Hot Hands & a Forgetful Golden Retriever

I neglected to post on Sunday because my hands encountered some Taxol side effects. The right hand, starting with the index finger, began feeling swollen then hot, as if there was an infection going on. The heat spread to the crook between the index finger and thumb before "engulfing" the rest of the digits and palm. It was as if I'd grabbed a really hot object and scalded my palm and fingers - it was to the point I couldn't close my hand to make a fist. Eventually, the same condition appeared in the left hand and bottoms of my feet, though not as acutely. Not pleasant, I will say. My brother John suggested using cold packs and after a few hours of application - coupled with some Ibuprofen - the symptoms abated yet did not fully disappear.

That, of course does not explain why I am posting at this early hour. Well, I was all tucked in bed, snoozing away, when John woke me up. He said "Sedona wanted outside one more time and ...," That's all I needed to hear 'cause I could smell "the rest of the story." My brilliant golden retriever forgot a lesson she'd been taught last July: stay away from little black and white mammals, they are not our friends. Yes, folks, she got skunked, again. John hustled up to Giant Eagle for three large bottles of hydrogen peroxide and a couple boxes of baking soda so that I could make up the magical de-stink potion a good friend gave to me last year (Thanks, Matt!).

The only saving grace this time is that Sedona did not get as close to Pepe le Pew, which meant the target area was not as saturated. As of right now, my in-the-dog-house pup has been put through the de-stink cycle three times, rinsed in the shower, and dried. As for me, I'm going to bed.

Geez.