[Deadbug]

July 16:

Dear Diary,

I will not buy any more dog stuff.
I will not buy any more dog stuff.

I tell myself this almost every single time I have to go to Petsmart for dog food. "I'm just going to go in, get a bag of food and leave. Nothing else and I'm not going to look around the store again." Truth be known, I deliberately buy the 4lb bag just so I get to go more often.

I go in and head straight for the back of the store where the food is kept. If they'd keep it in the front of the store, I might be able to maintain some semblance of self control. But no. "They" conspire against me intentionally so that I'm the one who appears to have a problem.

Issy is learning to walk on a leash. This is something that's going to take quite a bit of time to master. I'd better make at least one lap around the store just to give her a chance at some practice.

Now walking Issy is more like "dragging" Issy. She's still a baby and I believe, slightly autistic. No matter how much I work with her, she'll plant her feet and stop. Good thing the floor is slippery! We'd better make 2 laps. I always end my training sessions on a positive note.

I get a brilliant idea. I'll go buy some treats and coax her around the store that way. It's not working. Hmm... maybe it's the leash I'm using? Flexi retractable leashes might not be her thing. I'd better try a more traditional leash. And harness. Oh gosh! Yes! That's it. It's the HARNESS I'm using! I'll bet those thin little nylon straps are cutting in. (I'm going to leave out the part where I just ordered 2 buddy belts from Maximo. Doesn't matter. Issy needs a soft harness right now. So I'd better get one. Actually 2. These are a lot nicer than the nylon ones. Gabby sure could use one.

Well, that's definitely not working. I can't for the life of myself think of what could possibly be causing so much resistance here. I just asking her to walk on a leash. HA! I think she's cold. Yes! Yes! That's it! She's not used to the air conditioning being quite so high and it just rained. I'd better slip a sweater over her. Or a dress. There's 5 to choose from. Well I can't get her a new dress without getting Gabby a new dress. That just wouldn't be fair. I'd better get a bottle of pet perfume. I don't want to put these new dresses on smelly dogs.

Hmm... come to think of it, I need some toothpaste. Issy has stinky breath. I wonder if it's because I'm feeding her out of plastic bowls? I've heard those can harbor bacteria. I'd better pick up some ceramic bowls while I'm here.

I think her hair is in her eyes. That's why she's not walking. She can't see! I should get her a clip to pull it out of the way. How cute! There's these little plastic baby clips with rhinestones on them! Yes! Yes! They'll definitely work! I'd better get 2 packs. These tend to fall out and get lost.

I know, my dear diary. I know. I get to the checkout.
"What do you mean $156.12? I only came in here for dog food!"

You might call it a problem.
I call it retail therapy.

(I wonder what's for sale on YT?)