[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

Thanks, Tippiechick and KStar.

I am not getting a new puppy. One of my pledge sisters got one a week ago and she emailed me to ask if I knew when the appropriate time to spay is. I'm sure she'll double-check what I told her with the vet next time she goes in.

I take my dog with me in the car because (1) all that time in traffic I get to share with Marley, and (2) SHE LOVES IT. I put the window down about three inches and she presses her little nose against the crack, smelling all the smells or whatever it is dogs do. She also loves BEING WITH ME, so if I have to drive 15 minutes each way to the grocery store and I run in for 5 minutes to buy ice cream, I just got 30 bonus minutes with my dog. 30 minutes where she's not sitting in my room, lonely and miserable.

My parents do a far better job taking care of my dog than a dog walker or doggie day care (which is EXPENSIVE) ever could. Marley has their two dogs to play with, constant access to food, water, and toys, and she's allowed to get on their couches. She is happy as a little clam over there and I count my lucky stars that I don't have to leave her alone all day.

BTW, I was thinking about drugs for long car trips, not daily use. We're talking three or four times a year here.