He loves Puppy Baby - a gift from Uncle Wayne.
So, just yesterday I mentioned in my Ten on Tuesday that I would like to do some agility course training with my dog, Derby Pie. Well, we can now officially cross that one off the list. 
But today I realized Derby had been shaking most of the morning and just didn’t seem to feel well. Even when he was lying down and seemed to be resting he was shaking. He didn’t seem feverish or lethargic and he still had an appetite. But he just didn’t seem to feel well. I called the Vet’s office and got an appointment for the afternoon. 
down. I am supposed to be keeping him from jumping off of beds, couches, chairs, stairs, et cetera. But the whole reason I wanted to do those agility classes is because Derby is such a good jumper and really seems to enjoy it! 
Oh, and I forgot to mention that I kind of fell yesterday. 
At the dog park I left my cane in the car. And by the time Derby and I got to the small gate I was already tired. I just kept telling myself the walking was good for me. But it certainly wore me out. Derby and I should sleep well tonight. 
I said, "That's the one. "
We brought him home.
The second piece of Derby’s dog bed is complete! Last night I cast on the third and final piece. It’s not even finished and he’s already chewing on it. 
I really love living in the South. Expect for during July and August. And sometimes June. It has been so hot and humid and I knew I had to do something about the mass of curls and waves of furry sweetness that covered Derby's back. He went for his first haircut yesterday. I left him with the groomer for a few hours. I had a requested a classic cocker cut-or as LYLASarah calls it, "a dog mullet". When I returned to the groomer's and Derby came running down the hall I thought, "that's not my dog". He looks so different! And at first I was wondering what I had done to my baby. But I'm growing accustomed to it and I know he feels so much cooler. He looks like a big boy cocker spaniel now. And kind of like Falkor from The Neverending Story. 
I took Derby and the Huskybutts to the dog park yesterday. 
Memphis and Keyara showed up like the cool kids who run things. “Hey, we’re here and we’re marking the whole park because it is OURS. Got it? You all are so un-cool. Hey, you! Pit Bull, yeah you. You’re not as awesome as you think. Yeah, that little chocolate cocker spaniel kid is our cousin. Yes, he does embarrass us sometimes. You wanna make something of it? I didn’t think so. We’re outta here.”
I think they may have run all the way to the other end of the field because they knew Derby couldn’t keep up. He tried. He really did. However, around the half-way mark he gave up, turned around, and headed back in my direction. Another time he ran after them with all his might. But his front legs gave out and he landed on his chin. He was fine. It was funny. Memphis and Keyara pointed and laughed.
He really is being such a brave little boy. I’ve been so impressed with him. I know wearing this collar is not a comfortable thing and he does not like it. Yet he has not whined or pouted or seemed grouchy about it. He’s just dealing. There was a moment yesterday when I regretted the whole thing. When he looked up at me with his head poking through that collar and I could see in his eyes that he’s feeling tired and cooped up. I wished that I could take it all back. I just wanted him to be able to relax as usual and run and jump and play and clean himself as he likes.
Last night I had planned to let Derby sleep on the floor of my bedroom thinking he would be unable to jump onto my bed with that lampshade around his neck-considering that he’s still mastering even getting up onto my bed on the first try. I made him two pallets on the floor and brought in plenty of toys. I got him all set up. But as I lay in bed reading Blue Like Jazz a furry little head popped up, followed by a body, that lay down beside me. He stayed on the bed all night, lying close to me, which I found comforting and I’m sure he did, too. During the night I awoke and took the collar off for a few minutes to give him a breather. After I had removed it he began to lick my hand as if to say, “thank you”.Today is the day. We dropped Derby off at the vets' office around 8:00 this morning. His surgery will probably start around 11:00 (CST). I’ll call the office later today (around 2:30-3:00 to see how he's doing. He can be picked up tomorrow morning. I already miss him so much already! The house seems so quiet. Being here while he’s there and wondering what he’s doing is nerve wracking. He took Bah-Bah along with him. But I'm sure he's having lots of fun playing with the staff. He's so irresistible they can't help themselves.
While we were in the waiting room a very large dog with a hurt paw came in and Derby started shaking in his furry little boots. But they made friends after the usual sniffing. As the nice vet tech lady was taking Derby to the back she said, “Come on Derby, let’s go flirt with some girls one last time.” As he headed off Derby looked over his shoulder at me as if to say, "See ya later Mom!"
I need a sedative.
