A Fine Old Dog

…is like a fine old wine. Mellowing and becoming more complex with age. Our dogs are aging. Many of my friends have kids the same age as mine. We met through playgroups, at the park, at the schools our kids attended. We invited dogs to join our families at a similar point too. The kids … Continue reading A Fine Old Dog

In My Own Voice #34: You Never Know What Lies on the Other Side of a Door

When you get in a car, it’s a tricky thing. There is, of course, the pleasure of watching the world go by while you remain snug and warm and without any exertion. But when that door opens, well, you just don’t know where you’ll be when you step outside. Sometimes you are about to embark … Continue reading In My Own Voice #34: You Never Know What Lies on the Other Side of a Door

Things (May) Happen for a Reason

Do you believe that things happen for a reason? Personally, I go back and forth.  Recently, what seemed to be a setback, proved to be a blessing in disguise. Due to covid-related supply chain issues, Pettigrew’s dog food is no longer available. With no expected return date. If you have been following this blog for … Continue reading Things (May) Happen for a Reason

Sometimes You’ve Gotta Do What You’ve Gotta Do

Pettigrew has been sporting a slow-growing benign melanoma for the past few years. We’ve been watching and hoping it would stop. But it just kept trucking along. Time for a little snuggle on the sofa. You can also see the melanoma if you are interested in that type of thing. It’s quite unsightly. We left … Continue reading Sometimes You’ve Gotta Do What You’ve Gotta Do

The Battle Lines Are Drawn

Do we allow data to inform our decisions or not? Pettigrew out on a walk. I had thought we were a data-driven family. As a scientist, researcher, and doctor, my husband has a healthy respect for data and its importance in developing a successful course of treatment. Or, so I thought. Apparently, his ability to … Continue reading The Battle Lines Are Drawn

A Question of Science

Pettigrew has proven to be a willing participant in my forays into scientific research. Part of it may be because food figures prominently in my study design. For information about our first study together see Food Glorious Food. The last few years there has been conflicting information about healthy eating. Fat is good; sugar is … Continue reading A Question of Science

My Dog Food Collection

When I was younger, a friend decreed, to my surprise, that I collected elephants. Lo and behold, after a few birthday parties, I had amassed a respectable number of elephants and elephant accouterments. I even learned elephant lure. Did you know elephants with their trunks pointed up are good luck? Unfortunately, I already had a … Continue reading My Dog Food Collection

Optimization Run Amuck: Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

My grandmother was the queen of optimization. The person who, after successfully getting a group to agree on where to go for dinner, would, en route, suggest numerous other restaurants. No decision was final. Good could be made better and better could be made best. Unfortunately, good often became bad as the plan fell into … Continue reading Optimization Run Amuck: Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

Support Animals

A sloth. Yes, a sloth is Pettigrew’s support animal. Surprisingly it took me a long time to realize this. First there was the recognition that he was not shredding, but cuddling with his toy sloth. Then I noticed that when he is feeling strong emotion, he tracks down his sloth and tosses him around in … Continue reading Support Animals

Wrapped Around A Furry Paw

Betrayed! In the Doghouse! After Pettigrew’s deplorable actions yesterday, these were the headers I was contemplating for my blog post. Yesterday, craving something sweet, jelly donuts preferably, I stopped in at a local bakery that caters to the large, Central American population in our neighborhood. I had been interested in it for years, but never … Continue reading Wrapped Around A Furry Paw