HAYYYYY!! OK ........ I have started taking Roscoe to the dog park every couple of days. I like the fact that he can run, run, and run .. ie the dog park tires Mr. Man OUT! While watching and following Roscoe, I've made a few observations that I would like to share with the class:

1. For some reason, small dogs [ie .. teacup size] feel this overwhelming need to bark whenever another dog or person comes within "their" space. WHY?? There are 15 various dogs running around, but Fe-Fe has to tell everyone to "talk to the hand."

2. You have owners like me, who trail behind their dogs just to make sure there on no fights on the school yard. And then you have others who grab a seat, start reading their book or get on the cell phone. And if their dog is involved in a throwdown, the only action is to yell across the yard, "Ray-Ray be nice! Ray-Ray play nice!" Lady, Ray-Ray is laying on top of another dog, and growling if anyone comes near.

3. Even though the park has an "doggie" water fountain, it is never operational. Therefore, I always bring a bottle of cold water and bowl for Mr. R. If another dog comes along and starts drinking from the bowl, no problem, the water is for everyone. However, I have actually seen owners push other dogs away from water bowls they place on the ground. Lady, your dog just spent five minutes smelling every other dog's butt in the park .. we can all share the Evian.

Meanwhile, back at the Hall of Justice ........

HAYYYYY!! OK ........ Another Roscoe adventure, or the case of the over protective owner. You decide. Last Wednesday night, Roscoe swallowed some piece of plastic that I am almost certain he picked up from outside.

I had just brought him in from our nightly walk, and went to laundry room. I knew he was behind me, and then heard him go up the steps. Next thing I knew, he was throwing up yellow bile. This was followed by a few more spit ups, one of which contained the piece of plastic. I checked all his toys, but nothing was missing. Most of his toys are usually just the husk of some stuffed dog toy. By the first day, I generally have to remove all the stuffing since he chewed into the head, feet and stomachs of these poor animals. Do you know how weird it is to constantly see a stuffed pig with only eye, and you know they are thinking, "you let him do this to me!" For the rest of the night, he just laid beside me .. but I would be too, after throwing up six or seven times.

When I came home for lunch the next day, he acted better, but still sluggish. He did not want to play with Mr. Rabbit or the Kong ball, just lay around and watch Daddy eat lunch. Now I knew this was not like Roscoe, so I began to worry. Back at work, I mentioned his behavior to a co-worker, who stated, "its better to be safe than sorry," so I called the vet.

We drive up up the vet and he is already excited! Can't wait to get inside, can't wait to be fawned over by the vet assistants. This was not the same dog four hours ago! "Oh, Roscoe aren't you so handsome, .... aren't you so cute ... come and look at this little pug." Of course, I barely get a hello, while Roscoe works the runway down to his examining room, tail just a waggin. I know he's thinking, "Who me? ... I'm cute? ... I try to be modest." Now I want to throw up!

Once we get into the examining room and the vet comes in, I begin telling her why we are supposed to be needing medical attention. Meanwhile, Roscoe is just licking the vet's hand and face, tail a waggin! She checks his mouth, temperature, and belly .. but finds nothing wrong, only that Roscoe needs to lose a few pounds.

Loose a few pounds?? I'm thinking, "lady look here, my dog only eats dog food 99% of the time, goes for lengthy walks every evening, his food is measured out, etc. Who are you to judge? When was last time you look at yourself in the mirror naked?" But I kept these thoughts to myself.

End result ........ an over protective parent paying a $106.00 vet bill!

Meanwhile. back at the Hall of Justice ........