Matthew J. Olson's Blog
August 24, 2017
ah, nuts
The other day, I was laying on the couch while playing a game on my phone. Milo had gotten up on the back of the couch and was walking around up there. I paid him no attention since he does this all the time. And then it happened. Something caught his attention, he jumped, and two nuts were crushed.
I was not happy. Zailey was excited by the commotion and came over to console me by licking my arm. Milo was distracted from whatever had drawn his attention in the first place to come see why I was upset. I pushed him down a couple of times as I tried to console the boys. It took a while for them to quit throbbing and it took just as long for me to settle my temper.
There are other ways that I get my balls busted. I've suffered some verbal abuse from people that are a little over critical of my work (and some people who are just trying to take other people down a peg). I just have to do the same thing as a physical blow; wait out the pain and seek comfort from my companions. The pain goes away sooner or later.
One tool that I've found very effective is to write a response to whoever has busted my balls. When I am finished, instead of sending the response, I just delete it. I get the same satisfaction of writing the response without any of the repercussions (like another scathing note from the ball buster).
Milo or some faceless worm on the internet can crack nuts. I feel like I am pretty good at fighting through the pain and continuing on. How do you deal with ball busters?
I was not happy. Zailey was excited by the commotion and came over to console me by licking my arm. Milo was distracted from whatever had drawn his attention in the first place to come see why I was upset. I pushed him down a couple of times as I tried to console the boys. It took a while for them to quit throbbing and it took just as long for me to settle my temper.
There are other ways that I get my balls busted. I've suffered some verbal abuse from people that are a little over critical of my work (and some people who are just trying to take other people down a peg). I just have to do the same thing as a physical blow; wait out the pain and seek comfort from my companions. The pain goes away sooner or later.
One tool that I've found very effective is to write a response to whoever has busted my balls. When I am finished, instead of sending the response, I just delete it. I get the same satisfaction of writing the response without any of the repercussions (like another scathing note from the ball buster).
Milo or some faceless worm on the internet can crack nuts. I feel like I am pretty good at fighting through the pain and continuing on. How do you deal with ball busters?
July 31, 2017
accident
On my way home the other day, I could see several dogs in the distance. For some reason, they came up onto the highway. I began slowing at seeing this as I didn't want to see any harm come to the dogs. When I came abreast, two of the dogs retreated to the ditch and the third just stayed out of my way. They were all Blue Heelers and looked very similar to Zailey (Zailey is skinnier and thinner in the face than these dogs). Needless to say, I found these dogs cute and my heart went out to them.
Once passed the dogs, I began gaining speed again. I was passed the danger so I resumed my journey home. I then saw that an SUV was approaching. I thought about signaling somehow that they were about to come upon some hazard. Flashing my lights and honking my horn came to mind. The dogs were quite obvious, so I decided not to signal as it would just distract the driver. I watched in my mirror after the SUV passed me.
Time slowed to a crawl. The two dogs that were in the ditch remained there. The dog that was in the highway was also frozen in place. And I couldn't look away. The SUV didn't even slow down or swerve as it drove over the dog in the highway. I couldn't believe the SUV didn't see the dog. The dog was sucked under and rolled across the highway as the SUV passed over it. As the dog cleared the rear bumper, it was flipped into the air and slammed into the pavement.
As time returned to normal, I was devastated by what I had witnessed. I kept my eyes front so that I could return my focus to my driving. Though, a part of me wondered the rest of the way what I could have done differently. Several times I thought about turning around and giving aid to the dog, but I didn't have the strength to face the accident scene. I went home and held my dogs tighter than usual and did my best to forget about the accident. I can't seem to forget, though.
Accidents happen all the time. Some are life altering or at least give people profound thought. Most are just senseless and we try to assign meaning to it to give ourselves comfort. I had two thoughts. One is that life is short. The other is that one must do everything they can in the short time that they are here to make their mark on the world. Some people have kids to carry on a legacy. My legacy is my writing (unless by some miracle I have kids one of these days, then I have even more legacy). Comment below your thoughts or share what marks you've made on the world.
Once passed the dogs, I began gaining speed again. I was passed the danger so I resumed my journey home. I then saw that an SUV was approaching. I thought about signaling somehow that they were about to come upon some hazard. Flashing my lights and honking my horn came to mind. The dogs were quite obvious, so I decided not to signal as it would just distract the driver. I watched in my mirror after the SUV passed me.
