Everywhere I went yesterday involved near faux paws of wondering if people just looked really wrong, or it was Halloween. Timmy had to go to the vet multiple times in the morning for multiple blood draws out of his jugular. I thought there was a new doc there. Nope, it’s a doctor suit on the new receptionist? I think. Didn’t ask.

That guy sure looks bad on his bike, all heroin junk gray and eye sockets with his cowboy hat. Hey wait, maybe it’s his Halloween makeup? Not sure. The girl in tutu and black legwarmers held up with garters and vintage Michael Jordans and huge Kipling backpack? Last week while waiting in line at Longs for way too long there was also a girl with a similar outfit sans the Michael Jordans, so it is possibly a style or possibly Halloween. I don’t know.

At agility, there were blessedly few dog costumes, a couple minor decorations. I had a period of my life where I could dress up dogs. Timmy had a standing Princess Diana costume that worked for some years and was real easy. Just slip on pearls and tiara and you’re done. One year him and Ruby went as Kurt and Courtney, which involved an old sweater and Ruby some tattered piece of slip and pearls (which had been previously owned by Princess Di). It became apparent Ruby was not the type that you dress up. Timmy sort of liked it. Then I think we stopped having friends and getting invited to places where you might dress up dogs. That was a San Francisco life. Down here on Halloween, you just try to tell skeletons from skeletons.

Dirt night was Halloween night so we didn’t have to worry about eating all the candy. I just made the classes do lots of rear crosses. Everyone seemed please to be there instead of dealing with Halloween. Maybe we are a dour and friendless bunch, no party on, no elaborate costume balls to attend. We train those dogs, rain or shine. Get dirty, eat a cupcake, deal with the barking. Hobbes was gone, at the Really Biggest Dog Show, so I just had small dogs. Tried to let Gustavo sit on the deck and watch with someone else but as soon as I ran one of my dogs, the horrible monkey sounds began. Back in the car. Otterpop barked incessantly and I realize now having a large border collie sitting next to her and staring all night may be the key to a quiet Otterpop. He has her whipped. But she sure did run fast last night. Just not dressed up fancy.