I'm In A War...

Fleas.

My house has been attacked.

Ginger and Socrates left me a pricey present.

Round #1 - I salted the entire house. Someone told me you cover house with a layer of salt, let it sit for awhile and then clean it all up. No more fleas. Not the case! It took me hours to get the salt up and still have fleas.
Fleas:1 Beth:0

Round #2- Raid flea bombs. I thought 3 then was told that would be too many. I did 3 anyways. When I showed up expecting no fleas, I was jumped! Sigh.
Fleas:2 Beth:0

Round#3- Goes down between 6-8pm tonight. The Orkin man is coming. He will be visiting me 4 times. He was pricey. (Reasonable though when you have been attacked!) He does come with a money back guarantee. This one is mine boys!
Fleas:2 Beth:1 (hopefully.)

How to Live Like Socrates

So this morning while checking email, I saw this on my "How-To" sidebar.

"How to Live Like Socrates" (taken from Wiki-How)

1. Begin by reading some of Plato's dialogues.
2. Don't change your life immediately.
3. Follow Socratic principles and ideals.
4. If you truly wish to live like Socrates, then you need to devote yourself entirely to philosophy and searching for the truth.
5. Make sure where you debate with others is in a public area.
6. Never be afraid to voice what your think, or more importantly the truth.
7. Never fear death.
8. Show humility.
9. Remember the Socratic paradoxes.
10. Stick to your principles even in the face of death.
11. Be sure to "know thyself".
12. Meet distinguished or influential people.
13. Remember that the truth is the most important thing ever and you must do everything you can to find it.

While interesting, I thought I wonder what my Socrates' list would be...

"How to Live Like Socrates (the dog)"

1. Begin by looking as cute as possible so the humans take you home.

2. Change owner's life immediately.

3. Follow owner as close as possible to her heels.

4. If you truly wish to live like Socrates, you must eat twice a day, take as many naps as possible, and eat something of the owner's at least once a week.

5. Make sure when you bark is when humans are asleep.

6. Never be afraid to bark at 5:45am. Your owner should know that you think it is time to play.

7. Be afraid of everything that comes near you.

8. Show love.

9. Remember to jump on owner when covered in mud.

10. Stick to the couch when all else fails.

11. Be sure to "mark your territory."

12. Meet other dogs with loud bark or ferocious growl.

13. Remember being handsome is the most important thing ever and you must do anything you can to be that way.

Socrates Update

Socrates has been around for two weeks now. Yep, I am going to be one of those bloggers who shares every little update on pet/children with readers. It's my blog. I can do what I want to. ;)Here is a little update...

Scared of everything
Does well in big group situations (game night)
Coat is looking much better
Bonded with me (follows me everywhere)
Likes to chase after balls but does not bring them back
Likes to throw ball to himself
Not a big fan of Justin
This week accident free!
Learning to leash walk at the greenway
Loves veggies!
Tried to get in hammock with me (that did not go so well)
Nightly needs to go out about 3am and does not hesitate to let me know (sigh)
Still unsure if he knows his name (he has had it at least 5 months!)

Overall, I love having him around. He is such a sweet looking dog, just has many quirks.

Sunday Afternoon

A Sunday afternoon spent the way it should be...

in a hammock,

with one of your best pals,

and a dog by your side.

Can't wait for next Sunday!

Socrates

A few weeks ago I started looking seriously for a dog. I have been wanting one since early fall and with my move it provided the perfect opportunity to get one. (Plus a perfect yard!)

My friend Sarah told me about a rescue agency named Bonaparte's Retreat. She sent me a link and while scrolling my heart leaped at this...

After about a month of ups and downs and even a couple of tears because I did not think it was going to happen, Socrates came home to me on Friday evening. I am in love.

He has a lot of fear issues. Lots. I have not done anything this weekend besides read (finished 3 James Patterson novels) and hang out with Soc. Getting him to eat takes awhile. Getting him to go outside takes awhile. Getting him to come close for a rub down takes awhile. Patience will be my middle name. We did go to the park on Saturday morning to meet up with his friends. For the first time and only time so far I saw his tail up and wagging. It made my heart happy. Hopefully in a couple of weeks, I will have a happy dog. Say your prayers.

Since he also fears getting his picture made, these are the only ones I have managed so far.

Yes, those are his ribs. :(

One of his perkier moments...

What a handsome guy!