Maria went to work early this morning; I was dozing happily alone when her Wake-Up-Squad, a band of dog thugs she trained to assault me if I slept late truck.
They have figured out how to open the door from the downstairs and also the door to the bedroom. And boy, are they having a good time!
I pulled the covers over my head and refused to get up, and they retreated. But they came back two more times, jumped on the bed, nose under the blanks, and ran me out of my own bed.
And Maria wasn’t even in the house! She’s a Dr. Frankenstein with three monsters at her beck and call. Zinnia sits on me, Fate licks my face, and Bud burrows underneath the blankets.
It definitely wakes me right up.
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Saturday, I was hoping to see my granddaughter and daughter at the Bronx Zoo. I had to cancel the trip, I’ve been summoned for some medical tests. We’ll do it in a week or so.
Today I’m also going to the bike store to talk with my friend Caleb about buying a smaller bike. The e-bike is not right for me, but I haven’t given up on biking.
I’m thinking of a small, not-electric, simple bike; there are some lovely country roads around here.
I’ll see.
Jon…
As you said on radio, dogs are creatures of routine. The “thugs” are just being dogs, doing as they were trained. But, are they smart!
Jon…
I have no skin in this game, but an old-fashioned “cruiser bike” might work out for you. Compared with an “English Racer,” a typical cruiser has a heavier frame, wider tires, a chain guard, and coaster brakes (aka, pedal brakes) instead of hand brakes. They are usually more comfortable and easier on the body (upright seating position and wider padded seats). Most have longer handlebars convenient for accessories. Cruisers are available as single-speed or with modest gearing.
Nowadays, categories exist for “comfort bikes” and “hybrids.” I’m not familiar with those.
At a time, my wife was looking for a casual bike for riding in the neighborhood. The cruiser was right for her. We got it at Sears, but Huffy and Schwinn also makes them.
I had both types, but am expert at neither. In younger days, I liked the racer’s performance, but later had to give it up due to back tightness. Now, I wouldn’t ride either type on a two-lane highway with truck traffic. As a kid, I thought I was invincible, but not sure today’s drivers are as careful.
I have the answer!!! The chicken whose feet are pictured at the top of the photo is the REAL orchestrator of the thug squad. You can see how carefully they’re not making eye contact with it to give it away…
I used to brag about my current Airedale letting me sleep late. HA! That phase has passed. Now that she has settled in, she has definite ideas about when sleeping humans should get up and get busy. Dogs like to start the day as early as possible. Lots of things to do, chipmunks to stalk, sheep to circle, therapy work. In Zada’s case, tennis balls to chase. Get moving – that’s the common theme!