Stumbled home from the bar last night, opened the door, and my Buddy went nuts with glee while greeting me. Same thing when I came downstairs this morning. That just warms this lonely old heart.

He’s a good boy, except when he’s not. I am reminded that owning a dog is very much like being a parent again. He gets into mischief (like raiding my trashcan to chew up tissues full of snot (or worse, he’s raided the bathroom trash as well). Now, I’m working hard at establishing myself as the alpha male around here and it might be working, at least he’s not repeated the trash thefts since my harsh scolding. He is a smart dog and seems to want to please me. Good boy, Buddy!

Buddy finds the oddest places and positions for sleeping. Does that look comfortable to you? Also makes descending the stairs a little more perilous than normal…

I’d say Buddy is about 90% there in the leash training department. I’m very pleased about that. The harness versus the collar seemed to do the trick. This morning I was heading out to grab some breakfast and he stood at the door looking up at me expectantly. That’s the first time he acted like he wanted to go for a walk! So I obliged and let him come along.

Now, we normally just walk around my neighborhood which is very quiet and has little vehicle traffic. Not so the hike to Treasure Island on Baloy beach. He freaked a little bit crossing the National Highway and was skittish as cars and trikes passed us by on the narrow road leading to our destination. About 3/4 of the way there this pack of five dogs went into attack mode (they’ve never bothered me, so it was Buddy they were after. I was carrying an umbrella so I fended them off successfully. Decided to walk the rest of the way on the beach and I’ll be damned if a different group of unrestrained dogs didn’t come after us. Luckily, the skills I developed during eight years of carrying mail kicked in. I just went into “full crazy” mode, cussing and screaming and being aggressively threatening (again with the umbrella). I learned that when dogs think you are a fucking crazy bastard without fear it puts them off their game. They retreated and we proceeded on to breakfast. Fun times!

Buddy channeling Snoopy.

I mentioned the other day that we have construction workers in and out of the house. Twice I’ve caught Buddy sneaking out of the house and hanging out in the front yard. At least he no longer heads for the hills when he escapes, but I don’t like it. I also don’t like keeping a dog chained, but I do now out of necessity when I put him out or have unsecured doors. It’s a long chain though so he can and does climb over the wall to poop and pee further from the house. I’m good with that.

He’s also getting to be a good watchdog, growling and barking when strangers are near the house. I like the sense of security that gives me, especially at night while I’m sleeping. Good job Buddy!

Summertime means insects. Ah, I remember those VW bugs…

Meanwhile, I’ve not been dogging it. Much. Dart league yesterday afternoon and I played well enough to win all my matches. Then I treated myself to dinner at Mango’s. They have a nice menu selection and the food is consistently high quality.

Did the pork chops last night. Well, if you have to dine alone, good food makes it more, er, palatable.

I had a coupon for buy one/get one at Rum Jungle, a bar I don’t normally frequent. I soon came to remember why. Sat down and half way through the first beer I had four women join me at my table uninvited. I really need to learn to be a bigger prick and tell them to get lost. My ignoring them and not buying the coveted lady drinks seems to be a failing strategy. I finally got up and left without finishing the “free” beer. I’m just not that lonely yet I suppose.

The rain stopped this morning so I took full advantage. In addition to Buddy’s walk I went out for another hour and a half stroll. Felt good to be getting my steps in again. Almost 16,000 so far. Rain came back this afternoon of course, but still…

And finally, I am really tired of all this “Russians hacking the election” and treason bullshit. All my lefty friends are going nuts on Facebook. And I had to endure CNN at breakfast. Are people really this stupid? Apparently so.

The cold hard truth. And the cartoonist, Ted Rall, is a notorious lefty. I don’t mean handedness either.

Another reminder of why I am glad to be living here.

Peace out!