The vet clinic sent us a sympathy card, which made us cry, of course. And it made me chuckle, because *I* was thinking of sending *them* a thank you card for taking such good care of Chloe and, particularly, how unbelievably well they handled everything about putting her to sleep.

Kato is sad, no question. When he goes out to make poops, he goes to the gate like he's making sure she didn't get out. I know it'll take him some time to grieve, but I wish it was easier on him.

He doesn't normally stow stuff, but maybe he would if he had a place to do so. I mostly ignored him once I was sure that nothing was actually wrong.

Though now we don't have a special Chloe toy to remember her. Just her collar.

You do have some awesome photos. You could put one in the top of one of those photo boxes and keep her collar inside.

That's a good idea! Our plan was -- because we spent about a billion dollars with Shutterfly for Christmas gifts (seriously -- 9 or 10 calendars, which adds up), they sent an e-mail earlier this month offering a free 8 x 8 20-page photo book. So I was going to make one from our trip to the beach last summer.

But then I procrastinated, as I do, and then we had to put Chloe to sleep, so now we're going to make a Chloe book. Looks like my procrastination worked out this time.

Go team procrastination. That sounds perfect.

Kato is sad, no question. When he goes out to make poops, he goes to the gate like he's making sure she didn't get out. I know it'll take him some time to grieve, but I wish it was easier on him.

He is sad, no doubt about it. But, unlike people, he will process it fully and be past it soon. Try not to feel sorry for him, it's a natural, desired process. If you were, however, to make some playdates with other dogs or begin teaching him some new behaviors, those would be awesome distractions and ways to engage his emotional life.

He doesn't normally stow stuff, but maybe he would if he had a place to do so. I mostly ignored him once I was sure that nothing was actually wrong.

It's funny, but I thought Bartleby wasn't much interested in his toys until I changed the living room around and turned his toy drawer into a toy basket.

Now, when he wants to engage me in play, to goes over to it and roots around, looking for the one he wants. I fantasize that he's musing about which one is going to get me off my butt the fastest.

When I'm super engaged in whatever I am doing...ie: ignoring him...he'll find a squeaky toy, sneak up behind my office chair and let me have a couple of good squeaks.

Works every time.

That sounds like my daughters dog, Chewy. He likes to play tug with ropes, but he when he really wants attention he brings the squeeky toys to play with.

Score! My client needed to reschedule at the last minute.

I'm turning in.

Please cheer the antibiotics on while I sleep. Kill those bugs, kill them dead! But leave me intact, if you don't mind.

May all the ill-istas feel better soon.

May all the ill-istas feel better soon.

Indeed.

Sleep well and heal, bonny.

May all the ill-istas feel better soon.

Hallelu.

Since I got home I have: emptied and washed the compost crock, emptied and loaded the dishwasher, taken out the recycling, washed and hung a load of laundry, put more stuff from the kitchen aside for donation, put away a bunch of clean clothes, emailed some peeps in NOLA to be on the lookout for a sublet for me, made and ate dinner (with leftovers for tomorrow's lunch)... I'm pretty much out of productive. I think I'll send two more emails, take a shower, and crash. Office day tomorrow.