I grew up with dogs; I give him training and toys and baths and walks and scratches, and is much better behaved now. Don't get me wrong; he's got a good life. He's a cute dog, but neither of us want a dog. Cats are our speed.

I would be ALL OVER an open doggy adoption; I may have to look into that. And you guys are right; I need to have Dan tell her that le doggy needs to get fixed ASAP. She's not going to take him, therefore she's not going to breed him. He has no need for balls, and he would probably be a calmer pup sans testes. She keeps putting it off and off, so...sorry chica, you had your chance!

Just sayin' he's a happy doggy and not mistreated in any way; I just wish -- for his sake, and yes, mine -- that he could belong to a home that actively wants him. I'm kind, but not invested.

An open doggy adoption is probably do-able since you could really take your time and find the right family.

Dude, Erin, I'm a dog person and even I would be drawing some serious lines in the sand at the emotional blackmail. Poor pup being used that way by her is just wrong and so not what a real dog person would do.

I'm totally in your corner, wanting to do right by the doggy yet not wanting him as your responsibility because it's not what you chose.

And I'm with beth-- if she's telling you to change the tags, that it's ridiculous that they haven't been changed yet, then she's abdicating responsibility, because when they ask you for the owner's names, it'll have to be you guys. They'll never register the dog to an absentia owner. At least, I can't imagine they would.

Ugh, sounds stressful.

sj, based on your asking what nail polish I wore to the last F2F, I am wearing Nfu Oh 125 again. It's one of my Top 5 colors ever. Thanks for making me obsess over it for the last couple of days because now my nails are re-prettified.

And What Barb Said.

It's clearly not her dog any longer. No matter what this says about the ex, he's your dog and you should get him fixed and stop letting her use the dog to wrench Dan around by the balls. I dislike the ex a lot about this.

So, worst comes to worst you can be all hardcore and have play time = crate time and show no love otherwise. It's painful to do, but its only for a few days. And having her crate trained IS SO WORTH IT.

Hmmm. t looks thoughtfully in Ryan's direction

You are not supposed to crate train a BABY!

This might be why I prefer pets.

I dislike the ex a lot about this.

Oh...um...er. Geez, I'm just gonna have to roll my eyes and say "Iceberg! Tip!" This is a fairly innocuous incident, but let's focus on the future, and not the past. I'm a lot more proactive and comfortable with saying "Fuck, no!" than Dan, and it's helping, I think, with his standing up to her. She's a steamroller, and I?

I, my friends, am the car crusher.

In a nice way!

But D's strengths play to my weaknesses, so we mesh. We mesh.

Oh, and has anyone seen that Smashbox has a new primer out? I have to try it! I am addicted to the regular Photofinish, my mom (who is ruddy) swears by the green tinted PF and my sis, who is oily, by the oil-free. The new one is meant to be used on problems areas and help with fine lines even more; I'ma dot it on my eyes the next time I cruise past a Sephora!

Was is Beverly or Tep who was talking up Eyebright the other day? I'm thinking about getting it, or getting the Realness of Concealness kit from Benefit for my mom for Mother's Day (don't laugh -- it's not a backhanded gift; all the women in my family are makeup whores.) The RoC has Lemon-aid, Eyebright, boing boing concealer, lip plump and high beam minis -- I thought it would be a fun way for my mom to test them out and she what she liked.

OH -- by the way, let me TOTALLY PIMP Smashbox's Eyelights shadow pallette in Beam -- I got it for my wedding, and it has the most perfect light yellow-white shimmer shadow, which neutralizes dark shadows and lifts the eyes, the best glimmery light gold-taupe that wakes you up and makes green/blue/hazel eyes pop, and a glinty cocoa for lining/crease for winter/going out looks. It's truly a perfect neutral collection that I am using the hell out of for day and night both. Worth every damn cent. Can't remember who was looking for non-makeup-y makeup, but this is magic.

Also? Sephora makes Clinque's black honey in a not-sticky gloss that is moisturizing. That, mascara, a swipe of the yellow and the gold shadow and mascara are a 1 minute perfect face.

My biggest ish's are Do Not Fuck With The Kids and also critters. So this totally sticks in my craw and makes me snarl. Admittedly, it comes on top of previous things you've mentioned. But she's also messing with her kid and the dog (and you guys, big time) simultaneously.

I figure that Dan is sadly an adult that has to deal with his ex but the kid is too young to be in control and the dog doesn't have opposable thumbs.

I am really glad that your strengths and weaknesses mesh. It's a wonderful thing.

Plus? Your wedding pictures were so gorgeous. I said it before but congratulations. I am really happy for you both.

the best glimmery light gold-taupe that wakes you up and makes green/blue/hazel eyes pop

Ooh, I wasn't looking but I like the sound of this. Must check it out.

You are not supposed to crate train a BABY!

But how can we be sure if we don't try?!

Actually, he got a baby tent for his birthday party. We tried putting him in it and he burst into tears. We seem to have a free-range baby here.