Time slowed to a crawl. The two dogs that were in the ditch remained there. The dog that was in the highway was also frozen in place. And I couldn't look away. The SUV didn't even slow down or swerve as it drove over the dog in the highway. I couldn't believe the SUV didn't see the dog. The dog was sucked under and rolled across the highway as the SUV passed over it. As the dog cleared the rear bumper, it was flipped into the air and slammed into the pavement.
As time returned to normal, I was devastated by what I had witnessed. I kept my eyes front so that I could return my focus to my driving. Though, a part of me wondered the rest of the way what I could have done differently. Several times I thought about turning around and giving aid to the dog, but I didn't have the strength to face the accident scene. I went home and held my dogs tighter than usual and did my best to forget about the accident. I can't seem to forget, though.
Accidents happen all the time. Some are life altering or at least give people profound thought. Most are just senseless and we try to assign meaning to it to give ourselves comfort. I had two thoughts. One is that life is short. The other is that one must do everything they can in the short time that they are here to make their mark on the world. Some people have kids to carry on a legacy. My legacy is my writing (unless by some miracle I have kids one of these days, then I have even more legacy). Comment below your thoughts or share what marks you've made on the world.
July 7, 2017
hot dog
I spent most of yesterday roofing the doghouse, again. This time, I did it in tin, so it should be the last time. Previously, I had done it with wood shingles, which does not hold in the Kansas wind (even with roofing nails and glue). The dogs wondered what I was doing, so I couldn't leave them in the house even though it was hotter than hell.
To beat the heat, the two dogs would sit on the side of the doghouse that was in shadow. This meant they were under my feet as I worked. Other than a couple of close calls with dogs tripping over the cord of my drill and almost knocking it down, they were well behaved. At one point, Milo had put his feet in the water bowl to help him cool off. It was at that point that I forced the dogs inside to cool off while I continued to brave the heat (a couple of icees helped with that).
In the evening, I brought the dogs out again as they were going stir crazy. Zailey ran around while Milo hung out in the kiddie pool. I looked over at one point to find him sitting on his hip in the water. In this way, he was submerged up to his chest.
Lately, I've been traveling and doing a lot of fun things (like roofing a doghouse). Things like blogging, sending my newsletter, and writing have taken a back seat. Maybe things will calm down soon, but I doubt it (more plans for the weeks to come).
I'm hoping that my schedule cools down soon like Milo getting in the water. It is just a little hot right now. Hell, I was in Phoenix when it hit 120!
To beat the heat, the two dogs would sit on the side of the doghouse that was in shadow. This meant they were under my feet as I worked. Other than a couple of close calls with dogs tripping over the cord of my drill and almost knocking it down, they were well behaved. At one point, Milo had put his feet in the water bowl to help him cool off. It was at that point that I forced the dogs inside to cool off while I continued to brave the heat (a couple of icees helped with that).
In the evening, I brought the dogs out again as they were going stir crazy. Zailey ran around while Milo hung out in the kiddie pool. I looked over at one point to find him sitting on his hip in the water. In this way, he was submerged up to his chest.
Lately, I've been traveling and doing a lot of fun things (like roofing a doghouse). Things like blogging, sending my newsletter, and writing have taken a back seat. Maybe things will calm down soon, but I doubt it (more plans for the weeks to come).
I'm hoping that my schedule cools down soon like Milo getting in the water. It is just a little hot right now. Hell, I was in Phoenix when it hit 120!
June 11, 2017
trash
Last night I made some chicken wings. After the meal, I discarded my bones in our covered trash bin and I didn't give it a second thought. Then I let the dogs in and discovered that Zailey has figured out how to pry the lid open on the trashcan. She found something and ran for cover to enjoy her extra treat.
My wife hollered at me for not closing the lid since the lid was now propped open with a paper plate that had been moved by someone's snout. I weakly defended myself, but there wasn't much I could defend on leaving chicken bones where a good thief could get them. I just smashed the trash down the best I could and made sure that the bones were well covered this time. Zailey didn't get into the trash the rest of the night.
Last weekend, my wife and I traveled to St. Louis. We had grand plans to visit some attractions. Instead, my wife was ill and we ended up staying pretty close to the hotel the whole weekend. Not that it was all bad since we had a view of the arch from our hotel, but we did have to trash several of our ideas for the weekend.
