Frankie and I, testing the lobby furniture at the Hotel Indigo last year

We’re here! Here being the fabulous Hotel Indigo in fabulous San Diego.

I’m not usually so superlative but I’m feeling very upbeat.

The three-pronged approach to dog calming — playing the Through a Dog’s Ear CD, using the Calming Collar (though I put it on the car seat, not on Frankie) and giving Frankie an herbal chill pill (sorry, I forgot to write down the name) seems to have worked. The ride to San Diego was far better than those I’ve had in the past. In fact, the first half hour I almost killed us both on the freeway because I kept trying to find Frankie. I usually spot him by looking in the vanity mirror, because he’s in my line of vision, standing up vigilantly, but this time I couldn’t see him, no matter how I adjusted the mirror. I was convinced he’d somehow twisted out of his harness and was being strangled by the seat belt.

And no, all you who believe in the magical power of thinking bad thoughts, I didn’t cause any of that to happen.

It turned out he was lying down. Out of my line of vision.

He did eventually stand up. But without shaking and panting.

Now here’s where the caffeine part of this post’s title comes in. I usually have my fair share of coffee in the morning while I’m working but I left early and didn’t want to have to have to make any rest stops before Dateland which has shaded dog kennels that you can lock. That’s a story for another post. Suffice it to say, I was wired enough by the drive with Frankie not to feel the need for any coffee. By the time we got to San Diego, it was late afternoon, and definitely time for calm down happy hour beverages, not coffee.

I turned in early, figuring that my sense of exhaustion was from a seven hour drive.

Then I woke up this morning with a raging headache.

I couldn’t think of a cause but suddenly remembered: A friend who decided to stop drinking Tab cold turkey — it was a while ago; no one drinks Tab anymore, do they? — suffered from terrible caffeine withdrawal. That must be what was happening to me, I realized, since I’d had no coffee at all yesterday.

So I took the cure: Two Tylenol and a cup of coffee. And now I’m feeling fabulous!

I’m psyched for lunch with Penny C. Sansevieri, author marketing guru and my co-presenter at this past BlogPaws. She is bring her dog Cosmo. I’ll take pictures.

Two more bits of fabulousness:

Frankie and I are featured in today’s R.O.A.R squad at Fido & Wino’s blog.

And DancingDogBlog.com posted a terrific review of Am I Boring My Dog.

16 thoughts on “Caffeine & Dog Calmers & Fabulousness”

  1. Congrats on getting there in one piece! Now that you’re there, I can tell you that I would have worried about the same stuff you mentioned in your previous post. I may have added a few to your list … not worried about some others on your list … but I think we’d come in about the same number! More in common than you know 🙂

    1. Aha! A closet worrier. Then you should know how much it helps when people tell you not to worry…

      Thanks for copping to it. And of course for your good wishes.

    1. Thanks, Eric. Frankie wasn’t so sure, but we just came back from PetCo park and he really liked the pee-ridden grass with no other dogs to disturb him, so maybe he’s glad we came too.

  2. Oy Yoy Yoy ! So go ahead and worry then!

    Congrats on the book review.
    I read your book and I laughed so hard I squirted milk out my nose.

    Your book: excellent.
    Drinking liquids while reading said book: not so excellent.

  3. MESSAGE TO DON: I know I’m being presumptuous, but how about you post the following review on Amazon:

    “I read your book and I laughed so hard I squirted milk out my nose.

    Your book: excellent.
    Drinking liquids while reading said book: not so excellent.”

    I know Edie would never ask, so do it for Frankie!

  4. I’m so sad I wasn’t able to make it tonight- I got home at 8:30, soggy, covered in dog hair, and exhausted. I hope you had a WONDERFUL event!

  5. Note to Clare.

    Of course I will be happy to leave a review on Amazon. I am sorry I forgot to do that. It was not out of any weird rule I have. It was more just being self centered and not thinking about it.

    I am glad you asked. The book is a great product so I think there should never be any hesitation in asking people to leave reviews. People like to rate and review things ( look at consumer reports or web sites like angies list).

  6. Thank you all for your good wishes. Clare, as always, your efforts on my behalf are appreciated. And Don, Clare is a very tough cookie, so I’m afraid you’ll have to do her bidding…

  7. Hey, I’m taking Clare’s advice! I’ll get over to Amazon with my review:) And maybe you should lend Clare some space to do a little PR – ask all your readers who have read the book to head on over there, too?

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