And still I don't have a reliable internet connection. Damn you, Linksys!
But I don't really care. It's nice, because I've gotten back to the finer things in life, like enjoying a good book, which I haven't done in a while.
And it also left time for me to realize that I wanted a dog. I pondered it for a week or so and decided it was time to get a more permanent companion in my life. Deanna and I agreed to make time today to visit the shelters downtown. The first place we checked out, The Anti-Cruelty Society, actually had NO dogs whatsoever left for adoption. It was an abnormally weekend, a bittersweet situation for us. But I'm glad we didn't make a premature decision, because we had much more success at the next place.
The Animal Care & Control Center (basically the city pound) had a much greater selection. After much productive debate and discussion with Deanna and the kennel managers, we finally decided on a wonderful Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. His best feature is perhaps his big, piercing, creamy golden eyes. I named him Alexei, after the main character from my favorite book,
The Brothers Karamazov; he's wise and reserved yet youthful and energetic. He seems to be fairly well potty trained; does not bark unless he sees and hears other dogs barking; and is not awfully hard to walk, although he does zig-zag a lot, something that, among other things, just requires a little obedience training. We were a bit concerned about his size at first, as he is 45 lbs., but after discussing it with the employees, we decided he was just small enough to do fine in our apartment. He was playful all through the evening--I went out and bought him all sorts of toys and other basic necessities after we got him--but now he's completely tuckered out, having passed out in the corner on his blanket which he's already gotten used to.
So, without further ado, here is Alexei!
