I didn't take Benson to daycare today. I was too tired. So I worked from home, had calls all day, and he napped in the sun.

We took a walk around 2.15, stopping for an iced horchata latte, and I chatted with a nice man who admired Benson and showed me pictures of his grandson hanging out with his pittie.

After work, I fixed a cocktail and changed into a caftan to lay out on the couch. Benson came up to me, climbed on the couch and laid his whole weight on me and belched in my face while I struggled to sit up.

This goofball. He looked at me with big eyes and laid his head on my chest while I scratched his scruff.

He's sleeping now and making little bark noises under his breath while the neighbors across the courtyard have game night.

It's the simple things.

#SoftLife
#SelfCare
#BlackMastodon
#DogsOfMastodon #dogsOfBayArea
#BensonUpdate #Today

Now I just need to figure out the command 'Place'.

What is it for? How should I use it? How do I teach it to Benson?

#dogsofmastodon #DogsOfBayArea
#DogMama
#DogTraining

Sigh.
While I understand why we have a no pets in office policy, it still sucks.

I could have used the emotional and mental distraction this week.

[Yep. Benson forced us to clarify our guidelines and now it's clear. Sorry, boi. No more work with Mommy days.]

What does your office do?

#DogsOfMastodon
#dogs
#dogsOfBayArea

It's funny how we let dogs into our homes/lives. They've got big teeth; big heavy paws with claws. They used to be dangerous.

But I'm doting on this guy, calling him Schmoopie face and Bubba and Fartacus. Diligently feeding him treats by hand, checking his ears, teeth and poops. Wiping his ouchie spots. Leaning over him as he sleeps, watching his chest rise and fall, listening to him snore. The only person I do this for is my 79 yo father. After heart surgery.

We probably have a lot of conditions for the people we let into our lives.

But dogs...we open our hearts wide. We scoop them up and never look back. We take their love and run.

#dogs
#dogsOfBayArea #DogsOfMastodon
#BensonUpdate

#Today
#BensonUpdate #DogsOfMastodon #dogsOfBayArea
#sfba #PublicTransit #SanFrancisco #Oakland

God BLESS that nice AC Transit bus driver who let me and Benson ride home after a really long day at the office.

Yep, we skipped daycare today. I was not feeling like walking 5 miles today to/from West Oakland. So Benson came to work with me and we had a great day.

He had pets from everyone; he peed on a coworker who wrestled with him and got him all excited; he pooped in the city and even investigates human excrement in the minna street alley; he had treats; i got work done; I was able to stay later at the office; we rode the train home easily and now this bus ride which helped keep both of us into exhaustion. We're tired but not burned. #WeOld

Also, Benson really likes spending time with me. The big lug is snoring now. He ate, wiped his face on his dog tote, and crashed.

I might do the same.

[Alt text: Blue nose pittie under a work desk with said nose and one eye peeking out.]

Alicia the Dog Trainer is so reassuring.

Yeah, it could be that's her schtick. But I need her schtick. I need the confidence to be Benson's guardian.

Today we concentrated on building my leash skills and helping Benson understand what his role is when we are Working, i.e., on the leash.

Turns out the discipline I use when it's time to get Benson on/off the BART is the same discipline I should be using in most situations.

But, she reminded me, it's also a time for me and Benson to find ways to celebrate how far we've come. He's a happy, safe dog now and that's nothing to sneeze at.

So we celebrated with two ciders at Ben N Nick's for me and a basket of unsalted fries for Benson.

#BensonUpdate #LadyBachelor
#SorryNotSorry #DogFarts #DogsOfMastodon #DogsOfBayArea #sfba #Oakland

Benson the blue nose pittie staring up at me while squeezing himself under my desk into a pittie ball. Waiting for head scritches and rabbit treats.

#BensonUpdate
#DogsOfMastodon #dogsOfBayArea

Picking up Benson after my 90 minute massage was awesome. We walked in the gorgeous sunshine, said hi to other dogs (from a distance), 💩💩 on flowers.

When we got back to Rockridge, I needed to find some water (note to self: have a bottle of tap in his go bag), and stopped at a hipster cafe for a bottle. Sigh. They only had artisanal sparkling water. I poured it into his travel water bowl.

The look he gave me.
Insulted. Hurt. Puzzled.

Benson is not a fancy dog. He likes plain tap.

#BensonUpdate
#DogsOfMastodon #dogsOfBayArea

Evidently he’s bored 🤭But beautifully so. Keeping my books and papers warm. #Bo #DogsOfBayArea #DogsOfMastodon

I get to my desk in great morning to work, and Bo trails right behind me. As I sit down, he pops into the couch with an attitude of “ ok! Let’s get to work now!” How much do I love this pup? #Dogs #DogsOfBayArea #DogsOfMastodon

Such a happy guy. We are so blessed he came into our life. #Bo #DogsOfBayArea #DogsOfMastodon #Doodles #Wildcat

No one is happier than Cookie that I’ve recovered from Covid

#DogsOfMastodon #Dogs #DogsOfBayArea

Does anyone else get all emotional when they see their doggo on the daycare webcam? And want them to make friends and be popular?

Just me?

#DogsOfBayArea #DogsOfMastodon

She is a potato #dogsofmastadon #dogsOfBayArea

There has been.. weather.

#DogsOfMastodon #Dogs #DogsOfBayArea

Benson really hates the rain. My poor plus size boi.

(He's snoring in the bathroom, wearing his cozy new yellow+blue turtleneck windbreaker. He looks like a UofM football coach who lost a game.)

#XXL
#BensonUpdate
#DogsOfMastodon #dogsOfBayArea

Cookie is enjoying a lie-in in this weather

#DogsOfMastodon #Dogs #DogsOfBayArea

I always want to cuddle this face

#DogsOfMastodon #Dogs #DogsOfBayArea

Cookie also gets in line to await her order at a coffee shop (she gets 20 dog treats from the barista here, I get 1 coffee)

#DogsOfMastodon #Dogs #DogsOfBayArea

Whattaface. #Dogs #DogsOfBayArea #DogsOfMastodon #Doodles #DoodlesOfMastodon #Bo