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There is nothing like a picture of a bully to make me smile!  There is something about them that just does my heart good...

That weather was crazy - glad you made it home safe!

I just wanted to thank you all again.  I was really nervous about going to work today - I felt sick to my stomach about possibly seeing him again (I work in the park where he apparently has been living for the past few days), or him even coming by my work.  That didn't happen today, but it is something that could very well occur in the future.  I will just have to deal with that on a day-by-day basis. 

Of course I kept re-playing everything in my mind all day, and dwelling on his situation.  There was definitely a part of me that just wanted to run out there and find him and make everything ok again, but I just kept reminding myself of all your words of encouragement and support and it really helped me be strong today and stay on the course that I know is right.  Thanks all - I can't tell you guys how much this support has meant!

I had kind of a hard day today.  Without boring you with all the details, I saw someone I really didn't want to have to see.  This person, with whom I used to have a relationship and live with, is going through some hard times.  About the hardest that you can imagine.  He doesn't have a drug or alcohol problem or anything.  However, he is now homeless.  He has brought this all on himself, and has only himself to blame, but it is still hard to see him in the state he is in.  I tried for years to fix him and when I realized that no one can ever fix anyone, I tried at least to help.  But no one could make the changes or decisions that needed to be made except for him.  And he couldn't or wouldn't make them. 

After supporting him financially for many years, I was no longer able to do it.  He went to stay with some family a few months ago.  We kept in touch, and I knew his situation was tenuous at best.  I was in the uncomfortable position of having to tell him more than once, when things were falling apart for him, that he couldn't come back and live with me.  I knew a few days ago that he was going to be kicked out and gave him numbers for shelters, etc.  He said he was coming back here, and I urged him to stay where he was, as he at least had a potential job coming up.  I think part of me just didn't want to deal with the potential of seeing him homeless, right in my own back yard.

And today I saw him.  Walking Ranger in the park where I work today I saw him.  He has been living in a tent for the past few days since he got back to San Diego.  He has no plan - no money, nowhere to go.  He didn't ask me for money, said that he knew he couldn't come home with me, and that I couldn't help him.  He mostly just petted Ranger and cried.  I could barely even meet his eyes.  I feel like crap.  Worse than crap.  I can't even describe it.  This is someone I used to love, was engaged to, and still care about very much.  But I can't be the one to save him anymore.  And I had to walk away from him today and leave him to God knows what.  I am so sad for him, but I am so mad too.  Part of me felt like I would die - so full of overwhelming emotion that I couldn't express even any little bit of it or I wouldn't be able to control it.  But a horrible part of me felt cold, like this was all too much and I shouldn't have to deal with it, and I just wanted to run to the car and drive away as fast as I could.  And I am mad that Ranger had to see him and get all excited and then be confused that he didn't come home with us - I have been crying over that all night.  I don't what to feel right now.  I just can't be the one to save him anymore.  Part of me feels like a horrible evil person, and part of me knows I did all I could.  And how do I deal with the possibility of seeing him there homeless when I go to work every day?  How do I not get pulled back in to his life and try to help him again, when I just can't?  It was a pretty good day until then, and now I just want to curl into a ball and rock...

You have every right to brag - congratulation s!

I haven't ever had Ranger's teeth cleaned (although I probably should be thinking about it now), but I used to have Cabo's teeth cleaned pretty regularly - at least until he was a bit of an older guy.  He never had any issues.

Your vet sounds amazing - I mean he has really taken the time and care to explain everything to you and make sure you understand what is going on.  The fact that he is saying that you can watch the procedure is definitely something that should give you confidence.

It is scary anytime our babies have to have any medical procedure done, especially when it involves anesthesia (ok, I can't spell that), but I think in this case it is worth it.  Those teeths have got to get clean!  The Roo will be much happier and healthier when it is done...

No advice here, just sympathy.  Ranger has really been pushing the limits on morning feeding time lately, and I feel like I spend from 5:30 on every morning saying things like "No, it's not time yet.  Go lay down.  Five more minutes.  Go back to sleep.  Why do you hate Mommy?  It isn't time." 

Making a rare appearance to say....

Happy Birthday, Dale!

It can't hurt to just ask to be moved to one of the back units - all they can say is no...  

If you do have to move to the hood, I sympathize.  My living situation changed recently, and I live alone in the hood now myself.  My hood includes a gang of guys that all walk in a group with their pitbulls on chains.  

But my dogs have their own back yard (so what if it is gross and doesn't have any grass - I can at least just let them out to go potty in the middle of the night, not have to put a leash on them and get dressed to take them out myself), plus I have a stand-alone house (no shared walls with other neighbors like an apartment).  

Yeah, it sucks living in the hood.  But everyone who lives right around me has dogs as well so the atmosphere is pretty tolerant.  Most of the dogs in my little area are pit bulls or rotts.  Yes, there are downsides - I don't see the majority of my neighbors ever walking their dogs, or cleaning up their poopy yards all that often, and yes, there has been the occasional accidental pit bull fight in the front yards when someones dogs have accidentally gotten out, and all the dogs really work each other up when one starts barking.  

BUT, for sure, no one is complaining when my dogs bark or saying that my dogs are too big or are aggressive, because their dogs are big, barky and agressive.  

I guess maybe this is just a super long way of trying to look at the bright side and say that from my own personal experience maybe a "less nice" area would be a bit more tolerant...