I Think

I grew up having trouble with human relations and so the kind of story I am working on now is a real challenge, in keeping six characters engaged in an isolated situation. Much of what they are doing is based on hearsay.

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I bought Seven Dust for my cactus. There is an incorrigible band of insects bent on devouring them. Lately, we get a shower every day. Waiting for a zero rain day to apply.

Somebody floated the idea of taking the unescorted illegal children crossing our border and adopting them out to families in other countries. Besides being cumbersome, slow and probably unworkable, this also has got to be illegal.

I don't understand why Rocky has started getting fat. I give him 13 oz of wet dog food and a couple of scoops of dry food, plus a dental chew and a small bagged treat, every day. If I give him any table scraps, it is in the form of unseasoned meat, about the size of a chicken nugget.

Just in case you're not being facetious...I'd recommend cutting down the wet food amount by about a third. Perhaps even cut down the same amount with the dry. How much does he weigh? How's his exercise level?

Illegal hasn't stopped the USA before, Ed. Y'all could spray the with agent orange or napalm them or feed the depleted uranium. Not much to stop the good ole USA imagination.

Rocky gets exercise. He runs at top speed along the fence frequently. I have to cut back on the food, but it doesn't seem like he eats so much for a big dog.

He's probably sneaking round to a neighbour's back door and pretending to be hungry.

I'm not exactly sure what food you're giving him but realize that all foods are not created equal. Sometimes just switching over to a higher nutritional content food with no cereal filler and that uses a better source of protein can make a difference.

One simple answer is try cutting the wet food down first by a third and don't free feed ..especially at night. That method worked for me when I had my Border Collie, which brought him from 65 lbs down to 60 lbs in a month or 6 weeks without him 'asking' for more. I also sed Blue Buffalo brand, but there are several good brands that are good that use no cereal or odd sources of protein blends.

How long are his exercise sessions in a typical day? Are they more than 20 minutes? If he runs along the fence, for example, in shortish bursts...but doesn't sustain exercise activity for say a half an hour...maybe that is not enough? I know how hot and uncomfy it is there where you are..so it's hard to advise as to what's too much for any critter..2 or 4-legged.

In FL here, I'm careful about the outdoor exercise for my dog. Inow have a different dog now (13-lb Poodle) so I can exercise her in-doors mostly during the 6 -month summer blaze season.

Rocky does not enjoy hot weather. But he runs the fence whenever a truck and trailer passes, when school kids are about, when the kids with four wheelers run up and down the street and when people walking dogs pass by. We fight for possession of his chew toys a few times a day. When I get home from work he's often prowling the back yard, keeping us safe from squirrels and cats.

also, I'm sure you realize as dogs age, their metabolism slows down. However, the being said, with the extreme heat, he might no be getting the steady level of exercise he needs to keep added weight off.

My recommendation is to cut down the wet food (or change over to a denser more nutritious blend) and see what happens after a month or 6 weeks.

Petsmart stores (national chain) carries Blue Buffalo dry and wet food. I'd try a few cans of their varieties of wet food...and see what happens for 6 weeks. I'd try about 8 oz per day..instead of 13 oz. Regardless of whether or not you use BB, I'd try 8 0z instead of 13 oz per day.

We finally got dry in the forecast. Guess I am forced to mow. And put the dust over the cactus. There's just one thing I want you to do. Talk me out of it.

Don't do it Ed!!.

Relax, listen to some music.

You've earned it.

Anyway when do these forecasters ever get it right.

I mowed along the street just now. Fortunately, you got here just in time to talk me out of going back out there. It's brutal. Aye, and hot, even.

I swept leaves in my backyard for about five minutes, and called it quits.

That's enough yardwork for the summer.

Goes against the grain for me to be telling you not to finish the job Ed.
Great believer in if it needs doing, get it done... otherwise it'll still be there waiting for you tomorrow.

But seeing as it's the Sabbath I'll let it go.

Truthfully, I did all I planned to do today. I will finish the rest Monday or Tuesday.

All in your own good time boss.