“Remoted” Day 355 (Saturday)

Still blooming in March.

Despite it being March, the Christmas Cactus is still blooming in the office. Instead of being filled with flowers in one glorious and spectacular display at the holidays, it’s been producing two or three buds steadily since Thanksgiving. The Christmas Cactus and the African violet seem to thrive on my neglect, and that is exactly the type of plants I need. It’s too bad the rest of life can’t operate as well under conditions of neglect, but I can only get away with it with the plants. 

Instead of neglect, today was another Saturday and another trek to Fitchburg for canine care. There is no neglect there. Today it was Winston’s turn at the vet for routine shots and a glucose check. The appointment was rescheduled twice for various reasons, the latest reason being that the Saturday hours were announced for the month and it wouldn’t require vacation time to take him there. He gets to go back in May for a rabies booster.

As I was preparing to leave the house this morning, I considered leaving Moose at home, but that thought was banished when Moose started spazzing out. He always gets anxious when I put shoes on, and starts running around near the door as if he is trying to block my exit. As the leashes come out of the drawer, his agitation intensifies. Getting his diaper pants on him so I can leave would have been a time-consuming battle, and it was easier to just take him, too. Both dog beds were put into the car and two harnesses, two leashes, two male wraps, and two number 3 baby diapers were loaded into a tote bag. Any time I take them anywhere it looks like we’re moving in. Moose wouldn’t get into the car and required coaxing.

After the vet visit, the plan was to visit Mom. The dogs hadn’t been there since the summer, and enjoyed running around sniffing everything, first in the yard, then inside the house. Winston did his perimeter security sniff check of much of the house, then jumped onto the couch and tried to be a lap puppy. So cute. Meanwhile, Moose was exploring the coffee table and kept walking under it and getting his butt stuck, which frustrated him and entertained the humans. We tried to not laugh so we didn’t embarrass him. It was hard.

When we arrived home, Moose wouldn’t get out of the car. The doggy dude is stubborn. I finally had to climb into the back seat, pick him up and take him out. Then he stood on the little deck outside the kitchen door barking to get inside. He’s something. Thank goodness Winston is less wackadoodle. Two neurotic dogs could kill me.