I made the best of things, though. While my wife slept, I worked on one of my novels. It was probably the longest single stretch that I've worked on something in 2017. I wrote a chapter and rewrote another. It was a great way to make the best out of the situation.
Treasure can be found in trash. Both Zailey and I have proved that this week. Comment what treasure you have found in the trash.
My wife hollered at me for not closing the lid since the lid was now propped open with a paper plate that had been moved by someone's snout. I weakly defended myself, but there wasn't much I could defend on leaving chicken bones where a good thief could get them. I just smashed the trash down the best I could and made sure that the bones were well covered this time. Zailey didn't get into the trash the rest of the night.
Last weekend, my wife and I traveled to St. Louis. We had grand plans to visit some attractions. Instead, my wife was ill and we ended up staying pretty close to the hotel the whole weekend. Not that it was all bad since we had a view of the arch from our hotel, but we did have to trash several of our ideas for the weekend.
I made the best of things, though. While my wife slept, I worked on one of my novels. It was probably the longest single stretch that I've worked on something in 2017. I wrote a chapter and rewrote another. It was a great way to make the best out of the situation.
Treasure can be found in trash. Both Zailey and I have proved that this week. Comment what treasure you have found in the trash.
May 26, 2017
birthday
Zailey turned two yesterday. Besides getting a special treat and a special dinner, she got a new toy. Or at least, she gets a new toy whenever Milo lets her play with it. Milo stole the damn thing from the very beginning. Which meant that it was promptly destroyed. Multiple attempts to take away the toy and give it to Zailey were met with disaster. Milo would get snappy to the point where Zailey wouldn't go near the toy. Instead, she barked and yipped to the point that my ears hurt.
The toy is plush with two large squeakers. Milo got one squeaker out and the other one was punctured to the point that it barely works. To get the one squeaker out, Milo had to rip a sizable hole in the side. I swear, these dogs can't have anything nice. I hope my wife didn't pay much for it.
This last month saw Alien Fear turn a year old. Sometime this year, it will have a sequel, so the story is still with me. It'll always be my baby as it was the main driving force to get me to write seriously. Even though it is my third publication, it was the first thing that I completed. It is also the first novel that I published.
I'm trying to remember when Alien Fear was conceived. It was either late 2007 or early 2008. Either way, a lot has changed in the last decade. More will change in the coming year. It is most certainly an exciting time.
Speaking of excitement, Zailey is entering her terrible twos. I can't say that I'm looking forward to that. Oh well, it'll make good blog fodder at the very least. Happy birthdays, baby girl and baby novel!
The toy is plush with two large squeakers. Milo got one squeaker out and the other one was punctured to the point that it barely works. To get the one squeaker out, Milo had to rip a sizable hole in the side. I swear, these dogs can't have anything nice. I hope my wife didn't pay much for it.
This last month saw Alien Fear turn a year old. Sometime this year, it will have a sequel, so the story is still with me. It'll always be my baby as it was the main driving force to get me to write seriously. Even though it is my third publication, it was the first thing that I completed. It is also the first novel that I published.
I'm trying to remember when Alien Fear was conceived. It was either late 2007 or early 2008. Either way, a lot has changed in the last decade. More will change in the coming year. It is most certainly an exciting time.
Speaking of excitement, Zailey is entering her terrible twos. I can't say that I'm looking forward to that. Oh well, it'll make good blog fodder at the very least. Happy birthdays, baby girl and baby novel!
May 19, 2017
time
Yesterday was May 1st. *looks at computer's time display* Today is May 19th. Yikes! Where did the time go?
Jynx knows what time it is right when I walk in the door; it is supper time! He runs to greet me at the door and then leads me into the kitchen before I have a chance to pet him. He then gets on his counter and waits for me to feed him. If I don't feed him right away, he starts bawling like a little cow. Maybe he is transspecies.
Ever since his trips to the vet a few months ago, he has been on a partial wet food diet. He loves this stuff and can't wait until his next can. In fact, any trip to the kitchen now brings him over to see if it is time for a can of his food. His memory is short, so he can be forgiven for trying to con me out of more.
