No longer sleepless in Seattle.

I'd had occasional trouble sleeping before I left for San Francisco. Then I spent a week sleeping the sleep of the just - under a duvet. The first night after I got back, I woke up before 0500. I couldn't help noticing that I hadn't put the duvet on my bed yet, mainly because I never, ever want summer to end in Seattle.

I bowed to the inevitable and put the duvet on the bed. Sleep problem solved. I love waking up a mere five minutes before my my alarm goes off: I don't get jarred awake, and I don't feel ripped off.

Bigpuppy is no more.

Ex has had Bigpuppy put down. As the now custodial dog owner, it was entirely her decision, and I think it was the right one. I saw the poor pup for the last time on the way home from the airport - I needed keys and a ride from my son - and I could see the tumors growing on her upper back. The poor beast did not have an easy time the last few weeks of her life, despite Ex's cooking and other best efforts. She'd started chemo, but it wasn't working.

She was bright and eager to please, if a little fearful. She would mash up against my legs if she wanted attention. If she wanted me to get out of bed, usually around sunrise, she would sprawl across my chest. I couldn't help but giggle madly at a seventy-pound dog emoting so dramatically right on top of me.

Oh doggy, I wish I'd gotten to see more of you. Somewhere in Dog Heaven, you & Puppigrrl will chase each other and do some mutual butt-sniffing.