the Dalaverse

I went home last night mostly for the purpose of picking up stuff I forgot when I moved it -- my chair, an umbrella, my field school notes, riding stuff, etc. This afternoon I took Ralphie to this doggy swim thing at a local pool with Jessie, Mrs. H, and their dogs Haley and Gryffin(dor). There were more dogs than I have ever seen in one place before, and a multitude of breeds. I used to be into dogs (you shut up and stop looking at me like that) before I got one of my own, and now I have seen a Japanese Chin up close and in person. I didn't know until now that it was one of those cross-it-off-a-list-before-you-die things.

Our dogs had a good time, I think. Haley loved the water and took off all over the place. Gryffin, the Italian greyhound puppy -- not so much. When Jess took him into the pool, he promptly clawed his way up her chest and sat on her shoulders. I have hilarious pictures and may share them when I get ahold of them. I must accept the fact that my dog is a wuss. He can swim, but he would only do so when I got into the water with him. I swear he was the only retriever not merrily leaping into the deep end after thrown tennis balls. Tennis balls bore him, and all he wanted to do was chase smaller dogs and follow me around.

At one point I was trying to coax him back into the water, so I jumped into what looked like an ankle-deep part of the pool. It turned out to be a bit deeper, and I tripped and wiped out. I broke one of my beloved Reefs and skinned my right knee all to hell. I don't think I've had such a perfect fell-off-my-bike injury since, well, the last time I fell off my bike. It doesn't hurt much, but it bled a lot and it's now really cool gross-looking. I cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide and put a bandage on it, which has now been replaced with gauze and tape from Ness's first aid kit so it can breathe while I sleep. Also, I only have one more bandage. Er, I hope it doesn't get infected from the chlorine-free, doggified water that seeped into it?

I just felt the need to share that story. Carry on.