For a long time now, I've been talking about getting a dog. I'm fortunate to live in a loft in downtown San Diego that has is very permissive with pets. There have been a few time when I've gone to those adoption events and allllmost walked away with a puppy.

The first year I resisted because I'd be at work too often. Well, after my departure from MindTouch, my friend remarked that I had all the time in the world to take care of a puppy! So true!

One of my coworkers went out of town this weekend, and left his 4-month old lab puppy with me, so I got a dry run of what it'd be like to have a puppy.

Coming out of the weekend: I know I want to get a dog for sure... but not while I live downtown. Or at least, if I was going to get a dog, I'd have to get one that was already housetrained. Dealing with a semi-housetrained puppy that was not used to downtown was difficult.

I'd take the poor thing out for these long 45 minute walks (with no pooping or peeing... argh!). Towards the end of them, the puppy would start whimpering and whining, so I'd take her home.  She'd run over to the carpet, and take a dump or pee. Le sigh. 

Taking care of the thing was kind of stressful - I mean, she was loads of fun (and she slept a lot)... but when she was awake, I had this constant need to check-in and make sure she wasn't destroying anything. (My rug took a beating over the weekend). 

And you'd figure that with a cute puppy, I'd take advantage by going out and trying to meet cute girls... but to be honest, the attention she'd get when she went outside got kind of old... really fast. Same questions over and over again. (It also didn't help that I was in a massive state of inspiration so I was itching to get back to work whenever I took her on these frequent long walks). 

So it was a great experience, and definitely reaffirmed my love for dogs... but not while I live here. 

Story of the picture: I just had to post it - it cracked me up. I know dogs aren't that smart, but I'd like to think that after Lilou took that dump, she tried to "cover it up" by putting the duckie right next to it.