Look back for inspiration, look ahead to fit it in.

I am dog-sitting for my brother's dog Dixie until Oct 8.  Dixie used to be my older sister's until Darla's death, then she got passed on to my brother.  Dixie is a little miniature schnauzer.  She was groomed today and is now sound asleep after her ordeal.  Dixie is very close to my heart -- it seems my sister is nearer to me also.  I think the little dog is approaching 14 or 15 years old and I am almost afraid to keep her for fear something will happen.  But she couldn't have a more loving guardian.  I treat her like I would my own child.

I think pets are good for people who are far enough in their recovery to adequately care for them.  At one hospital, a woman brought in two Rhodesian Ridgebacks for the patients to pet.  They were kind of scary big dogs but then they would just roll over to get their tummies scratched.

I'm sorry you are depressed.  I have a tendency to become depressed this time of year.  I don't think it is SAD (due to seasonal changes in the light).  There is just something melancholy about the leaves falling and winds whipping the trees around.  I am "taking off" all this week.  Only one day is there something that has to be done, and that is getting Mom to her doctor on Tuesday for a yearly checkup.  Do you ever take a day or a week off to kind of collect yourself and take stock of what direction you are moving in?  I have to do that when I feel things are overwhelming.

Once a guy was watching me walk down the street and he ran over a curb.  I thought it was pretty funny!

Carolyn