"I'm proud to pay taxes in the United States. The only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money." - Arthur Godfrey

I enjoyed the first "Bible Project" calls this morning. There were between 40-50 people and I had some fun interactions afterward. I had to sit while I taught because I had a rough night and was in too much pain to spend an hour on my feet. I didn't like that part of it at all and I'm hopeful that beginning next Sunday I can be my normal active self.

I went from there to the gym at Eugene South High School where UFC meets for the worship service. Again, I sat through the service on one of the plastic folding chairs they set up on the gym floor. Turns out you can't see the song lyrics on the screen when you're sitting and everyone else is standing.

We came right home afterward because Ann was to arrive at 1:00 with Buddy. Sure enough, she was right on time.

I replied to an "ad" on Facebook last week from the national HQ of American Brittany Rescue and heard back within a day. The national adoption coordinator forwarded my information to the Oregon director who, in the Department of Small World Smiles, lives in Veneta, 8 miles east of us. Friday afternoon Cheri came over for a home visit and brought three Brittanys with her. They're beautiful dogs that originated in the Brittany region of NW France. They were bred to hunt water fowl, are not Spaniels (hence, Brittany Spaniel is an incorrect name), and are gentle, easily trained, and good natured. They don't have an undercoat, so don't shed much. Most of them are a combination of white and liver colored but mottled and white/black are also common.

Cheri taught us all about the Brittanys available for adoption and that more were coming. She's living late this week for Madrid to bring back six Brittanys. Apparently it's common in Spain and Greece for the breed to be used for hunting but not at all valued as companions. When hunting season is over why keep the dog to feed and care for it until next season?? So the dogs get euthanized and a new one purchased next season. Enter American Brittany Rescue.

Today Ann brought Buddy by so we could meet him. His original owner who's had him since he was just a few weeks old had to move into senior care so Buddy needs a new home. He's 10, a little overweight from getting table scraps (no more!) and is as gentle and sweet as you can imagine. He did fine when I took him into the goat pens, seemed to think Bear made a good friend (the feeling was not mutual), and was just about the perfect guest.

Ann thought Buddy was a great fit (she's jealous of our corner of Baker Rd. and wants to move in, too) so I've sent Cheri an email saying we're ready to proceed with the formal steps in the adoption process.

With Cheri's trip to Spain it may be a week or so before Buddy comes to live here. And I won't be at all surprised if this is the first of the Brittanys we adopt. They really are an almost ideal companion dog breed. They don't have any of the physical issues that plague some breeds (hip dysplasia, cancer, eye problems), are known for being shy (unlike, say, Pit Bulls), and are almost pathologically happy. At 10 Buddy is mellow but still enjoys exercise and will reportedly fetch a tennis ball long past you're ready to move on to the next thing.

That's the news here. I've spent the rest of the afternoon in my chair taking a preacher's nap to compensate for the sleep I didn't get last night, will now go feed goats, and lay low this evening. My next PT appointment is Tuesday morning and I go to an orthopedist in the afternoon. Tomorrow I hope to install hinges and trim on the trailer, write the questions for the UFC small groups, and then go to our small group tomorrow evening.
Maybe clean the coop? The weaning pen? Give Frenchie her CD-T booster shot? Plenty of chores to do with the hip issues the deciding factor.