12/28/2012: Shuffle Bone

First of all, let me stress that I am not one of those people that buys their pets Christmas gifts. The fact that I bought this on Christmas Eve day for Darwin is nothing more than a coincidence. Had I not been looking for something else in Bed Bath & Beyond when I spotted the Shuffle Bone, he never would've gotten it.

11/30/2012: (Deflated) Basketball

Darwin enjoys chasing this basketball around the yard and it's deflated just enough so that he can grip it in his mouth if he tries hard enough and doesn't run too fast with it. Rather amusing to watch him try to carry it back across the yard, he'll drop it several times. After dropping it he usually looks over at me with that "Are you gonna help me with this or not?" look dogs have. You dog owners know what I'm talking about.

See also: Dog Tire, 33lb Bag of Dog Food

10/12/2012: Dog Brush

As much fur as this dog brush takes out of Darwin's coat I'm shocked that he isn't bald when I'm done.

9/15/2012: Pet Hair Removal Mitt

Run this pet hair removal mitt over the couch or whatever and it lifts the dogs hair right off. Provided you don't do it backwards - then it just spreads dog hair around. I don't use this often anymore, on the couch the dog hair comes off just as easily with my bare hand. Got it out though because the new bedding on the bed (as opposed to, say, the bedding on the dining room table) seems to be a dog hair magnet.

8/28/2012: Screwdriver (and chew toy)

This Phillips head screwdriver fell victim to Darwin while he was teething. Normally he doesn't chew things he isn't supposed, outside a little damage during that period when his adult teeth were coming in. There's this screwdriver, a baseboard corner in the kitchen, a small tear on the living room chair (which I repaired by coloring in the gash with a Sharpie!) and one of my hats. Instead of chewing he will lick some things obsessively... which is why I keep my bedroom door closed during the day. Have you ever laid down on a soaked pillow a dog has spent an hour licking? I have.

See Also: Giant Kong, Folding Hex Wrench Set

7/18/2012: Dog Food Bowl

Twice a day this is Darwin's favorite place in the house. After he finsihes humping his 33lb bag of dog food (and on nights when he's not eating out of his Giant Kong) I dump three-quarters of a cup of delicious dried IAMs pellets in the silver dog food bowl. Mmmm mmmm that's good eatin'!

See Also: 33lb Bag of Dog Food; Giant Kong

6/25/2012: 33lb Bag of Dog Food

Had to run to Target after work tonight to pick up another 33lb bag of dog food, used up the last of the previous bag for breakfast. To clarify, for Darwin's breakfast, not mine. I just had a cup of coffee before leaving for work. Now I'm sure every dog owner has their own meal time ritual with their pet. For me and Darwin when it's meal time I excitedly ask "Who's hungry? WHO'S HUNGRY???" At this question he'll jump up, maybe spin and run into the kitchen... and run head first into the dog food bag. I assume to show me where it is in case I'd forgotten. At least that's what he used to do. Now... more often than not... instead of just running into the bag... he'll start humping it. Which is hilarious I think. Tried to get a pic of that happening tonight but unfortunately he just wasn't feeling it apparently.

See Also: Dog Stuff; Pics that include Darwin

6/7/2012: Dog Crate

The dog crate has long been relegated to the basement as Darwin pretty much has the run of the house now. Used it when he was a pup and for house training him, but after he was a few months old it's been largely unused.

See also: Baby Gate, Stuff the Dog Hates

5/18/2012:Dog Brush

4/19/2012: Shovel

This shovel, according to my dad, is "a good shovel." He was quite taken with it at one point, liked the weight and feel of it. Me? I primarily use it as a scoop when I'm experiencing one of the great joys of dog ownership, doody duty.

See also: Bucket

4/6/2012: Dog Tire

This dog tire is one of Darwin's toys in the backyard. For the endless games of fetch he so enjoys. You would think that it would get old of the second or third toss and "Git it!"... but it doesn't. At least not for the dog.

3/11/2012: Bucket

Everyone that has a dog probably has a bucket like this in the yard. This is the doody duty bucket. One of the true joys of dog ownership.

3/6/2012: Baby Gate

Chances are if you've got a dog you've got a baby gate. Initially used to keep Darwin in (out out) of various rooms when he was a puppy, now it's primarily used to block his path to the front door when I have Chinese food or Jimmy John's delivered so he can't jump up and lick the delivery men to death.

3/5/2012: Bamboo Print Shower Curtain

The dog once nearly led to the destruction of my bamboo print shower curtain. He was standing directly behind me while I was "using the facilities" (which we all know is a euphemism for "taking a leak"), I didn't notice him and stepped back when I was finished, started to fall over him and frantically grabbed the shower curtain putting a big tear in it. Because the shower curtain was going to save me. So I took it down with the intention of replacing it. Just left the clear plastic shower liner up for a very long time. Then I decided it wasn't worth replacing for $20 ($20 for a sheet of plastic!? Screw that.) and fixed the tear with clear plastic packing tape.That's the level of handy I am: tape.

3/1/2012: Treat Pouch

This treat pouch is meant to clip on your belt so you have easy access to treats when training your dog or taking him for a walk. This particular one is usually full of Darwin's favorite treat, Cheetos. Don't worry, it's the baked ones so they're healthy. Even if the seeped through grease stains on the outside of the pouch may indicate otherwise. And of course I chose this particular one at the pet store because of the combination of functionality with my love a bad puns. Outward Hound.

2/4/2012: Wall Mirror

This wall mirror can never be moved. Why? Because when I hung it up I think I had to drill three or four different holes to try to get it level, really tore the hell out of the plaster behind it. This mirror matches the wooden box I keep my remotes in - same wood, same inlaid white pieces of shell (or whatever it is), same collection at Target. (Also on clearance.) 

You can also see in the reflection a couple items I've already posted (my couch, yesterday's key cabinet is on those shelves). There's probably a good week's worth of stuff just in the reflection. Not to mention the dog occupying MY spot.

1/28/2012: Salad Spinner

I got this salad spinner just yesterday, so I guess it's my newest stuff. I buy that bagged salad and I never wash it cause it's a pain to dry. And every time I do that the thought crosses my mind that someone somewhere could've peed on my lettuce. Why would anyone want to pee on my lettuce? Beats me. I have no idea what motivates somebody crazy enough to pee on lettuce.

Also I discovered this afternoon that nothing seems to piss off the dog like rapidly rotating leafy greens.

1/27/2012: Giant Kong

The giant Kong is basically a torture device for my dog Darwin. It's hard plastic, screws apart and you fill it with dog food. Kind of like those plastic Easter eggs you fill with candy but on a larger scale. Once filled with dog food I set it on the ground and Darwin attacks it, because let's face facts he's been inside all day while I've been at work and he's starving. He knocks it over bats it around leaps on it to get it to tip juuuuust so and... two little pieces of dog food come out the hole in the side. Then, since it's basically a giant weeble, the giant Kong rights itself and Darwin has to attack it again. And again. And again.

Until it gets stuck under the couch.