Today I washed and vacuumed my car until it was all shiny and pretty. It will most likely not be this way again until after the thaw in March. I was so proud of how nice it was. I tucked the chocolates from the car wash into my purse and ran the rest of my errands.

Went into the supermarket, bought all kinds of healthful foods and came back to my car.

The dog had emptied the contents of my purse, which is of a significant size, all over the interior of the car in the quest for the chocolate he was licking up from my seat where he had clearly ground some in. He had foil hanging from his mouth so I know he'll be ill tonight.

I came home to see the cat. I approached my overstuffed chair to throw myself in because of my frustration with the dog. Then I noticed that the cat had filled the chair with the soil from the plant next to the chair. ALL of the soil and all of the greenery.

Both, you'll be proud to know, are still alive. I know because they are crying at me from the bathroom where they will remain locked for the rest of their lives.

Ok, people. I have an ethical dilemna and I want to hear some points of view outside my own head. Lurkers and friends alike--please weigh in.

Here's the deal. Daisy is a stray hound who came into my life on Saturday. Daisy is the lover o' Duke. (Get it? Daisy Duke?) She's been living with me and is quite a well-behaved little girl. We've had our moments, of course, but overall she's been a nice tempered, laid-back, good girl. Everything I read about her breed (bluetick coonhound) says that she's a smart, problem-solving dog who's prone to escape and roam. In the roaming, Daisy has been "in season" and is likely preggers. How do you tell for sure with a dog? Wait until they show progress. So, there's no real way to tell at this point. When I talked to the vet about what should come next with her he said that spaying is an option. That, of course, would mean that if she were preggers--no puppies would survive.

When I started thinking about that, I started crying. Yes, I know that's pretty silly.

Here's my question: Where do all of you stand on doggie reproductive rights? Would you spay the dog? Tell me, oh internet posse, what would you do?

Who knew that hounds slept so much?