My memory is also short. I keep forgetting that I need to be working on this task or the other. I also forgot that I had a short story all ready to go in case I didn't have time to write and needed to have something for a writing group. It worked out anyway, because I'm going to end up not having anything new for two meetings in a row. Having this story to critique helped me feel like things were still progressing.
Now I have a new dilemma. By digging out this story, I have the itch to write another short story. It has been ten months since I completed one. When will I find time to work on one again?
Time is a master of us all and it is slipping away. Jynx wants it to slip away faster so that he can get his special food. I could go for a day where time stood still so that I could get what I want done. What would you do if you had a day where time stood still?
Jynx knows what time it is right when I walk in the door; it is supper time! He runs to greet me at the door and then leads me into the kitchen before I have a chance to pet him. He then gets on his counter and waits for me to feed him. If I don't feed him right away, he starts bawling like a little cow. Maybe he is transspecies.
Ever since his trips to the vet a few months ago, he has been on a partial wet food diet. He loves this stuff and can't wait until his next can. In fact, any trip to the kitchen now brings him over to see if it is time for a can of his food. His memory is short, so he can be forgiven for trying to con me out of more.
My memory is also short. I keep forgetting that I need to be working on this task or the other. I also forgot that I had a short story all ready to go in case I didn't have time to write and needed to have something for a writing group. It worked out anyway, because I'm going to end up not having anything new for two meetings in a row. Having this story to critique helped me feel like things were still progressing.
Now I have a new dilemma. By digging out this story, I have the itch to write another short story. It has been ten months since I completed one. When will I find time to work on one again?
Time is a master of us all and it is slipping away. Jynx wants it to slip away faster so that he can get his special food. I could go for a day where time stood still so that I could get what I want done. What would you do if you had a day where time stood still?
May 5, 2017
how to become famous
Zailey is a beautiful girl. She has a narrow face, unlike most Blue Heelers. Her mostly blue coat has splashes of white and brown. She also has four brown socks. Milo is also a handsome boy. He looks a lot like the Jack Russel Terrier on The Mask with his brown face. There is even a small split at the back of his head were the mask would come off if he had one. Both dogs are small for their respected breeds. The dogs are in my photo on my website. Is it a wonder why they are famous?
Besides being mentioned in my blog quite often, they each have a Facebook page. They are also very popular when we go on walks. A few weeks ago, I took them around the block and a girl ran me down. She wanted to pet the dogs. Milo was too excited because of the walk to pay this stranger any attention. Zailey, on the other hand, loved meeting this girl.
Tonight, I had just finished a few chores when my doorbell rang. I answered the door to find this same girl with a few of her friends. They wanted to know if they could pet Zailey and Milo. The two stars were wanted. The only problem was that I was covered in dish water and my house was still in the middle of being cleaned. Not that I really wanted to have some kids that I barely knew in my house. But I also really didn't want to go out in my disarray. I decided to deny the children's request.
So, the moral of this story is that one way to fame is to be adorable. There are other ways, but I haven't found them, yet.
My book that is the most popular has a half naked model in nothing but jean shorts on the cover. The title, Shorts: A Collection of Stories, is a pun in conjunction with that cover. And since sex sells, it isn't a mystery why it is my best seller.
In thinking about what to blog about, I knew I wanted to talk about tonight's occurrence, but then I thought up how to spin it so that it would grab people's attention. It is my hope that my friends, family, and acquaintances will be intrigued by my blog title. Search engines may even drive people to this blog. It may just put me on the map. If it works out, then I've found another way to become famous.
For now, I'll continue doing the best I can with the abilities that I have. Zailey and Milo will also continue to be cute and that will get them some attention. Fame hasn't spoiled them, yet. (Though, in looking at my grocery and vet bill, it would seem that I spoil them a ton!)
Besides being mentioned in my blog quite often, they each have a Facebook page. They are also very popular when we go on walks. A few weeks ago, I took them around the block and a girl ran me down. She wanted to pet the dogs. Milo was too excited because of the walk to pay this stranger any attention. Zailey, on the other hand, loved meeting this girl.
Tonight, I had just finished a few chores when my doorbell rang. I answered the door to find this same girl with a few of her friends. They wanted to know if they could pet Zailey and Milo. The two stars were wanted. The only problem was that I was covered in dish water and my house was still in the middle of being cleaned. Not that I really wanted to have some kids that I barely knew in my house. But I also really didn't want to go out in my disarray. I decided to deny the children's request.
