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John came back from his ocean voyage this morning.

Well, about noon.

To say that Marcus and I were happy to see him would understate the case.

It is nice to get away but getting back together is sweet and happy. Of course, you can't have "sweet and happy" without going away.

One of those paradoxes in life. Paradi? No. Spell check does not like that one.

He had a good time and so did we. Marcus and I enjoyed each other.

It is very nice to see Marcus' evident pleasure at having his family back together again.

He is smiling and staying close to both of us. In the middle.

Quite nice.

Labels: family, Marcus

So Marcus and I are slogging through the last day without his other Dad.

He has been a good boy. But it is clear that I am not the right one for the morning walk or the service of the evening meal.

But it is OK.

We are not suffering. We just miss his being here. Not a noisy presence really but a presence nonetheless.

I was always the one who traveled so I learned to do well in hotel rooms, restaurants and the avenues of other cities.

When I get to be the stay at home, it is less routined and more unusual. No groove to fall into.

The other thing that is unusual is that John is on a cruise, trying out what that would be like, maybe on a longer trip.

No cell phone access on a cruise. A happy reason to go, maybe.

He did call from the several stops they made. Nice surprises as I have no feel for their schedule.

So, we are doing OK. Not cooking is good. Keeping my own schedule is good although I find I am following the same daily routine. Not the gym. But I was due for a break and I am having it.

Dinner with all of us tomorrow night. Then the end of summer, another month really. More 90s days and 70s nights.

Labels: home, John, Marcus

Marcus and I are holding bachelor hall while John attends the 2015 Palm Springs International Shortfest

The only way I know to see short films anywhere.

I used to go but found the rigors of the crowds and schedules too challenging for my introvert.

Too bad but can't be helped.

This stay at home stuff means that I get to cook dinner with a fast hand on the frozen entree inventory. Which I really like. The down time and the entrees. I end up mostly with the Stouffer's Lean Cuisine which gets better all the time.

I think I have Cheese Tortellini tonight. Newly designed boxes.

As for Marcus, it doesn't involve too much more to feed him is afternoon meal and take him for a short pee-pee run. Usually John's job.

A good trade off. No cooking for a bit of pee-pee time. Dog bonding.

Labels: life, Marcus

Busy day today.

Started with a Meeting then on to the chiropractor which went about the same as most visits to the chiropractor.

Oommph. Umkgh. Shmrrrrz.

And then up and out of there.

I watched the ending episodes of Looking first season.

I am glad that "the gays" finally made it into series teevee and am OK that they have the same soapy problems as the rest of the world.

It is well done and not at all cheesy. The sex is not airbrushed, good solid R rated. No genitals, lots of ass.

The boys are also not perfect in any way. Not saints, not too bad in the sin department unless you draw your line along with the church ladies. Wholesome sex. Smile.

We have had our walk, Marcus and I. He is on the mend, eating full portions now. Stitches out next Tuesday the 27th.

Other than that nothing to report. That is enough for today.

Labels: health, Marcus

I am taking it easy today.

Or a little easier than I normally take things.

I skipped the Sunday family walk and am not planning much of anything for the rest of the day. Reading, hanging out.

Yesterday was the monthly condo board meeting and I had my usual sterlingly delivered financial report. Which someone else writes for me. I do mark the yellow on it. We had a good crowd which listened attentively and, best of all, asked no questions.

Well, not of me.

In general the owners are a happy bunch. Our professional managers work with 15 Boards and had just come from a very contentious meeting the day before. Neighbor against neighbor and a free for all against that board.

The meeting was over in an hour and half, a record. We have a new chairman who came on with me and we work well together.

Home in time for lunch and a nap but not a long one. The adrenaline still runs for awhile after the meeting.

So laid back today.

For the record, Marcus is energetic and seems in good shape. We are trying different food combinations as he went "off his feed". He has lost weight. Maybe eight pounds.

My back is a lot better and my sciatica and I will go for another adjustment tomorrow morning. I guess I will be back in the hands of a chiropractor for awhile. I got away with over 6 years without it though.

Tomorrow will be back to "normal". Return to the gym, have some time with a friend after the Meeting. I like normal.

Labels: health, life, Marcus

A little progress for Marcus and Sherlock.

Marcus' after effects of his surgery are a little more complicated than we expected but he is under close care and surveillance with our own doctor on the case as of today.

He has an attractive sock on top of his leg sutures where he has been fussing. Not a good thing. And it has stopped him from interfering in that healing.

