Today my son's dad is picking him up for the weekend. I asked that he bring him back tomorrow night at 6:00, but he never responded.

Anyway, I'm having to plan lots of things to fill my time when my son isn't here: housecleaning, freelance work, an Al-Anon meeting (because a friend suggested it would be a good way to get my life focus back), maybe looking for a more appropriate dog for me and my son.

Speaking of the dog, our current dog weighs about 100 pounds (literally) and has terrible separation anxiety, so he follows me all over the house. It's become pretty ridiculous. The dog follows me into the bathroom every time, and into the kitchen. If I get close to the front door, he'll jerk out of a sound sleep to stand on my heels, even if I'm just going to take out the trash. He's like "The Sidler" on "Seinfeld" — every time I turn around...he's right there. It was cute for a while. Now it's driving me crazy, but that's not the real problem, believe it or not. The real problem is that he barks and cries and scratches the place up in an effort to follow us when we leave the house, and he's desperately unhappy when we're gone. When we tried crating him, per the rescue group's recommendation, he broke his teeth bending the crate door to (successfully) get out. This is not good for many reasons. I need a dog with a more secure temperament, who likes to be with us, but also doesn't come unglued when we leave it at home.

Well, my son's dad is coming soon, and my son is right next to me in the bathtub (my computer is about four feet from the open bathroom door), so I'd better hustle him along. I've taken to waiting outside for R., rather than inviting him in. I just need that boundary right now, under the circumstances.

- Beth