I'm trying to not get too optimistic, because I don't want my hopes to be pummelled, but Tim just texted me the following a little bit ago:

"Talked to lawyer. He sounded optimistic. Would be happy to help get probation waived. Tell you more later."

I *think* if probation is totally waived, rather than transferred to another state, then ex's son can move right away (or as soon as the waiving is official). That is WAY more than I even dared to hope for.

We won't know anything until tomorrow morning, when ex's son is released from jail and meets with the probation officer (WITH the attorney).

I will bake him cookies for the drive to Texas, I will make him ham sandwiches and give him a cooler of Pepsi (and we're giving him the leftover almost-full big bag of dry food we had been feeding Chloe; we chose to not feed it to Kato because it's high-calorie and Kato is a BIG FAT MAN right now). I just want to see him and his dog headed (legally) out of town. Jesus God.

That does sound excellent, Teppy. I'll keep sending ~ma that it's what happens. ::wafts ~ma eastward::

All appendages crossed for the best possible outcome, Tep.

For everyone. And nice that Chloe's bequest will help out the other pooch.

And nice that Chloe's bequest will help out the other pooch.

We had checked with other friends with older dogs who we thought might be eating that brand, but they weren't, so we didn't have anyone we could give it to. We kept intending to donate it to a shelter (if they would take an open bag), but because we are procrastinators, we obviously did not.

So it turns out okay, since we can feed Guest Dog without any new financial outlay on our part (and we want to feed her well, because any pet in our care is going to be treated well; we also gave her a rope tug toy [which I'm beginning to think is the PS2 of the canine world]).

we also gave her a rope tug toy [which I'm beginning to think is the PS2 of the canine world]).

New dog Pico's favorite toy? Dryer sheets. She tosses and pounces on them and is just generally the cutest thing ever.

I so hope Tim's ex's son can soon be my state's problem.

(Tentative) good news, Teppy!

Serendipity, for sure.

Our shelter does take open bags, but if the opportunity ever arises again, it would be good to ask.

So it turns out okay, since we can feed Guest Dog without any new financial outlay on our part (and we want to feed her well, because any pet in our care is going to be treated well; we also gave her a rope tug toy [which I'm beginning to think is the PS2 of the canine world]).

All to the good! And the PS2 thing totally cracked me up.

It's like that old email that goes around every now and then...A dog's thoughts...A rope toy, MY FAVORITE THING!

Bartleby's favorite toy is a stuffed Eeyore with a huge head. In about 5 years, he's never 'killed' Eeyore...unlike most other stuffed toys, which die ignominious deaths in a matter of days.

Speaking of that, I really need to do some mending on Eeyore. He's busted a few seams.

That's the other awesome thing about dogs. I take some sadly deflated toy...say his former favorite duck...restuff it with the batting from a hedgehog whose gut rip is beyond repair...and then add the voicebox from a cow that was cute in life, but ickily groady in death. Then you guessed it, the new hybrid (cost free) toy becomes HIS FAVORITE THING!

Makes me feel like a good 'mom' while saving money and resources.

Bartleby's favorite toy is a stuffed Eeyore with a huge head. In about 5 years, he's never 'killed' Eeyore...unlike most other stuffed toys, which die ignominious deaths in a matter of days.

Kato is the only dog I've met who doesn't destroy his toys. He has a teddy bear that's over 3 years old whose squeaker still works.

Fingers crossed that everything works out smoothly, Steph.

Kato is the only dog I've met who doesn't destroy his toys. He has a teddy bear that's over 3 years old whose squeaker still works.

Call the Guinness Book of World Records. Seriously. I've never met a big dog that didn't killkillkill the squeaker.

But, you know, Bartleby uses Eeyore's squeaker strategically. This is no doubt why it has survived.

He nabs it out of the toy pile, sneaks up behind my office chair and gives it a hardy squeak. This almost always inspires me to action. Other squeakers are not as effective, so he just annihilates them. Huh. Never made that connection before. Heh.