As far as the major item, his stomach and the removal of the stuff he swallowed there seem to be OK. The stomach. Not the stuff which is long gone. We eschewed the little baggie that had the spiked toy and the other thing in it.

He goes back for a check late this week and we are hovering some. But he has a lot of energy for walking although we are curtailing it. His appetite is not working well yet but he is taking his meds if they are wrapped in those pill things which he likes very much.

He is handling it all as though it is normal to have this shit going on. The airedale stoicism which we need to watch out for as he could be hiding symptoms. On the other hand we are not looking for trouble.

At least it is not a mobile as shown in the photo.

As for Sherlock, he is working out his cases in the series I am watching on DVD.

I am enjoying it but I need to be careful not to do them too close together or I lose the distance required.

Labels: health, Marcus

Sick call was a happier period today than yesterday.

Marcus has improved his appetite after his operation and I went to the chiropractor for my sciatica; a second pull and jerk session. Earlier I had my stitch less left arm examined at Urgent Care and declared free and back to a normal life.

Both resulted in much relief. Doctoring is not my favorite thing but at least I am finally OK with going in promptly to get what needs to be done. It took eight decades but I am there at a time I may need it; more ready to admit defeat and ask for help.

The airedale, whose temperament is similar (I'm OK Dad) is more comfortable and will go in on Friday for an observation. He is eating some and likes a little walk for the first time.

I used to administer the sick call when I was in the Army. A safe job for a tender new second louie. So I know how to run it militarily which is to stay out of the way if possible.

Like all aspects of military life. Lie low.

Labels: Marcus, sick

A bit more normality today.

We went to pick up Marcus from the vet and brought him home.

He is a little dopey but seems to be doing fine. Hard that he can't tell us, in a way. On the other, it is obvious that he knows he is safe and with his Dads so silence might be just the thing.

When we arrived and he was brought out he was all excited and it seemed that there was nothing wrong at all. I met the vet who did the work. She is great as is the hospital.

We are home and trying to figure out what is probably not a complicated med schedule but seems so. We are kind of fucked up and out too. It all seems so hard, the new routine. But like anything we are just on the learning curve and we are not that dim bulbs.

For the moment we are eschewing the dread head cone. This may be risky but we shall see. He will be closely watched.

When we got home, the friskiness just went out of him and he mostly has slept.

Warm compresses for three days every four or five hours for five minutes. John has been assigned that one.

So this is our project for now. Not a bad piece of work given the importance of the big boy we are doing it for. Another side of love, it is not a chore.

Labels: Marcus, veterinarian

We had to take Marcus to the vet today.

He swallowed something, a hard object now identified as a toy, and it wouldn't come out.

So, they went in and took it out and at the same time cleared another unidentified object from his intestine. Since they were in the neighborhood.

The vets are very good and he has already had his operation, will recuperate tomorrow and be ready to come home Monday afternoon (another word for "tomorrow") or Tuesday. I vote for Tuesday but that is not so much up to me. The day is already very busy. Chiropractor, a meeting, a date at the dentist.

But we will do what we need to do to get him home where he belongs.

It was very upsetting at first but we have talked to the surgeon and Marcus' regular vet and they say all is well.

We don't much worry about his missing us as he will be sedated right up to the return home.

Needless to say all of the smaller toys will be removed before he arrives.

No fun for anyone but we are very happy the news is good and his return imminent. It is very quiet around here just now.

Labels: Marcus, veterinarian

Watching Marcus take a drink is fascinating.

How does it work? Finally, an answer.

Labels: dogs, Marcus

So Marcus and I have switched to the afternoon walk just after his supper.

It is still a little warm but he is a trouper and has done very well. Me too.

I like the change because it gets me out of the house mid-day and we will have to do it come the end of daylight savings time in two weeks.

The other thing is that I can go right after I see the movie and write about it and get that out of my system.

Today was the end of the world at midnight so I needed a break.

Labels: Marcus

Our new family member Marcus does not beg.

He doesn't look longingly while we eat. He doesn't come to the kitchen except, apparently, to be a buddy and hang out which he does with one of us all day long. No matter what we are doing where. By our side.

I don't know what to do with this.

Since we had our last air-boy Booker as a rescue dog and also his predecessor Franklin was brought up in our house, we don't have the experience of this. Obviously we made them into beggers. In a nice way of course. But I have to admit that I always came through.

