A dog lovers guide to single life

Fleas and other itchies

2011-09-04T15:49:00.001-07:00

We are trying something new this month. The fleas and ticks are horrid here, especially with the heat and humidity. The Frontline stopped working, the Frontline knockoff stopped working, and I don't want to keep giving them chemicals. So...

We are going holistic and herbal. We are trying garlic powder and brewers yeast. One teaspoon of each in their food. We are also going to get the diametreous (sp?) powder to treat the yard. Hopefully this will work. I'll keep y'all posted.

Happiness is a warm puppy...

2011-08-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

After a hard day earning the doggy biskies, the single dog lover just wants a cold beer and a warm puppy.

Educating the single dog lover

2011-08-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

The single dog lover has been a ghost for a long while. Working on a doctorate in education takes time, patience, and sanity. None of which are qualities that a single dog lover can own up to. So how does one stay sane with work, school, and being the doggy momma? One takes up horseback riding lessons. I must say that the houndies are not amused. Why does momma smell like a really strange doggy? This is a question that I must answer every Saturday.

Who let the dogs in?

2010-06-22T10:00:00.001-07:00

Interesting insurance commercial on television last night. This guy, sitting on the couch and attempting to read the paper, kept having to move the paper because his dogs (large breed) wanted to sit on his lap. I think I see the problem. How dare he sit on THEIR couch and read the paper when there were, obviously, doggies to love on. Humans! Pffft!

Playing Tourist

2010-04-25T07:13:00.001-07:00

How does the single dog lover appreciate her surroundings more? She plays tourist in her home state. The other day we decided to trek to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior Arizona. A not-so-long jaunt East of Phoenix. It takes about 90 minutes to get there from my house. For those who've never been there, take the 202 East to the 60. Take the 60 East past Apache Junction. The Arboretum is right off the 60. Close enough to hear the rumble of the car tires on the highway as you enjoy the beautiful exhibits.

Going in April, when you have severe allergies to pollen, would probably not be a good idea. But it is a great place to spend a sunny, spring day. The exhibits cover desert plants (cacti and succulents), herbs, flowers, and other plant life.

There are several trails that visitors can take. None more than 1/2 a mile long. But if you take all the trails, you will get in a nice workout. Not to mention see some specatular sites. I managed to fill the memory card of my DSLR with some great shots.

It's a great place to go if you are interested in the flora and fauna of Arizona, or if you are just into playing tourist in Arizona. I look forward to my next destination.

If I wanted to work with insects, I'd be in Congress

2010-03-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

Spiders at the office are not what I signed up for. Particularly mutant spiders who look like they should be studied by science. Seriously, when did being one of the guys mean that you had to be all macho about creepy crawlies? If I wanted to kill bugs, I'd work for Orkin!

Back to the old grind

2010-02-26T10:17:00.000-08:00

Back to work after our lovely vacation in the Santa Ynez Wine Country. Now to count down until our next vacation.

So how does the single dog lover deal with working a 9-5 (or 7-5) job? She surfs the internet and works on her book. I can't believe how much information there is on being a couple, and how little there is on being a single. Interesting. Why does the world think that I am only happy being 1/2 of a couple? Why can't I be 1/6 of a fur family?

Vacations (or a visit with the support group)

2010-02-23T07:19:00.001-08:00

It's been a bit since our last posting. Work, school, and cleaning out litter boxes does not make for great literature. But the furkids and I just got back from a single dog lovers idea of the perfect vacation. A nice jaunt to the Greyhound Gathering in Solvang, California. A perfectly dog friendly town. They would have to be - over 200 people and over 100 dogs took over their town. Thank dog it rained, the smell of doggy doody would have overpowered us by Sunday.

In that lovely town, the girlies and I were welcomed, pampered, and fed to our hearts content. Many loveley things were purchased, and many lovely foods were eaten. But we, or rather they, are glad to be back in our own beds. A lesson learned for houndie lovers. While the single pet lover enjoys getting together with other pet lovers, the pets would rather stay in their own bed.

But my advice for all single dog lovers is to take a trip to Solvang for some weekend. You will love it, and they will welcome your houndies.

Cali says...

2010-01-25T19:28:00.001-08:00

Why be normal? 8 year old puppies have much more fun than old lady houndies.

Weekends

2010-01-25T19:26:00.001-08:00

The single pet lover spends her weekends spreading the word about animal adoption. And pedicures. No single pet lover would be caught dead with naked toes.

Christmas Shopping and the Single Dog Lover

2009-12-05T10:42:00.001-08:00

How does a single dog lover go Christmas shopping for children? By borrowing the children of other shoppers. Single people should be exempt from shopping for children. Can't we just give them money?

Thanksgiving

2009-11-28T07:52:00.001-08:00

How does the single dog lover celebrate a family holiday devoted to gluttony? By doing a 5K and then taking a nap with the houndies. My weekend family time is watching the houndies run in the yard, sleep in sunbeams, and give me love. Hopefully I can score some leftover turkey from my sister for the houndies. Single dog lovers don't cook holiday dinners, they cater.

Black Friday

2009-11-22T16:55:00.001-08:00

Why in dog's name would otherwise sane people get up at 2 am to stand in line for 6 hours just to have the chance to buy an ipod at 40% off? I'm sleeping in with the hounds. That's how a single dog lover celbrates Black Friday. By getting up at the crack of noon and drinking coffee.

Saturday's

2009-11-21T12:24:00.001-08:00

How does the single dog lover enjoy her weekend? By watching the doggy bliss her pups enter when they lay in the sunbeams in the yard. If only I could find bliss with something so simple.

Couples in the park

2009-11-18T19:11:00.001-08:00

The single dog lover is at a disadvantage at the park. While couples are walking their adorable puppies, the single dog walker wrestles hers. Why do I smile and they do not?

How does a single dog lover spend a quality Saturday

2009-11-08T16:26:00.001-08:00

She takes her dogs on a charity 5K.

There were so many dogs at the Veterans day 5K. It was awesome. Even dogs have civic pride.

exes

2009-10-29T20:27:00.001-07:00

And then there are the ex-whatevers that think you want to hear from them. If I wanted to hear from them, they would not be exes.

Diets

2009-10-24T19:06:00.001-07:00

Why don't they make diet menu's for single people? I have enough to deal with, don't make me do lots of math to break down recipes from serving's of 4-6 to a single serving. The single dog lover doesn't need to cook for more than one or two. The dogs eat kibble.

Who takes care of you when you're single?

2009-10-15T14:50:00.001-07:00

Well, I am going through a bout of pneumonia and the doctor asked if I had anyone to take care of me. I laugh as I type this. I have dogs all over the bed, giving me love and companionship. Occasionally, nurse Widow glares and huffs at me. I should be sleeping, not playing on the computer. Who needs a human nurse, when my canine companions give me the same care.

The beginning...

2009-10-13T10:45:00.001-07:00

There are really no good guides to living and loving the single life. How does one find acceptance living the life of pooper scoopers and doggy coats when surrounded by diaper bags and "mommy and me" classes? Is it unacceptable to be a single dog lover in a married persons world?

I mean, I'd date, but who could I find that my dogs would accept? If they don't make room on the bed for me, would they make room for a possible mate?

One of my relatives asked me why I wasn't married. Husbands provide love, affection, and support.

Thanks - but I've got dogs for that.