Why, I wondered, is there blood on the floor? And then: Why is there blood on the blanket? And: Why is there blood on the dog bed? Upon closer scrutiny, I had my answer. Jelly had, somehow, snagged her dewclaw and torn it badly. She seemed oblivious, more focused on the water bowl than her mangled paw, apparently…
January 18, 2015: The week ahead! Football anguish!
Looking at a mighty busy week upcoming. Production on Dark Matter's first two episodes shift to location work. We'll be in Hamilton Monday to Wednesday, then Kitchener Thursday to Friday. I'll be joining them on the outskirts on three of our five out days, but Wednesday and Thursday will see me at the production offices…
December 27, 2014: Jelly works up an appetite!
Too much fiber in her diet!
December 14, 2014: Snow Monkeys, Bourbon-laced Cookies, and Dogs!
My Fantasy Football team, The Snow Monkeys, are on life support following a career worst performance by Green Bay Quarterback Aaron Rodgers. And subpar performances by Tre Mason, Steve Smith, and Adam Vinatieri didn't help. We're down 96.82 to 71.2o heading into tomorrow's Monday Night game. Do you think my final player, running back Matt…
December 13, 2014: Snow Dogs!
Well, turns out I'm not the only one who is going to have to get used to deep freeze here in Toronto. Due to her hip dysplasia, arthritic shoulders, and advanced age (almost 16!), Jelly gets a free ride. Literally. She gets shuttled from the hotel to the park and back in a special…
December 8, 2014: Snow Monkeys Win! Let’s celebrate with dog videos!
That's it! My Snow Monkeys move on to the semi-finals to take on The Mighty Merkins! Let's celebrate with doggy videos... First up, Bubba finally has enough of Lulu's noisy toy-playing: Next season on Discovery Channel's "Eaten Alive":
September 4, 2014: The Game Plan!
Today, I completed a first draft of episode #12 in which the various arcs we develop over the course of the show's first season converge in a story about identity, loyalty, and friendship, culminating in a shocking conclusion that sets the stage for an even more shocking finale. It joins my first draft of episode…
August 11, 2014: Dog bones! Awesome t-shirts! And Boxy!
Well, I got that second opinion on Jelly's hip. Apparently, she dislocated it a while ago. It's an old injury and that makes it even harder to treat. Popping it back in will be a very painful procedure - and given the deterioration of her hip bones, it's almost guaranteed to pop out again. Our…
August 9, 2014: My poor girl!
Akemi and I came back from visiting the farmer's market to find Jelly's water bowl upended and Jelly splayed out on the wet hardwood floor. Her head was completely drenched and I suspect she must have done a face plant into the water before losing her balance and falling...and then not being able to get…
June 24, 2014: Jelly tries to put the kibosh on my travel plans!
The other night, I was awakened by a kerplunk (!), the unmistakable sound of a portly, elderly pug falling off the bed. I sat up to discover 15 year old Jelly, struggling to stand up on the polished hardwood floor. She seemed surprised but otherwise okay. Just in case though, I brought her out to…
June 19, 2014: A busy day, but there’s always time for dogs!
A crazy day, chock full o' tests of physical endurance, phone calls, emails, errands, reading, critiquing but, alas, no actual writing. Damn. I've been sitting on this pilot for over a week now. Time to get it done! Tomorrow, come hell or high water, I finally complete that elusive first draft. Best decant the Knob…
May 31, 2014: Akemi packs it away! Ollie! Judd!
"I ate like a garbage box." - Akemi, the other day, after a particularly filling meal. She has a way with words, no? These are some of the inspired dishes she's been packing away... Last night, we elected to take a break from the kitchen and headed over to our favorite Japanese restaurant: Yuji's (2083…
May 14, 2014: Hockey, waiting, and alarmingly elaborate culinary creations!
Last night as the game headed into overtime... Me: "Who are you rooting for, the Chicago Blackhawks or the Minnesota Wild?" Akemi: "The Minestrone Wild." Alas, it was a sad night in Minestrone. The Wild ended up losing and were eliminated from playoff contention. Well, we're Vegas-bound for a few days. I was hoping to…
April 22, 2014: Zombies in cars getting brains! Bubba! Continuing our Stargate Atlantis re-watch with…Identity!
Today's inane conversation with my Japanese girlfriend: As we pulled into the underground parkade... Akemi: That looks like zombie car (indicating an old, tarp-covered sedan). Joe: What's a zombie car? Akemi: A car that zombie hide in so it can eat people. (Obviously). Joe: What do you mean? They drive around offering lifts to people and…
April 21, 2014: Bubba’s surgery! Stargate stuff! Continuing our Stargate Atlantis re-watch with…Infection!
Bubba had his surgery today. Before... And after... The bandage conceals a nasty cut-and-stitch that looks like a wound he may have sustained in a knife fight. Thanks for all the well-wishes. He's on the mend and already eating like crazy. Robert Cooper forwarded me the following link under the email heading: "Where were these…