Another house and pet sitting assignment has come and gone
with one caveat; I spent most of this one with my arm in a cast.
I recently had carpal and cubical tunnel surgery on my right
arm thus making typing a bit challenging. After a day of trying to type I
bought a dictation software program; now I have to learn how to use it. So far,
it's straightforward and while I'll have to edit manually, the majority of
typing is done with the software.
This assignment was about a three-hour drive from my home to
the Southwest Florida town of Naples. The ride will take me across the Sunshine
Skyway Bridge, which is rated by the travel channel as number three of its top
10 bridges in the world. It spans over 4 miles and towers more than 400 feet
above Tampa Bay.
Arriving at the house the night before Jim and Cynthia
departed for their vacation I was reacquainted with the three Bichon dogs they
would leave in my care. Since I considered this a day trip, I had previously
taken the ride to meet Jim, Cynthia and the pups. It was on this initial visit
that the bonds of human friendship and animal trust began.
Dinner and reminiscing complete, and details finalized, it
was soon time to hit the bed. Tomorrow
begins early with Jim and Cynthia departing at 0415.
With the 0430 departure of the homeowners the dogs, Tuffy,
Molly, and Baby were all anxious and wondering what I was doing here and where
mom and dad had just gone. After going outside to take care of their business
plus a little affection and attention they calmed down and went back to sleep;
so did I.
As with most of my house and pet sitting assignments, I
spent the first day getting acquainted and socializing with the dogs.
When I checked my email later in the morning, I found my
oldest daughter had issued me the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
challenge, otherwise known as the ALS challenge. With a 24-hour window to donate to the ALS
fund or dunk with an ice and water mix, I choose the dunk.
With my arm in a cast, not knowing anyone to ask for
help, and not being in my home where help and various buckets were available, I
had to engineer a way of getting one and a half to 2 gallons of ice water over
my head. After looking around the house,
I found a ladder, a 5-gallon bucket, and with some rope from my truck I tried
to design a system of dumping the water from the letter to me sitting on the
ground.
After several test with the ladder and bucket, the only thing I could see from this engineering project was injury.
Resuming my search inside the home, I found a
2-quart pitcher and a 1-gallon bucket.
In the end, I was dunked twice.
After a couple of days of being on this assignment,
I don't think I could have asked for a better place to recuperate. Living in a nice, comfortable home, with good
dogs and a pool, a park across the street, and all the essentials within
walking distance, who could ask for more.
Finally, the day to have my cast removed has come
and gone. With both arms free it's to fully immerse and enjoy the use of the
pool.
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In between spending time in the pool and walking the
neighboring park, I didn't venture in the car to historic Naples, the Naples pier,
and beach.
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| 5th Ave, Naples |
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| Most colorful store front in town |
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| Artwork |
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| An historic home one block from the beach |
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| Outside seating for drinks or dining |
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| Beach by Naples pier |
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| Dolphin swimming by the pier |
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| Dolphin swimming by the pier |
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| Veterans Memorial Monument |
The park across the street offers sailing, a beach for swimming,
canoeing/kayaking, integrate walking trail around medium-size lake. With my arm still healing, I elected against
sailing and kayaking, save my swimming for the pool.
While there was no wildlife on the trail, the scenery around
the lake was tranquil and relaxing. My
stroll lasted about an hour before returning home in getting into the pool.
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| Preparing the kayaks |
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| Mother and son enjoying a walk |
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| Dog friendly walking trail |
With Jim and Cynthia scheduled to arrive home about 1 AM to
dogs were asleep in their beds and I was resting on the couch. But as soon as the pups heard the voices of
mom and dad they were up running around in circles and barking.
After discussing their trip and letting the dogs out
everyone retired to bed.
With a three-hour drive ahead of me, farewells exchanged,
and yard work to do it my own home I departed about 0730.
Another house sitting assignment has come to an end. Even with limited mobility because of a bum arm,
this assignment was enjoyable and I look forward to visiting Jim, Cynthia and
the pups again.
Until next time
Mike
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