The editor and publisher of The Wormlips Scrapbook has an important message.
If you are subscribed to this blog and are tired of the slew of recent post notifications crowding your inbox, you can unsubscribe via the link at the bottom of those emails and I’ll never even know you’ve done it. If for some reason that link doesn’t work, fire me an email (it won’t hurt my feelings) and I can figure out how to make the relentless barrage stop. Usually it’s all quiet over on the Wormlips front, and I post maybe twice a year, but during this shelter in place, it’s been daily. Ironic, really, considering how little there is to report. Thank you, and sorry.
—The Management
Since the start of this pandemic, my front yard has become as unruly and ragged-looking as my hair. I no longer have a lawnmower, and I figured that my yard guy might not be working these days. But when I saw Elana out there diligently hand-cropping the tallest of the weeds in the back yard yesterday, I figured it was time to act. I learned that José is in fact still on the job, so now he’s here tackling the jungle.
The trouble with living in an urban area is that, on the rare occasion when I decide to leave the house, it’s always a challenge to take a simple walk. There are enough humans around that I have to zigzag between them, veering out into the street every time I need to keep away from another. It’s hard to enjoy the flowers and other sights, since my awareness is always on avoiding people. Also, I’m pretty tired of this neighborhood. At least it’s sunny today, but I don’t know if I’ll venture out. I should.
I haven’t seen a friend in-person for so long. In fact, in the past month I’ve had only one social contact with a close friend, and that was three weeks ago. As you may remember, that’s when two local pals were driving by and pulled up to the curb in front, where I shouted at them from ten feet away. This week I was going to walk by an old friend’s house, by arrangement, and have a hollered conversation, but he learned there’s a very remote chance he got exposed to the virus so isn’t leaving the house for a while.
Prompted by Molly yesterday, I started daydreaming once again about getting a dog. You know it’s been on my mind. I’ve been pondering it for a decade, but am terrified of the massive commitment. Here’s one doggie that she found me last night on the Milo Foundation web site. That’s the organization for whom I fostered all those dogs fifteen years ago. Too bad that local rescue organizations don’t need fosters now.
And on Petfinder was this fella named Trucker.
When you adopt a dog, how do you know if it’s going to be a good fit? I’d want a hound that was gentle with everyone, non-reactive to other creatures and new situations, affectionate without being neurotic, and relatively obedient (with some training, of course). Mellow and not needing a ton of exercise. Oh, and housebroken. And non-destructive, especially when left alone. Tall order, huh?
Cons of Getting a Dog
- What if the dog has behavioral problems?
- Man, are pets expensive.
- I can no longer jump in the car and go someplace for a day or two, nor fly to see Ma without complicated arrangements.
- There’s that fear of commitment.
- And the constant worry, like about leaving dog alone even when I go grocery shopping
Pros of Getting a Dog
- Companionship for a lonely senior citizen
I dunno. Seems to skew pretty much in the con direction. I’m not a patient, accepting and forgiving enough person to have an imperfect dog, which they all are.
But I do think lives are enriched by pets.
Get one!! Nothing can surpass it!! And — if the first try doesn’t work out — try again!
Congratulations on your renewed lawn!
> I can no longer jump in the car and go someplace for a day or two
There are loads of hotels and Airbnbs these days that are pet-friendly – which could make such getaways even more fun, too.
And when not doing dog-friendly getaways, options for dogsitters and doggie lodging abound. I just googled around and found several good Dog Lodgeries right in Berkeley.
I think there are more pros than just companionship alone:
– unconditional love and affection
– doggie snuggles
– entertainment value as they sleep in silly ways, do goofy things, etc.
– motivation to get slightly more exercise, or to go to local places like Pt. Isabel
And of course, even if “companionship” were the only pro, that’s a *huge* and significant pro. Weighty.
Not that I have an opinion on this matter. Not at all. WUV!
Ma & Molly: you both make persuasive arguments for a Ginna dog.
Eeeeeek: as I write “Ginna dog,” I get a feeling of panic.
I guess the ONLY way I could adopt a dog would be if I could have it on a trial basis/return it without guilt, and without a black mark against my name with the adoption organization. I wouldn’t have adopted either of my beloved hounds, Otis or Stella, if I hadn’t been able to return them, no questions asked.
I still can’t figure out what East Bay places do trial adoptions, and who also have comprehensive descriptions of available hounds.
It’s all a crazy idea and I shouldn’t do it.
Milo has a well-defined policy (10-day period) of how you can easily and guiltlessly return the animal if it’s not a good fit:
“Q: Can I foster-to-adopt a dog or cat?
A: Milo does not foster-to-adopt. Instead, we have built into our Adoption Contract a 10-day window by which, if you and the animal are not able to make it work, you may return the adopted animal to us. *NOTE: There are NO refunds for puppies or kittens (less than 10 months old). If the animal is an adult (10 months or older), you may receive a refund (minus a $50 re-intake fee) or credit (minus a $50 re-intake fee) toward the adoption of another animal that may be more suitable for your situation.”
From: https://www.milofoundation.org/FAQs.cfm
after our daisy died we were not ready to make any commitment to get another dog. traveling to europe was challenging and might not have been possible with daisy. we don’t trust anyone with our dog.
but we wanted dog companions. so we started dog sitting at our house and it’s been perfect. it’s like grandkids you can hand back after a time.
we make money and so far have loved each and every dog, except for one, and we are not dog sitting him anymore.
i love when the bound in and so happy to see you again. people tell us they can’t believe how happy their dogs are to come to our home.
and i love this service because we can give our best.
we also walk dogs once a week at the local shelter, just not now.
we are fostering a dog, but he’s dog aggressive and that’s a big, huge, downside, otherwise i’m sure we would keep him.
so there are alternatives eventually. does muttville in san francisco not have foster options right now?
Milo has a well-defined policy (10-day period) of how you can easily and guiltlessly return the animal if it’s not a good fit:
“Q: Can I foster-to-adopt a dog or cat?
A: Milo does not foster-to-adopt. Instead, we have built into our Adoption Contract a 10-day window by which, if you and the animal are not able to make it work, you may return the adopted animal to us. *NOTE: There are NO refunds for puppies or kittens (less than 10 months old). If the animal is an adult (10 months or older), you may receive a refund (minus a $50 re-intake fee) or credit (minus a $50 re-intake fee) toward the adoption of another animal that may be more suitable for your situation.”
From: https://www.milofoundation.org/FAQs.cfm
Great point, Lulu! I forget that dog-friendly lodging is more prevalent outside of hotel chains. The thing about Airbnb’s, though, is that you often get dinged with non-refundable pet fees as well as breed- and size-restrictions; Otis and Stella, as perfectly behaved as they were, would not be allowed at some otherwise dog-friendly places. I think this is the exception rather than the rule, though.
My mom and I were just discussing about you getting a dog!
It’s all worth it! If you do have to go away, there are people that would watch it for you. It can go on road trips with you!
You’ll know if it’s the right one. Make sure you can return it if it’s not a match. I like a dog that will look at you in the eyes.
Think about it.