So, the moral of this story is that one way to fame is to be adorable. There are other ways, but I haven't found them, yet.
My book that is the most popular has a half naked model in nothing but jean shorts on the cover. The title, Shorts: A Collection of Stories, is a pun in conjunction with that cover. And since sex sells, it isn't a mystery why it is my best seller.
In thinking about what to blog about, I knew I wanted to talk about tonight's occurrence, but then I thought up how to spin it so that it would grab people's attention. It is my hope that my friends, family, and acquaintances will be intrigued by my blog title. Search engines may even drive people to this blog. It may just put me on the map. If it works out, then I've found another way to become famous.
For now, I'll continue doing the best I can with the abilities that I have. Zailey and Milo will also continue to be cute and that will get them some attention. Fame hasn't spoiled them, yet. (Though, in looking at my grocery and vet bill, it would seem that I spoil them a ton!)
April 21, 2017
oh, how original!
Here is what I was told. While Zailey was being boarded this last weekend, she was being aggressive toward the other dogs. She was snipping at their cages every time she was taken out of her kennel to be walked. Apparently, one of the times, the caretaker stuck her leg in between Zailey and the cage she was biting at. Skin was punctured and the handler refused to work with Zailey any further. Another person was brave enough to let Zailey out from time to time.
This story doesn't sit well with me for several reasons. At first, I took the vet at her word and I was pissed at Zailey for biting a person. Then I started to think about it some more. What was an experienced dog handler doing putting her foot in front of Zailey when there is a good cage between her and the other animal? Also, her being aggressive is questionable. Usually, when she meets another dog, she lays down and lets the other animal sniff her and such. So, why would she be different here? She does bark her head off at dogs that pass by the fence, but she doesn't do anything more aggressive than that. She also nips at my heal (like most healers) or toes, but never bites me
At the end of this, the vet did say that Zailey was still allowed to stay there telling me that not everything that happened was Zailey's fault. I'll try to work with her some more and try my best to get in the good graces of the vet clinic where we normally board her. We will be taking two trips in June that the dogs will be boarded up, so I've got some time to find out what is really going on with her.
In an effort to make a little more money and help promote services that help me, I signed up to advertise Amazon products on my website. Mainly, I switched my links on my books to utilize this program. That way I'm making money doing what I am already doing. At least that was the goal.
I got an email saying that my first attempt to join the service was denied and I had no avenue for appeal. The reason for the denial was that much of my site's content was deemed unoriginal. Now if that isn't a slap in the face, I don't know what is.
I got to thinking about this from their point of view. I've got a page that pulls in recent posts from this blog. So that isn't original content to my site. Ditto for the page that pulls in my newsletter archive from my email house. Also, the page with my twitter feed isn't original to the site. Yes, it is all content that I've worked at putting out there and original to me, just not original to the site. So Amazon's bot probably saw all of this and threw me out of the program. I say a bot because a human being would have actually let me in once they realized what I was doing - my website is where you can see all my scattered web mess in once spot.
I'd like to sic Zailey on the leg of the Amazon bot that kicked me out of the associates program. Like Zailey, I'll also work on my website. Hopefully I won't get my next application rejected just like Zailey isn't going to get kicked out of being boarded at the vet clinic. Comment below ideas for original content on my website (olson777.com).
This story doesn't sit well with me for several reasons. At first, I took the vet at her word and I was pissed at Zailey for biting a person. Then I started to think about it some more. What was an experienced dog handler doing putting her foot in front of Zailey when there is a good cage between her and the other animal? Also, her being aggressive is questionable. Usually, when she meets another dog, she lays down and lets the other animal sniff her and such. So, why would she be different here? She does bark her head off at dogs that pass by the fence, but she doesn't do anything more aggressive than that. She also nips at my heal (like most healers) or toes, but never bites me
At the end of this, the vet did say that Zailey was still allowed to stay there telling me that not everything that happened was Zailey's fault. I'll try to work with her some more and try my best to get in the good graces of the vet clinic where we normally board her. We will be taking two trips in June that the dogs will be boarded up, so I've got some time to find out what is really going on with her.
In an effort to make a little more money and help promote services that help me, I signed up to advertise Amazon products on my website. Mainly, I switched my links on my books to utilize this program. That way I'm making money doing what I am already doing. At least that was the goal.
