June 19, 2020

White Dog and Steve conferred. Between the heavy smoke hanging in the air and the unexplained on-going fireworks, it was decided that pre bedtime walks would be cancelled.

We are experiencing heavy rolling smoke coming from the horrible fires engulfing Arizona. The pictures we have seen of areas we have frequently visited there has left us saddened and asking the Universe to save the creatures, structures, and the land. We have dear friends in that area that a mere shift in winds may place in jeopardy. Here in Albuquerque, hundreds of miles from the flames, the smell of smoke is choking outside. The White Dog Army has been sneezing all day. Poor Tizenegy and Pearl, both with breathing issues are dragging and coughing. Steve suffers from asthma. Going out for brisk walks does not seem prudent; instead, a quick out to the yard and back inside with extra treats will have to suffice.

Just to punctuate the Stay Home and Inside thinking some fools in the neighborhood have chosen to host an impromptu fireworks celebration. The explosions and screams have some members of  The White Dog Army hiding and shaking in fear.

Nights like these remind me of Zsofia's suggestion when she was younger and it was pouring outside. "Wouldn't it be nice if we could all have treadmills and a television that played a video of walking in amazing places around the world? Then on nights like these, we could just walk inside and pretend we were in Machu Picchu or Budapest and we would be safe and dry and happy!"