I feel I owe you all an Oscar Update.

The old boy has stopped gnawing on his tail for the time being, although I'm coming to see he has a whole repertoire of neurotic ticks that I think is particularly impressive for a retriever, since they're such simple fellows by and large.  He has, thankfully, not had another manic episode, with the restless pacing back and forth, but he does pick at himself and scratch out of what I am convinced is boredom rather than necessity. 

I've ended up walking him fairly regularly.   With the park right across the street it's not an imposition.  It gets me out in the evening when I'm starting to fade and gives me a much-needed second wind.  I have a tendency to hibernate through the winter.  Lucky for me, just when I'm getting ready to flatline, Oscar demands his evening perambulation, and the brisk air and the little man's infectious enthusiasm for scampering about in search of poo, re-energizes me.

I will say, Oscar's pathological coprophagia is coming between us.  Now that the last snow is melting, every stroll in the park is a veritable feast of feces for him,and a literal shit-show for me. 

Because of the nature of the Fens, and the fact that there are all those out of the way places reasonable people wouldn't think of going, a lot of dog owners seem to think it's OK to leave their dogs' feces to biodegrade back there.  And I'll admit I'm not about to wade into the rushes to gather up Fido's floaters.  Especially if Fido'll do it for me.

No, of course is vile, disgusting behavior.  But what are you gonna do?  The world is full of it.