I got an email saying that my first attempt to join the service was denied and I had no avenue for appeal. The reason for the denial was that much of my site's content was deemed unoriginal. Now if that isn't a slap in the face, I don't know what is.
I got to thinking about this from their point of view. I've got a page that pulls in recent posts from this blog. So that isn't original content to my site. Ditto for the page that pulls in my newsletter archive from my email house. Also, the page with my twitter feed isn't original to the site. Yes, it is all content that I've worked at putting out there and original to me, just not original to the site. So Amazon's bot probably saw all of this and threw me out of the program. I say a bot because a human being would have actually let me in once they realized what I was doing - my website is where you can see all my scattered web mess in once spot.
I'd like to sic Zailey on the leg of the Amazon bot that kicked me out of the associates program. Like Zailey, I'll also work on my website. Hopefully I won't get my next application rejected just like Zailey isn't going to get kicked out of being boarded at the vet clinic. Comment below ideas for original content on my website (olson777.com).
March 30, 2017
dull claws
A few weeks ago, I went to trim Jynx's claws and found that they weren't all that sharp. I ended up doing just a few claws and left the rest for the next time. I'm on a two week cycle to trim his toes, but I couldn't get to them right when the two weeks came up. When I did get around to trimming his claws, there wasn't a single one that was sharp.
Jynx has been on an anxiety medication. Apparently, it is working so well that he doesn't feel the need to go over to his scratching post or his cat tree and claw it. That is the only explanation I can give for the lack of sharpness.
Tonight, my wife and I were discussing Jynx's mood change since being on the drug. She really misses his psycho episodes. I feel like the dogs and cats are getting along better than they ever have, but I do miss Jynx swatting my wife with little to no provocation. He just isn't quite the same cat, now. Is he better?
I have the habit of trimming my nails by tearing them as soon as they are long enough to be torn. I think I do it because I am nervous. It is just an automatic thing that I do and I have no control over it.
It bothers my wife to no end if I am picking at a nail and can't get it to tear. The picking sound gets her fired up. It's not like I am purposefully trying to get on her nerves. It is just an accident that it happens that way. Sorry, hon.
So I have no claws to speak of, but it doesn't mean I am not able to claw my way out of bad situations. Two of my writing groups this week have commented on a lack of conflict with where my two stories are. Well, it isn't really lacking, but it isn't as punchy as I could make it. Both groups have advised me to add things earlier to the stories to help give the current chapter the edge it needs. The claws need sharpened, in these cases. I can do that. I WILL unleash the psycho.
Maybe Jynx needs to also let his psycho out as well. What do you all think? Should Jynx remain medicated?
Jynx has been on an anxiety medication. Apparently, it is working so well that he doesn't feel the need to go over to his scratching post or his cat tree and claw it. That is the only explanation I can give for the lack of sharpness.
Tonight, my wife and I were discussing Jynx's mood change since being on the drug. She really misses his psycho episodes. I feel like the dogs and cats are getting along better than they ever have, but I do miss Jynx swatting my wife with little to no provocation. He just isn't quite the same cat, now. Is he better?
I have the habit of trimming my nails by tearing them as soon as they are long enough to be torn. I think I do it because I am nervous. It is just an automatic thing that I do and I have no control over it.
It bothers my wife to no end if I am picking at a nail and can't get it to tear. The picking sound gets her fired up. It's not like I am purposefully trying to get on her nerves. It is just an accident that it happens that way. Sorry, hon.
So I have no claws to speak of, but it doesn't mean I am not able to claw my way out of bad situations. Two of my writing groups this week have commented on a lack of conflict with where my two stories are. Well, it isn't really lacking, but it isn't as punchy as I could make it. Both groups have advised me to add things earlier to the stories to help give the current chapter the edge it needs. The claws need sharpened, in these cases. I can do that. I WILL unleash the psycho.
Maybe Jynx needs to also let his psycho out as well. What do you all think? Should Jynx remain medicated?
March 11, 2017
environment
According to the vet, Jynx's health issues are due to his environment. He just isn't getting what he wants and he is letting us know with his behavior. There have been a few changes around the house to accommodate the little brat!
One of the things I am doing is giving him fresh water every morning. Instead of wasting the water, I am dumping it into the dog's outside water dish and filling it full again for Jynx. I think he is now drinking more water.
