Webs & Triangles

Spiders make humans scream (just ask Megan). But, I think they make splendid webs, and besides, humans make webs, too—all kinds of webs. If you look really closely, you just can’t believe how complicated and beautiful a spider web is. It’s like a gossamer curtain of silver. And, in the middle of all that beauty, the spider waits, every so patiently.

It’s been raining all day, and here we are taking advantage of a little dry spell to luxuriate under a cloudy sky still thick with rain that’s too light to fall and too heavy to rise. Saki always wants to be the most acute angle on the triangle. I let him have his way. Life is all very temporary, and I say there are some things just not worth worrying about.

Best wishes, Juno

Okay, Students. Listen Up.

"Everyone back to your seats for a pop quiz."

This is Cousin Eileen. She's a teacher, and I think she missed being in the classroom during her visit to New York. Well, since she's a creative sort of person, she simple substituted us dogs for her students. She taught us all sorts of things—you know, about history and math and current events. We also watched Wives and Daughters together and spent some quality sniffing her ankles under the breakfast table.

After she went home, Saki ate her bed. Joan wasn't happy about it, but she understood.

Best wishes, Juno

Ish's Fence & Saki's Sleepover

Such a lovely day; so soporific in its way.

Two pieces of good news. Well, first of all, you’ll be happy to know that Ish—you know him; he’s the dog who sometimes visits from across the street—is no longer spending his days and nights on a chain! John—that’s his owner—came over to tell Joan about it the other day. Here’s how it went:

Joan pulls into the driveway and gets out of the car. John walks across the street with his hands on his hips.

Joan: What’s up? What did I do wrong?

John: I just want to tell you that I put up a fence in the backyard for Ish.

Joan: Fantastic!

John: Now he can run around. He’s not on a chain.

Joan: Wow! I’m so happy.

John: Well, I just thought you’d like to know. Now you don’t have to worry about him.

Joan: Bravo! I knew you were a good man. I just knew it!

John laughs and waves goodbye. The end.

The other news is that Saki had a practice sleepover at a dogsitter’s house. The sitter and her family loved him, and Saki had a super time of it. Now he has a place to go if Joan has to be out late in the day.

Shane and me? We prefer to stay put, thank you very much. We’re way over running around all day and eating the furniture when no one’s home.

So how about all this happy news? Very pleasant, I’d say.

Best wishes, Juno

The Saki Good-Dog Project

Saki and Ish think of ways to tear up the lawn--what's left of it.

Saki is on Joan Assignment. Everywhere Joan goes, Saki must follow. No more running in the yard unless Joan’s watching him; no more eating pillows in the sunroom unless Joan’s watching him; no more…. Well, you get the idea.

Saki even has a “play pen” now (which Kyla calls “jail,” but it’s not), so we can all relax for a few minutes at a time and not worry about Saki committing crimes of social etiquette or those involving personal property—the destruction of lawns, pillows, socks, envelopes, clothespins, hoses, etc.

I think this new tactic will work, and it'll make Saki a very good dog, indeed. Like Cesar (Milan) says, a good dog needs affection, discipline, and, what was it?, exercise? Oh, dear. No wonder we can’t get this right.

Best wishes,
Juno