Good dog fences make good neighbors.

It has been raining on and off all day. I was bad and skipped going to the gym today. I'll go tomorrow. There were things I needed to do this morning that just took priority and Monkey had a lunch play date. We call them play dates, but they are really just a good excuse to get together and chat for the moms. Monkey ran herself ragged around the mall play space and is now quietly mutilating her play dough.

I had to send our neighbor a letter this morning. It was not pleasant. When we moved in a year ago so did his German Shepherd. I tried to be pleasant about it for a long time. I would call every now and then and ask if he could keep his dog at home. The man is never home so I basically talked to his answering machine and sometimes got a response from him. The dog is good natured, so it wasn't too much of a problem. I should say it was a problem, but one that animal lovers who love big goofy dogs could overlook. However, last week Ace the German Shepherd got in a brief, but nasty fight with Biscuit the Wonder Dog. Biscuit ended up at the vet and received 6 stitches in her little shoulder. I ended up with $179 gone from my checking account.

Big Daddy called our neighbor, who expressed great concern and promised to stop by to discuss the situation. B.D. was under the impression that neighbor man was willing to pay for the vet visit. One week later and we haven't heard a word from neighbor man. I woke up this morning with one thought in my head. I would resolve this situation. Ugh.

So I wrote a brief and (in my opinion and in those whom I forced to read it) diplomatic letter to neighbor man. I expressed my frustration. I included a copy of the vet bill and I told him to do what he felt was right. The ball is in his court. It is a good thing that when I say "neighbor" I mean that he lives a quarter of a mile through the woods and I don't see him on a regular basis. Grrr.

On the upside of the situation - we haven't seen Ace since last Wednesday.

The very down side of the vet visit was that Biscuit's annual heartworm test came back positive. She goes to the vet on Monday to start treatment. I've heard the treatment is not pleasant. The drug compound used contains arsenic. Biscuit will then be on complete crate- enforced bed rest for three to four weeks. Poor B. There can be very bad complications with this treatment, so I am anxious.