Here is the update on Allie. She has two large inoperable tumors, one in her lungs and one in her liver. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be anything we can do about them – they can't be removed and radiation/chemo will cause a lot of lung damage. I may try to get a second opinion from a well-recommended animal hospital in Maryland with a cancer practice, but I do not have high hopes for what they will say. In the meantime, Allie is doing OK. She hated the ultrasound, but she is her usual self – getting skinnier, but still trying to eat our food and cuddle up with us on the couch. I think I am in denial today because I am not as sad as I was earlier this week. It will hit me later.

I worked from home today so that I could take Allie to the vet. I got to pick up M at school, and we stopped at the market to get her a treat. She didn't want to go unless she could also get A a treat, so there is a strawberry shortcake ice cream treat awaiting A in the freezer. Meanwhile, A went off at a playdate at her friend Paloma's house. M was also invited, but she decided not to go. She is going through a rather anti-social phase. She doesn't want to go on playdates, she doesn't want to have friends over, and she doesn't even want to go to birthday parties. I think it's a phase. In the meantime we are encouraging her to have her own friends over (Paloma is in A's class), and to suggest some people who she would like to get together with. She says she likes being home with Imogene. I have to say, she was very happy being home. We finished her homework early and she just enjoyed relaxing and being home with Imogene and me.

Once I am back at work I can scan some very cute homework and art.

Thanks to everyone who has written or called about Allie. She is a very much-loved dog.