{{Matilda and family}} I am so sorry that she has had this summer experience, but also grateful that you have a village to pinch hit for you. Hip~ma for your mom and wishes for quick recovery.

sarameg, this zenlike transformation is a very big thing! It will serve you well in the years to come. Also, super impressive. Knowing when you need to run away is also very important.

Karl, I'm sorry. My dog is a big scary looking baby. I know she wouldn't hurt anyone, but I always ask if I should put her outside if someone comes to the house that may be spooked by her. Even being a lifetime owner of large dogs I get spooked if a big one comes charging at me!

The honeymooners have arrived in Otter Lake. DH and I are in final frantic prep mode to head that way ourselves. The list, she is long.

Oh no! Poor Matilda and family, and yay for EM! Good luck to your mom, too, JZ.

That is awesome, sara.

Oh, man, JZ that's a lot of not what anyone wants.

I'm sorry that happened to you, Karl.

Ugh, sorry JZ. I hope Matilda recovers quickly.

Everyone is a poor noodle and I hurt for all of them!

Poor everyone but especially Matilda!

My parents walk their dog off leash in Rock Creek Park (which is against the posted rules), but they didn't start doing it until she was well-trained enough to come and sit by her human whenever they pass another person on the trail. Unless you're a deer or a squirrel she won't chase or jump on you.

(She only jumps up on people who are trying to give my Mom a hug, because she has a Thing about that. We're not sure if she sees it as "This is a fun game let me play too!" or "My human is being attacked, I will defend her by putting my paws on the intruder's shoulders!")

Poor Matilda.

Boo crappy dog owners.

Guess who woke up with either food poisoning or a stomach bug? So that was a fun couple of minutes of wondering if I needed to pass out. Fortunately I didn't, and I feel mostly okay now.

Poor Matilda!

Vacation is good, but I haven't been on vacation with SiL #1 in 10 years, and I forgot that she never, EVER shuts the fuck up. She will not stop talking. Ever. Like, if someone is clearly reading a book, she sits down and launches into a monologue anyway. About NOTHING. I wanted to stab her by halfway through Day 2. So I keep hiding out in our bedroom just to get some peace and quiet, which makes me feel antisocial, but I really don't want to stab her when it's only Wednesday.

Very wise, it's always best to stab people on a Friday.

I mean, stabbing Friday is good, but on the other hand if you stab her now, more vacation without talking!

No, no, no. If people stop observing the stabbing on Fridays norm, I'll have to start wearing chainmail under my shirt every day and it chafes.