This last month has just been soggy. And by soggy, I mean it rained and rained and didn't stop and we are trapped inside and I think we've all lost it.

This is Texas. We're used to brief, torrential bouts of rain, usually in the spring. It's dark, stormy, scary, but then it passes and the sun comes out again. But a few weeks ago? Over a weekend? It rained 33 of 34 hours STRAIGHT.

I realize I'm whining. And we do need the rain. But ENOUGH ALREADY! Fall in Texas is supposed to be lovely. Warm, not hot - it's perfect. Usually. Not this year. We can't go to agility class. We can't go on the trails. The dogs don't even want to go out in the yard. They are finding new and creative ways to amuse themselves, which are in turn increasing my anxiety level.



It did dry up enough for Thor and me to go to a couple agility trials, and he was a pretty good dog. There was a photographer at one who got some nice shots.





But then. The worst thing happened. Thor came up lame at class last week. He didn't want to run. I cried; I panicked; I called the holistic vet and got him in ASAP. She did some acupuncture and chiro work and gave the good news that she thought this injury was minor and he'd definitely be able to keep doing agility after a few weeks of rest.

I'm not sure exactly what he did, but I think it's just a strain of some sort. It definitely doesn't seem like a disc issue to me, and he seems to be better now. I've been keeping him quiet and using a heating pad on him a few times a day and he's looking more sound to me. We're heading back to the vet this week and next, and he's scheduled for a massage next week too. He's in great shape and so I think that's helping the recovery.

When we get back into the swing of things, we'll take it slow, take extra care with warmups, cooldowns and stretches, and cross our fingers. But man, I hope it comes sooner than later. Thor is a dog that needs a job, and agility is his employer. When he's bored he's a pain in the butt. On Sunday, I was cleaning out our closet, and put some purses on the bed. I looked over and saw Thor nibbling on something. Turned out, it was a PACK OF GUM!!! Containing xylitol - poisonous to dogs! Hello, Thor! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?

(And yeah I know it's my fault for leaving it where he could get it, but just grr!!)

Having fostered for a few years now, I'm experienced with stupid dogs who eat stupid stuff, so I keep a couple things handy: hydrogen peroxide and the ASPCA Poison Control hotline number: 888-426-4435. I know gum isn't corrosive (some poisons are, so best to call vet first), so I shoved some peroxide down Thor's throat and made him barf. Sure enough, little pink pieces came up. Then I made the call, and it was worth the $60 fee to learn Orbit has low xylitol and Thor would be fine. (and he is!)

With the rain, it's also been cooler, which is like Kryptonite to Napoleon. He hates wet grass, and is super dramatic about not wanting to potty when it's damp. After some discussion, he usually goes, but never without a protest. It hasn't gotten too cold yet, but it was 64 degrees on Sunday and he was shivering. He always tries to burrow in things to keep warm. I came home to find that he was wearing a cape.



I should of course be glad he didn't suffocate or anything, but it was hard to stop laughing long enough to take that photo.

And Fred. Oh Fred. Pulled up to the house and saw this one day.



NOT amused, Fred. I stopped the car and looked at him, and he just barked at me. Today I came home to see him up there again. Here's what his perch looks like from inside:



He did a nice job, rearranging that blanket. It really does look comfy!



I'm hoping soon we'll get more sun and I'll be able to take my healthy dogs out to enjoy it. I know it's been raining a lot everywhere lately, so hoping you and your dogs are finding ways to cope!