Who ate my collar?

This is funny.  NOT really.

So I bring my 6 month old puppy to doggie day care a few days a week for play dates and socializing... He has outgrown his puppy collar and I had one from a previous dog that I was going to use.  I loved it - it was blue and was reflective.  I thought we need to wait a bit for him to grow and the collar would fit better.

I waited a bit and yes, he finally fits into the blue collar.  I am so excited I mention to the girls at daycare - he's in his big boy collar.  They are also excited because they felt he was getting to strong and big for the puppy collar.  My husband has been trying to get me to purchase a different collar.  He thought the lab needed his own.  NOT a used one.  lol.

Our lab is at doggie daycare from 10 AM to 4 PM on this particular day.  My husband goes to pay and the girl behind the counter says to him... I have good news and bad news.  My husband says OK.  She says the dog is fine... and holds us the new/used doggie collar.  It is been eaten in two.  She's like I don't know how this happened but someone bit though his collar.  Knowing that my lab does not sit still for more that 2 seconds I find that hard to believe.  My husband says... my wife will NEVER believe this as I have been trying to buy a new collar for weeks and she says no, this one is great. They assure him, a puppy chewed through it when he was sleeping.  Several times during nap time, the puppies are all curled up in balls, all intertwined. 

My husband calls me with this story and I was sure he was kidding me...  He arrived at my store with the lab wearing his shiny bright blue and green collar.  It's beautiful I have to admit.  I still had a hard time believing my husband had nothing to do this this.  I check the old collar for cut marks and it sure does not look like anyone cut the collar.  definite shredding.  I call the puppy day care place and talk to the girl.  I hear the story from her.  She assures me my husband had nothing to do with the new bright collar.  This collar is guaranteed for life.  If another dog chews it, they replace it for free.  They now take his collar off just in case.  lol

Backpack man

Today is October 24, 2014

My observation of a Main Street walker today.

Backpack man with umbrella blocking the side walk to you have to walk in the street to pass or worse - pass between him standing on the edge of the sidewalk facing the gradual hill where his back pack is residing. It is raining so now he has his umbrella out.  Blocking more of the sidewalk. A little lady with a cane has to pass by to get to her car in the parking lot. She is with her daughter. You can see she is wondering which way to go. Between the man with the umbrella and his backpack or around the man, into the street. She chooses the street.  The man turns and says something to her. He speaks quietly and I can't hear what he has to say.  Cane woman looks at him as I get ready to run out of the store to help, I see she and her daughter continue to go into the parking lot and get to their car safely.

From my window I watch each person struggle with the decision... to go between or go into the street.  Most choose the street for their own reasons of flee or fight.  I too had to make this decision as I walk to my store.  I smile when I walk down the hill and he is not there.  Then the smile leaves and I notice that he was not gone, he has just moved.  

He is talking to himself as I pass by minding my own business.  I don't walk close enough to hear him.  He stands leaning on the railing with his cup out for tips.  Backpack is on the ground as he meditates.  He has his eyes closed for the most part.  Opens them when people pass by.  He paces back and forth along the sidewalk.  He goes down about 5 stores in one direction and back the other way.  Down 5-6 stores and back to his starting point.  I can hear him talk and would assume he is talking to someone on the phone.  He is not.  Just listen to him.  FOCUS. FOCUS. FOCUS.  That is what he says each time he passes by.  

I wonder why he is here? Does he have family here? Why this time of year?  Winters here are brutal.  Where does he sleep at night?  Do you put $ into his cup?  do you offer food.  What do YOU do...

I am thankful I do have a home, warm clothes, food, a job, family.  What are you thankful for?

Have a great night and remember what you are thankful for tonight when you go to sleep.