I am now trained.

Crazy Cowboy goes out first. I open his crate and he is like a shot -- down the stairs and out the door. Then I gently pick up Jumbo and carry her outside. While she is doing her business I warm a towel in the clothes drier. As it is raining (finally!) I prepare a cave for them in the garage. Her warmed blanket goes in the dog bed. I gently place her on the blanket and tuck it around her.

In the evening Don goes with me. His job is to cuddle Jumbo who seems to like some lap time. Maggie the Cat has decided to be friendly as well. (Her sister Anya now lives with a friend of mine in La Jolla as an only pet. Anya found the automatic poop scooper and the overactivity of the household too much for her. She lives quietly with a psychologist in a condo with an ocean view. She is very happy.)

While Don toodles I feed. I admit to a little bit of fear putting my hand into the bird cages. Last time I did this gig, Bob the parrot (I think he is a parrot) got out while I had the door open. You would have LOVED the scene of me getting him back in! There are two pigeons, one parrot(?) one tiel, two budgies (I think) and nine canaries.

The pigeons, the tiel, and the canaries all have eggs. I am thinking the tiel --currently named Stud -- may need a name change.