August 21 to 27, 2011

Monday ; I am stunned at the suddenness of Jack Layton's death from cancer. It was only a month or so ago that he was on TV announcing his temporary leave of absence from leading the NDP party in order to fight cancer. My mother-in-law and my father-in-law both succumbed as quickly to the evil of cancer. Both of them at a relatively young age, like Jack Layton. It's no wonder that Joanne was unable to believe that she could survive when she was diagnosed with cancer ... the first time. She was able to be more optimistic the second time.

It's difficult for me to express how grateful I am that she has survived. Cancer scares the hell out of me ! ! !

Rest in peace, Mr. Layton.

Friday ; Today was hot, temperature in the mid-90's. This morning we headed to Penticton to run errands. First in Penticton, then Okanagan Falls, and finally, Oliver. We wanted to end up in Oliver around lunch time. We had a picnic lunch in Oliver Community Park, then attended Bark In The Park, a BC SPCA fund raiser event in that same municipal park. There were a variety of booths operated by pet supply vendors and pet related organizations. Which was a tad boring, from a dog’s perspective. There was a demonstration of dog agility by an Osoyoos based agility club. I was interested in getting more information on that organization, with a view to perhaps joining the club. BUT ... it only took me a few moments with the club's people to realize that me and Bo, and that club, are incompatible ! Geeez, some "dog people" take themselves WAY too seriously ! It's dog agility, people ! They're dogs ! They just want to have some fun !

After Bark In The Park was the big special treat of the day ! From 4 PM to 5 PM, the final hour of the Oliver Community Pool's summer season, the pool was open to ... DOGS ! What a lot of fun we had ! Bo and I, and many other dogs and their owners romped for an hour in the large community swimming pool. Bo and I played with his special "beach doughnut", a styrofoam fishing net float he found on the beach in Teacapán, Mexico a few years ago. Bo loooooves playing "fetch" in the water with his beach doughnut. HA HA HA ... good dog, Bo, well done ! AND ... < snicker > ... we could entice Bo to slide down the kiddies’ slide into the pool by placing his beach doughnut on the bottom edge of the slide. HA HA HA ! What a silly little dog !

DSK