Mary & Sassy came for another delightful visit yesterday.  Sassy decided she 'needed' to bark more at Pokey - and also steal some of her grapes (most of which we were able to get away from her.)  

Mary arrived bearing gifts: some Kneaders pumpkin bread as a 'feel better' offering for Tom. Unfortunately he was nauseated (from the pain?) so that had to wait.  Happily that misery did seem to fade, and by dinner time he was able to eat some chicken soup and a slice of the bread.

Originally grocery shopping had been on his agenda, but obviously that wasn't happening so I ended up going.  Then I topped off my afternoon by giving Brownie a bath with his new medicated shampoo; definitely needed to do that before the cleaners arrived Friday morning!  Though he's scratching less his rash isn't looking any better, but maybe this will help?

He, of course, was not at all thrilled with his bath - so I was surprised that afterward he still stuck close by me.  Guess I'm forgiven?  

Wednesday night, after I'd gone to sleep, Tom heard a coyote howling right outside the house, "synchronizing" with nearby sirens.  Then last evening, while we were having our dinner, a rat (!) ran across the back patio.  Brownie seemed to corner it behind the towel chest, and waited a long time for it to reappear (which is never did.)  Hopefully it got scared enough to think twice about coming up by the house!

 

We don't keep dog food outside, though Pokey doesn't always finish off her fruits and veggies.  So we may have to set another trap out there (have caught a rat in the garage), somewhere Brownie can't get at it.