Newly minted D.O.T.

Nope. Not starting our own department of transportation. "Dog of Therapy" (said in same voice as "Pigs. In. Spaaaaaaaace.") Misha just passed the exam (a long, complicated written test - I had to hold the pen) to become a certified therapy dog. Which means we get to wreak havoc amongst the old & infirm!

The way I figure, I am committed to some form of community service, I don't have time to run around at odd hours playing firefighter anymore, I hardly have the time I want with my dogs, and I am firm believer in the healing power of dogxytocin (the rush of soul-soothing hormone released in response to fondling/cuddling with a really cute dog). You add those all up and you realize that being a therapy dog escort (ok - they call them handlers, but escort sounds more intriguing) meets all my needs in one go.

Our long-suffering instructor, with the patience of a saint....

Misha demonstrates that he is impervious to airedale antics.

I was awfully proud of my ex-feral moose-herding beast - he was a flawless little guy and elicited envy and admiration from all witnesses. The whole process was a lot of fun - a weekly class with cool dogs and nice folks. It gave some structure to my training (since I'm mostly the one who needs it - Misha just needs the update now and then RE what exactly it is I'm trying to tell him), and some dedicated Q.T. with the Mouse. Sorry to see the class end, but as soon as the paperwork is done and we have our ultra-legit-looking therapy dog ID card (no, I can't take him in restaurants or in the cabin on planes with me, sadly - not the same as a service dog), we'll take the local nursing home world by storm. Look out.

Misha practices the lapdog aspect of canine therapeutics on a proud human

A little North Carolina

Reclaiming a ticket that was supposed to be to Iowa, I hustled myself down to the Outer Banks, NC to meet Sally for what felt like a well-deserved vacation. I was impressed by how intensely I miss/love the coast - being near the ocean again cured me of all ailments (at least temporarily). Sunshine (70's!), a nearly full moon, a room spitting distance from the waves, QT with Sally, some Carolina BBQ and more lovely lighthouses than any one person needs... We stayed in Nags Head and ventured as far south as we could to see the Ocracoke Island lighthouse (as well as Hatteras on the way back). I spent some time at the Nags Head Woods (Nature Conservancy hiking trails) and saw a pair of pileated woodpeckers, which made my day and almost made up for my severe lack of bug dope. Finally ended up with a few hours in Norkfolk and spent them at the Botanical Gardens, which was a great way to stretch out pre-flight (it's 5 min from the Norfolk airport).

Sally and I plot to take over the Hatteras lighthouse and thereby rule the world

The Ocracoke lighthouse - got to take a ferry over to the island and see terns, pelicans and porpoises...

Sally and I mugging on the ferry... Salt, wind and sun cheers me up any day.

Self portrait with peacock statue in Norfolk Botanical Gardens

I am currently paying for the too-short trip by facing the pile of things to do (exams to grade, lab reports, job applications...) that I walked away from on Friday, but it was well worth it.