And it smells REALLY good. It needs to be done now.

I wigged and took Cagney to the hospital for a check up.

When we were walking this afternoon, he started to make this wheezy-coughing sound. My heart just sank...Please God, no illness! My next, less selfish thought was, "Holy cow, if he is not over the kennel cough, I could be infecting the whole neighborhood!

So, I called the place that took care of Bartleby in the end. They aren't a regular vet and don't do wellness checkups, but the Admin, who was so good to us went and asked the emergency room docs if they'd look at Cagney. They agreed.

When we got there, the Admin introduced me to the attending doc with "She lost her little guy recently, and it was BRUtal." I can't even express how validating and comforting that was.

Sadly, they had us wait in the same room where Bartleby died. Not my best memory. I spent a lot of time thinking about how much cleaner the room was today.

Anyway, the doc gave Cagney the once over and deemed him healthy. The cough is probably a Bulldog/exertion sort of thing...but his lungs are clear, his heart is murmur free, various other points of entry are clear and he does not have a characteristically 'long soft palate...which some Bulldogs have.

So. It wasn't exactly like taking a used car to the mechanic before you buy it, but that little exam did my heart a world of good.

And, have I mentioned what a playah this little dude is? He's have THREE rockin-rollin playdates today. Much mirth was spread and he's not even tired. One of us is going to have to get into better shape.

I think you both may have found your forever home. And I love the name "Cagney" both for Jimmy and Christine.

I've spent most of this morning resarching ways to assist Trayvon Martin's family and making phone calls to Florida and D.C.

That definitely counts. Did you find anything the average person could do?

bonny, I'm glad the new boy is healthy and happy and settling in!

Got sidelined from accomplishing things by a phone call from my BFF. She's having a difficult time with her mom's illness and needed to vent. And now I go make dinner. Chicken quesadillas without the tortilla, i.e., bowl of chicken and melted cheese. And salsa.

sj and Kate, there is a page with really good info: [link]

I called the attorney's office to find out where to send money for the boy's family's legal costs. The phone just rang and rang.

The Change.org petition there is actually a good one - every time the petition is signed, it sends a series of emails.

I emailed the DoJ and it bounced back saying the mailbox is full.

There is a March in Florida on March 26 and I am seriously considering flying down there. I've seen all kinds of atrocities in my life but this was a kid doing absolutely NOTHING wrong, walking home from 7-11 with a pack of Skittles for his lil brother and a can of iced tea. I am in anguish.

sj and Kate, there is a page with really good info: [link]

Thank you. What an awful situation.

I went to skating class, shopped for doggie stuff at PETCO, and spent the day keeping the pups out of the way of J, who has two freelance projects to try and finish before he leaves tomorrow for a week on the road. Poor guy--he just got back from NYC yesterday. Between motorcycle writing trips and car launch events, he's going to be traveling about one week a month for the next few months.

I just started up my iPad! Super exciting. I have a list of apps I want to download, too--there's a list on the new job's website of things people who do my job like. A few I have already, and a few I don't want...and some I'll wait to see if I need, because they are pricey. But several I didn't know about and will totally use!

If you can get past the bad spelling, this is hilarious. Fun at Home Depot