Footloose?

Footnoose is more like it. Talk about killing a classic! Travesty!

THE NEW CRAPPY VERSION

And here's the commentary started by me complaining on FB about the movie (Katie was watching "Teen Wolf" at the time which is what brought the '80s remake to my mind).

Oooo, Ahhh, Ohhh!

This sunset was too awesome to not share and since I was solo on my walk tonight (Oliver's heart isn't up for a brisk walk, I don't think. Or at least, I don't want to risk it. And besides, I'm not sure he's appreciate this sunset so much as much as simply pant at it), I took a picture to share it here.

It was really nice; I think I saw at least six people stop and photograph it.

Toe shoes

I don't get these things.

Thought Provoking...

Media

So not only is a prominent media outlet behaving in a way that damages the reputation of all hard-working trustworthy media outlets, but they have a woman at the helm. It's like a two for one.
Fantastic. Well done.
http://www.npr.org/2011/07/17/138199201/news-international-ex-chief-brooks-reported-arrested?sc=fb&cc=fp

Harry Potter

Was wandering the web and found some potter stuff. I haven't seen the final one yet but have plans to do so in the coming weeks. With friends. And a box of tissues.

Love these portraits

Photo Seed!

The new site of a colleague and friend...
http://photoseed.com/

Not Usually My Taste

Me to Dad ( a classical music fan), "I am listening to classical music while I work on my computer. Voluntarily.
Hm."

Dad, "I tell ya, the world's goin' to hell in a handbasket!"

Bryant Park Derby!

Dance

These are some favorites form past shows. I haven't been watching much this season. Too antsy for it or maybe I got spoiled in FL with me Tivo!  I know I've listed these before but why not again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_037Ti8hwPE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh5biGNhXCs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnguqsMQmg4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C18rL6kGPM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H62SVAHGr1E&feature=related

More Breed Stuff

Now that I am home from work I can look more closely at the paperwork sent about Oliver's breed mix. Here is what could be part of the "mixed breed" part of his ancestry. Too funny, I think.

Another One via Pinterest

Oliver's "Lineage"

We have all been wondering. People ask me when they meet Oliver. Along with "How old is he?"  I get, "WHAT is he?"  Even the vets are stumped. Well, be stumped no more!

Many of these traits are no surprise. I've been pretty sure, because of his pork chop ears, excessive shedding, and the spots that show on his back when I trim him short, that he had some kind of cocker in him. I am surprised though that there seems to be so much cocker there! And the Irish Wolfhound? Talk about random!  It does explain Oliver's height. He's not big, by any means, but he is not as short as a typical cocker, either.

Still no answer on where the big fluffy curly tail comes from.

Good Quote...

which I came across today on pinterest.com
"Don't do something permanently stupid just because you're temporarily upset".

Oliver

I am grateful for these days. Long lazy ones where I am doing little aside from people watching, chatting, wandering the web, eating good food, and best of all, being with my Oliver. I am grateful for these days because it is coming more apparent to me that he will not make it to another summer.

So far, it's been a good summer. A great one, really (he's still here, after all!) I thought he went missing last week-end, but as it turned out, he had followed my dad down to the docks and dad decided to take him along for the boat ride. His first boat ride! At fifteen years old! Not bad.

He is slowing down appreciably. Physically, he is not the dog of last summer. Not much  running around, chasing the younger dogs. I am thankful that he seems to know his limits and lays low consciously. He does wander from time to time, but never goes far. If he wanders with any conviction, he returned panting in excess; a side effect of his heart problem. It simply doesn't pump quite right and he breathes heavier to compensate, albeit unsuccessfully. So, we are all conscious of this and sort-of encourage him to not move around so much. It's good that he is happy to simply be. That is clear. Last night he laid on my lap on the couch, purring/groaning/moaning louder than I have heard him do before, for a very long time.

I think his taste buds are going along with his sight and his hearing. He doesn't eat as much as I'd like him to. So now, because he is growing a bit skinny, I give him treats more often, small table scraps, plus I add a very small amount of ground beef to his kibble and he eats it right up. It's very exciting for him. He sort of bounces on his toenails in anticipation of the ground beef addition when he seems me heating it (I know heating it is silly, but it just seems inedible cold).

To look at him he still looks like a puppy. People say that all the time. They are surprised when I tell them his age when they ask. When I truly stop and look, he is an aging man. A sweet, aging man. I think about his antics in years past – running around like a wild man, chasing lizards, humping all the other dogs at the dog park, sticking his head out the window with such interest, attacking the mail as it came through the mail slot, and the general excitement for everyday stuff that only dogs can show.

It's a different phase I hadn't thought about witnessing. I guess I thought he'd just be one way until the end. I never thought I'd have an aging dog on my hands. He is not decrepit by any means, he is perfectly content, and his quality of life is great. He is not suffering. For this I am grateful, but the aging, the slow slipping away of him? I just hadn't thought about that part. I love him in any capacity, and I will continue to love him and hold on to him until it seems his quality of life is in jeopardy. I will not tolerate him in pain.

I worry about how he will go. I know it is morbid, but I cannot help it. I am crossing my fingers it will be in his sleep (please, let it be in his sleep!). But, if he is awake, I hope that I am with him (please, let me be with him).

Now I will wipe the tears of anticipatory grief from my eyes, because after all, there is nothing to grieve - he is snoring at me feet! He is still here! And he is still happy to follow me around and lay at my feet...or the feet of whomever might scratch him behind the ears next or pass him a treat. And we are all happy to give it to him!

I don't know how he doesn't get a neck ache!

I took this while trying out a new ring light. Sort of as magazine portrait effect.

Waiting for treats. You'll notice his bum isn't quite sitting. He's sort-of faking it.