Of course, being busy doesn’t equate to something interesting to blog about, but here goes anyway.
My driver picked us (my helper and Swan) up at 0800. A couple of kilometers down the road, I realized I had forgotten my phone, so we did a turnaround to get it. Back on the road, our next stop was the immigration office. After completing the paperwork and paying the fee (3000 pesos), I was granted another sixty days to live as a tourist in the Philippines.
Next stop was the BPI ATM on the old Navy base to replenish my cash supply; then, we were off to the grocery store. Not Royal this week. Instead, we journeyed to San Fernando to shop at the S&R store.
S&R is a membership store, similar to Costco back in the USA. My membership had expired, so I had to renew for a 700 peso fee. It’s a bit of a pain in the ass to get there, so I only visit a couple of times a year. The motivation this week was the need to pick up some household goods for the new digs and hopefully find some items that are not available at Royal. Most of the groceries at S&R are imported from the USA.
It’s always a hit-or-miss proposition: can’t find things you need and being pleasantly surprised with finding something you weren’t looking for. Like those Twinkies I posted yesterday. I was surprised to see the prices were higher on some items that I usually buy in Royal. Another reason for limiting shopping expeditions here to a semi-annual basis.
On the way back, there was lots of traffic to deal with, so it was 1 p.m. when I got home. I did a hurried blog post but didn’t have time for my customary nap before heading into town.
There are two floors and an outdoor area in the front. The downstairs bar is air-conditioned, and the upstairs is open-air with a pool table. I had my first beer at one of the outdoor tables.
Anyway, I enjoyed my first visit to Oasis and it will definitely be part of my regular rotation. A guy I’m acquainted with named Jim was sitting next to me and we had a very nice chat. He’s retired Army and also did time as a civilian contractor, so we had that in common. He did time in Korea during the 80s and acquired a Korean wife while there. Like mine, his marriage didn’t have a happy ending.
After I left Oasis, I popped into Cheap Charlies for a bit and shared drinks with Nerissa and Alma. That was my last stop before calling it an early night.
I got roped into playing in the dart league this afternoon. I still haven’t started practicing at home, so I fear my performance will, at most, be better than a forfeit. Oh well. I also have the Wednesday feeding at Hideaway to attend to after darts. Always busy, it seems.
I’ll be going to visit Dr. Jo tomorrow about my health issues. I’ve pretty much decided it’s just a manifestation of old age, but I do want to eliminate more serious possibilities. I also need to focus more on a healthier lifestyle. I’d pretty much given up, but my belly is so big now it is embarrassing. Back to work with diet discipline and more exercise. We’ll see how that works out for me.
I am appalled that you are still keeping your dog who attacked you!!
When a dog turns on its master (supposedly the ALPHA…) like that the first thing you do is PUT THE ANIMAL DOWN…if you do not, you are now it’s Beta bitch!
I was astounded to see you are allowing it to live and now taking over your domain…that is pathetic and cowardly; any person who knows dogs – and I do – would never believe your actions…
I hope you wake up soon and do what must be done… if not, enjoy your new role as his bitch!
We took the Lubao route, about a 60K journey
I’m curious as to why there’s a loop in the route.
Your other commenter should calm down. There are dozens of videos online about how to deal with dogs that have dominance issues. Simply putting the dog down is no solution. Only someone who doesn’t know dogs would say that.
Here’s a super-short video on fixing dominance.
Here’s a longer video.
Both of these videos make the same basic point, and neither suggests killing the dog.
Here’s one more video for good measure, but the trainer in the video doesn’t necessarily recommend the method he uses for all dogs.
Your other commenter is right, however, about the alpha/beta thing. That has to be stopped immediately. Lucky does indeed need to know who’s boss.
The Lubao route is the shortest way to get there, but going through Angeles is another option. I’ve never gone that way. There is an S&R in Angeles I’ve tried a couple of times, but I don’t like it as much.
Thanks for the video links, Kevin. I’ve got them queued up to watch (it’s early here, and Swan is sleeping now).
I reacted to the bite in anger and gave Lucky a swift kick. Yeah, it crossed my to stomp him to death, but that’s not my way. I left him in the empty house overnight and perhaps he reflected on the error of his ways. Probably not, though. Lucky is the stupidest dog I have ever owned. I do think he knows I’m the boss. I give him his food but no more love and affection. That’s the price you pay when you bite the hand that feeds you.
Jack, thanks for the feedback. My first reaction to being bit was to stomp him to death. Instead, I left him alone in the empty house overnight. I thought about giving him away but ultimately decided to keep him. I rescued him as a starving puppy, and I’m going to see it through. He is a Lucky dog.
The deciding factor in Lucky’s favor was that upon reflection, I don’t think the bite was in anger or aggression, but rather out of fear. He didn’t understand the move, didn’t want to go, and when I tried to force him, he lashed out. When I returned for him the next day, he was happy to see me and allowed me to leash him up without issue. He loves it here in the new place, but his actions have consequences. I don’t give him the love and affection he used to receive, and I can tell he misses that. He is totally submissive around me, and I have no doubt he knows I’m the boss.