and post the update every evening, but I insisted and will continue to do so. I might even include a little update about the reunion, which starts tomorrow in Oberlin. (We made it almost to Columbus today, so we have just a short trip to make it on in to Oberlin tomorrow.)

     This reunion is going to be tough because all these kids, none of whom I've seen in 45 years and who are now 63 years old as am I, are going to have to give me their personal condolences, and I know it's just going to be difficult talking with them about Pat but I'll make it.

 Today's update as reported via email by Shannon to me (Bill) on the road ...  

Houdini Day at Straydog Today!

     Rosie and her pups continue to dig the entire perimeter of their kennel looking for even an inch of ground that doesn't have concrete blocks and bricks buried beneath. They found a couple of inches today and were right back into Momma Dog and Briar's kennel! Momma Dog seemed to resent the previous "break-ins," but she just ignored the three today. When we have dogs dig out, we isolate them in the entrance gate while we repair their escape route. We all found it funny that Rosie and her pups dug into the entrance gate before we even got over to get them! They were trying to be sweet and make their escape easier on us!

Houdini Day Part II

     April got out! When a bad storm was brewing last night, we made sure the drains were all clear and ready for a flood. April noticed her drain was a bit larger than usual. She's probably always wondered what was on the other side of that drain. Today she felt like exploring and found out that the only thing on the other side of her drain was Erin and Shannon waiting to put her back in her kennel! She was undoubtedly disappointed, but she enjoyed being carried back to her kennel to be with her friend Johnny again. Good boy, Johnny, for not going along with your best buddy on her adventure!

Poor Old Jed needs a home and family!

     Sweet Jed was a house dog for eleven years until he came out here last summer after being abandoned by his former guardian and fell in love with Julie (the diabetic dog who's in our updates very frequently). Now 12 years old, Jed needs to find a retirement home! He barks for attention from our caregivers, so we're sure he'd really love to have a personal guardian of his own. Now that Julie is in the house so much (with her fluctuating glucose counts and her upcoming eye surgery), Jed is very lonely. We take him out to the big play yard with Julie several times a day, but he still seems sad. Jed is in good health (other than having an arthritic knee), and he will be at Adoption Day this Saturday. If you have room for Jed in your home and your heart, or if you know anyone who might be interested in this good older fella, come and meet Jed this Saturday at the Petsmart on Central Expressway (75) at Parker Road in Plano (Texas).