Saturday

 

Toby is having his seasonal skin allergies. We’ve been limiting his time outdoors, rinsing and shampooing, wiping him down, giving him fish oil and probiotic yogurt, and Benadryl, vacuuming and mopping the floors almost daily. We are just barely managing it. He’s on the verge of needing antibiotics. He has hundreds of peas size bumps on his back, but no breakthroughs yet. They get angry or subdued depending on how long he stays outside.

Today’s strategy was to take him for his morning walk at sunrise on the causeway, hoping the pollen count would be light.

It was a beautiful time to be out there. It was 73 degrees with a light breeze. 

Yesterday, we ordered a couple of onesies for Toby. They are made out of stretchy material that is breathable and protects against the sun and allergens for dogs with little to no hair or undercoat, the dogs most susceptible to skin allergies. He will look ridiculous but if it controls his outbreaks we won’t care. Some reviewers on Amazon have had success and have even been able to discontinue allergy medication. The onesies arrive Sunday. We’re hoping we can get him some protection so he can heal.

Yoga exercises continue to strengthen my core. I feel the benefits all throughout the day.

My favorite activity, three times a week.

We took Toby to Highlander Park after lunch. The bagpipe marching band was rehearsing. Toby didn’t pay them any attention. Bagpipes freaked him out as a puppy.

We saw Beauty and the Beast at the Francis Wilson Playhouse this afternoon. When John was in the restroom, a guy noticed him and said, “You’re the Causeway walker!” We got to chat. He rides a bike and a scooter occasionally, so he was very memorable. He was at the musical with a large family to see his nephew playing a funny role.

It was their best production yet, huge cast, great costumes. It’s always nice to be amongst people who enjoy the arts. John calls them “our people.”

Our neighbor brought us a smoked chicken that we added to our salad. The blood oranges look weird but they are delicious.

We are trying to pull ourselves out of the funk we’ve been in from all the Republican attacks on gay people, mostly from our governor. I’m tired of being their punching bag! It’s cruel and disgusting.