That’s Jasper. He’s my dog nephew. My brother’s dog.

Jasper is a special dog. He was dumped in my brother’s friend’s backyard and ever since my brother took him he has not left his side. He has to be everywhere his dad is.

Not that this has anything to do with this story.

Last night my brother took him to the vet because he couldn’t keep any food down and he was turning into skin and bones. My brother knew what was wrong. The x-ray confirmed it.

He had pieces of his beloved basketball lodged in his stomach. Jasper likes to destroy basketballs and then play with only the pieces. Well, he liked to play the ULTIMATE keep away and eat the pieces.

To make a long story short, he had to have surgery to open up his stomach and remove said pieces of the basketball.

I heard this morning that the surgery was SUCCESSFUL and he’ll be home Sunday night.

Lesson learned. A very EXPENSIVE lesson learned.
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Today I'll be relaxing before babysitting tonight for one of my families -- the parents are celebrating their 10th Anniversary and are going to the Fireside Theater. It's a place where you eat a gourmet meal and then watch an off-off-way off Broadway play. It's kind of Broadway for poor people. Anyway, I went to the Fireside a few years ago with my grandma and mom to see The Sound of Music -- boy was it good! I was impressed. It may not be Broadway (NYC style) but the talent was excellent. I want to go see Annie in 2011 when it comes to the Fireside. I've always loved that musical.
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I'm so sad hearing about all these little kids killing themselves over being bullied at school. It's so wrong! My school has an anti-bullying program but it still happens. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop it from happening. I think kid's learn bullying from their parents or older siblings. None of my friends bully other kids. I don't bully other kids. I was bullied as a kid so maybe that's partly why I've become so emotional the past few days. Eleven-year-old kids shouldn't be feeling the only way out is through suicide. Their parents and the school personnel should be protecting them, advocating for them! A lot of these younger kids who are bullied (tormented) on a daily basis aren't being listened to by anyone. They must feel so alone.