Every year we rent a large house at the beach for Karen and I, her parents, her sister, a friend Beth and 3 dogs. It's always expensive because it has to have a pool (so the dogs can swim in it) and an elevator for her parents. I'm allergic to dogs, so during the week I claim one chair and the dogs aren't allowed on it, and I can't sit anywhere else to prevent an allergic reaction. Blarg.
Anyway, this year we added our conure, Phryne, to the mix. She was really great. She kept getting her ruff up whenever the dogs would go near her cage (we kept her locked in when she was in the living area) and would go down to the bottom, checking them out, basically showing them how tough she is and not to mess with her. And she was also pretty curious about these creatures. All in all, she did really well.
Karen's parents on the other hand are quickly going downhill. Her father fell twice and is starting to have some trouble getting around. Her mother moves with this shuffling walk about 4 inches at a time, barely lifting her feet. We have to constantly remind her to pick her feet up if she gets to carpet, she forgets how to use her cane and often has to stop for a moment to remember how to get her feet to move. Not sure how we are going to do this next year if they keep deteriorating at the rate they are now. Her mom might have to be in a wheelchair by then. We try to get her to exercise, she says she will, but then doesn't.
Well, anyway, we got through it this year. Karen's a little frazzled from having to take care of the parents so much, hopefully she got enough rest.
Glad to be back home, even if it does mean laundry and vacuuming. :-) Love to you all.