So here is a dog that is happy with the routine. That was very clear from the first day. He came into the house, looked around and made it his own. And ours. A new family.

He has had very good training prior. We are grateful.

He and I just went out for the afternoon pee and whatever. He took me on an even different route. Around the back of our foursome unit. He looks around. He knows where he is.

He is a little too interested in the birds that live down at the east end, in the shrubs. But that is OK. He would never catch one and I am getting him used to a little bird discipline.

He still does not bark.

Labels: Marcus

I saw Marcus walking with his other Dad this morning.

I had been grocery shopping and they were crossing the street on the way home.

He is a handsome dude.

The dad, of course. That is who I meant!

But the dog is a beaut also. He has great presence. He has a bit of swagger. Airedales are like that. Proud of their heritage and their own selves.

We are at about a week of living with us.

He moved right in.

He is very comfortable here. He sleeps all over the house, he doesn't really beg around food although he will remind you that he is there. He has slept all night from the very beginning. And he does not bark. They told us that was the case.

He is not as big as Booker was. Twenty pounds less. But his spirit is so big we do not notice the size difference although when I passed them on their walk this morning he was clearly smaller than our last aire-boy.

He has had a well trained up bringing. The no-begging is a start. He also stands still for a harness, walks without pulling only gentle reminders necessary.

He is stuck on birds. He would really like to have one for his own. He will chase them but the bird is so startled by this 70 pound monster bearing down that the bird is automatically gone. Reflexes are all. Self preservation.

He has been a companion since he arrived. He is always there. Totally present.

I don't have any bad things. He has lived in a family so he understands divided loyalties and therefore charms both of us. We do not demand any priorities so it is up to him but I have no feeling at all that he is with John and not me. Also the other way round.

He loves head scratches of course. He is big on petting. He does not slide over our legs. Yet.

We are very grateful and happy that he has come to live with us.

No that is not him but that is how he looks.

Labels: Marcus

That Marcus is wonderful:

He has eaten “right” since he came here.

He walks very well and pays attention to basic “commands”.

He likes people very much but not gushy, airedale classic.

He is OK with other dogs as long as they are OK with him but no troubles so far……not likely.

He sleeps all night and recognizes it is time to “get up” with me.

He stays with one of us all the time or “in the middle”.

Adores two Dad hugs and petting.

He knows the house pretty well and is not confused about where we are going. Usually.

He will go out to eat for the first time tonight because we trust him to do the right thing. We will go to a place named Jakes which is the name of their dog. The other place we are likely to go, Shermans, has dog water dishes in the outside. It is a NY deli. We view that as an invitation!

And so on and on.

And if you haven't been following, Marcus is our new canine friend who has come to stay with us and be our pal.

Labels: Marcus

We went and picked up Marcus this morning and brought him back to his new home.

Not the same name we had before actually. He was "Mikey" and now he is Marcus.

We have not consulted him about this.

I was going to slide into it with Markie but John says no. I do not think Marcus gives a shit. He has enough to adapt to.

We had a good ride back. He "rode well". Meaning that he looked out the windows a lot, lay down and rested, came between our seats for a bit of a snuggle and never took a nap the entire way.

I didn't either.

At home, he seems to be taking it all in his stride. Everything is new but, at the same time, we have already started bonding. So any place we are is going to become home.

He is lying just behind me as I type. He hasn't gotten that he has a nice crate pad to lie on just in front of me. I am not the motherly type so I have not tried to get him to use the pad. All in his own time.

We have been outside and went across the way to pee and get the mail. Fortunately, while we were gone, the weather did a fast cool down so the pavement was not too hot and the air was good.

I do not know what else to say.

He is very affectionate and is interested in both of us. He does not beg in the kitchen and I am not about to get that started. So far he does not get up on beds but that is not a first day thing. He will be allowed if he wishes.

We do not know what rules he has lived by but he is in pretty good shape with his manners. Serene too. Not easily spooked. Wants to do the right thing.

He is getting the picture in a very nice way and I have caught him snoozing some.

We are just taking it easy on all of us.

John and I are reversing our walk time assignment. I am going to give the morning walk and not go to the gym. For the foreseeable future.

The dog walk will be as good as 30 minutes on a bike and the weight machines have not been taken seriously in some time. I go through the motions but at 78 I am not pushing it.

I may change this later. I will certainly miss the social time in the gym but because of attrition there are really only two or three people who I will miss. And I can always go back for a visit.

Labels: dog, Marcus