Another thing that we are starting to do is to feed him one can of cat food at night mixed with probiotic. We are also cutting him down to about 1/3 of a cup of his dry food a day. The vet thinks that fat cat is overweight (duh!), so we are giving him a total of 1/3 of a cup less a day of food. Though he still will have full access to his drug of choice, grass. We'll see how he fairs being on a diet.
The next change is with Jynx's litter. I will be scooping it daily in addition to changing it weekly. I've also switched to an unscented litter to see if that is also why is unwilling to use the box.
Finally, we are going to make absolute certain that the cat is not eating dog food. Zailey hasn't been eating her entire breakfast lately, so I've been just leaving it in her crate for her to eat with her supper. I've also been leaving the crate open and who knows if the cat gets in there or not.
Hopefully, all of this leads to a healthier Jynx. I know that I also need help in that department.
I am enjoying life at the moment. One of the things I enjoy is food. Different culinary experiences are celebrated by overeating. I'm also not active enough and end up stress eating a lot at work as well. All of this has put my health at risk.
I can't simply turn off my mind from food. I've also got to find better ways to deal with stress than by eating. One thing I am going to do is head to the golf course a little more often this year. The exercise is great and provides stress relief as well. It is how I commune with nature.
A part of me feels that as long as I'm living and enjoying it, then it can't be that bad for me. In other words, it is my justification for eating myself to death, Then there is the part of me that is scared to die. Besides, I'm really afraid of not getting out to the world some of the stuff that I am currently writing because that is how I am going to live forever. So, I can't die until I've accomplished everything I wanted to in the literary world.
So, my environment change is going to be to start doing Blue Apron. Besides cutting back on my trips to the grocery store (I hate shopping), their meals are portioned and healthier than what I normally eat. My wife was the one that signed us up for this, so I owe her thanks. Many of the meals are either something that we've never tried before or prepared in a way we've never thought of. So that speaks to my enjoyment of the meal. We even made lunch together today and I enjoyed that.
Like Jynx, I hope that my environment changes make me healthier. It'll be great for both of us to lose a little weight.
One of the things I am doing is giving him fresh water every morning. Instead of wasting the water, I am dumping it into the dog's outside water dish and filling it full again for Jynx. I think he is now drinking more water.
Another thing that we are starting to do is to feed him one can of cat food at night mixed with probiotic. We are also cutting him down to about 1/3 of a cup of his dry food a day. The vet thinks that fat cat is overweight (duh!), so we are giving him a total of 1/3 of a cup less a day of food. Though he still will have full access to his drug of choice, grass. We'll see how he fairs being on a diet.
The next change is with Jynx's litter. I will be scooping it daily in addition to changing it weekly. I've also switched to an unscented litter to see if that is also why is unwilling to use the box.
Finally, we are going to make absolute certain that the cat is not eating dog food. Zailey hasn't been eating her entire breakfast lately, so I've been just leaving it in her crate for her to eat with her supper. I've also been leaving the crate open and who knows if the cat gets in there or not.
Hopefully, all of this leads to a healthier Jynx. I know that I also need help in that department.
I am enjoying life at the moment. One of the things I enjoy is food. Different culinary experiences are celebrated by overeating. I'm also not active enough and end up stress eating a lot at work as well. All of this has put my health at risk.
I can't simply turn off my mind from food. I've also got to find better ways to deal with stress than by eating. One thing I am going to do is head to the golf course a little more often this year. The exercise is great and provides stress relief as well. It is how I commune with nature.
A part of me feels that as long as I'm living and enjoying it, then it can't be that bad for me. In other words, it is my justification for eating myself to death, Then there is the part of me that is scared to die. Besides, I'm really afraid of not getting out to the world some of the stuff that I am currently writing because that is how I am going to live forever. So, I can't die until I've accomplished everything I wanted to in the literary world.
So, my environment change is going to be to start doing Blue Apron. Besides cutting back on my trips to the grocery store (I hate shopping), their meals are portioned and healthier than what I normally eat. My wife was the one that signed us up for this, so I owe her thanks. Many of the meals are either something that we've never tried before or prepared in a way we've never thought of. So that speaks to my enjoyment of the meal. We even made lunch together today and I enjoyed that.
Like Jynx, I hope that my environment changes make me healthier. It'll be great for both of us to lose a little weight.
