A Prince Among Mutts

 Saturday, July 19, 2025

Happy Saturday to me! Emma is still on vacation, which means more lap time. Two weeks left of this little bliss bubble before she disappears into her office for work again — which is rude, frankly, but I digress.

This morning started with her groaning like a dying walrus. Headache, neck pain, whatever. I tried to offer support by staring at her dramatically from my pillow until she got up and resumed worshipping me as usual. 

While she waited for her “thyroid pill” to settle so she could take her real drugs (hello, Advil), I lay there radiating West Coast calm. I am a California dog in spirit — breezy, beachy, soulful. I was born to bask in sunshine and avocado oil. Not sweat in Indiana humidity with ducks. (But we'll get to the ducks.)

Now let’s talk about the PARK.

Ohhhh girl. What a scene. We walked around like we owned the place — and let’s be honest, we kinda do now that Chewy’s gone. (Sorry, old buddy.) I met so many new people. There was a lady with a stroller — she smelled like finger paints and hand sanitizer. Preschool teacher vibes. We shared a moment. Then another lady in the evening, older, also a teacher — we exchanged vibes and numbers. (Okay, Emma exchanged numbers. I just peed nearby to seal the bond.)

But the REAL gossip? We found abandoned underwear AND a bartender’s guide. Who leaves those in a park? Someone either had the best night of their life or the worst. I sniffed them both thoroughly. My human tried to act scandalized but I know she was secretly delighted. Indiana parks, baby.

And then — ducklings. Fluffy, frantic, adorable. Even I, a California soul in a Midwest body, had to pause. They were swimming the riverlike they owned it. I admired their audacity. I aspire to that energy.

There’s a concert happening at the park soon. Huge setup. Not sure how I feel. Part of me wants to be front row in sunglasses, the other part wants it to shut up so I can nap. We’ll see. Either way, I’ll hear it from the house, whether I’m vibing or not.

When we got home, I curled up with my giant stuffed bear — don’t judge, he’s got excellent vibes. He watches over me when Emma goes off doing “human things.” Like cleaning the garage and getting bonked by mysterious flying wood planks. (I told her not to mess with the garage demons.) Or going to the phone store and realizing she’s still metaphorically married to Aaron through AT&T. Tragic.

We also got Mexican food with Judy, who’s cool. She might come to the yard sale tomorrow. This one’s for Stacie Jo. (Honestly, I don’t get yard sales. Why sell the good smells?)

So yeah. That was FridayEmotionally messy, a little sweaty, full of suspicious objects, but also joy, connection, ducklings, and love. California would be proud.

– Peanut 🐾