YOU CAN EAT ON THE CHEAP; OR NOT

There are a lot of places to eat in Pahrump and some of those are very affordable, which helps a lot in this economy. No matter what your budget is, if you want to get out to dinner here, there is a place for you.

The Gold Miner's Buffet at the Pahrump Nugget Casino is probably the best deal in town with their 2-for-1 deal Saturday through Thursday each week. Two adults can eat for under $12 making it the best value I've seen anywhere, in a long time. The food isn't bad either, with prime rib on the carving station nearly every night and some "themed" entrees (Mexican, Italian, Asian, etc) for each night of the week. Friday is their seafood night but they don't offer the 2-for-1 on Friday and the price per person is considerably higher, though they serve hot and cold crab along with tasty shrimp, among other items you'd expect on a seafood buffet. Saturday and Sunday mornings offer a breakfast buffet for under $10 and if all you want is to "eat-out" with the family-from-out-of-town then it's a good deal.

The Nugget also has a coffee shop, The Golden Harvest Cafe, but with a limited new menu and slightly higher prices coming into the late Summer than they had back in the Spring. I used to love going in for the Breakfast Special for under $4.00 on Saturday mornings but that's no longer available and now the equivalent meal is called "Eggs Your Way" priced at $5.49 (still a great value). For dinner, however, I'm unimpressed. The food is mediocre at best and will cost a couple around-about $40+. There are far better choices for dinner in Pahrump in that price-range.

Not wanting to leave out any dining class here, the Nugget also boasts a fine-dining steak house in Stockman's Steakhouse, with some nights featuring local talent on the piano. The steaks are pretty good and the service is nice and the experience nearly worth the $80-$100 check for a couple out for a nice evening, but there are far better options for date-night in Pahrump in that price range.

The company that owns the Pahrump Nugget, Golden Gaming, recently bought two other Pahrump casino's from the Terrible's organization, naming them Gold Town Casino (across the street from the Nugget) and Lakeside Casino and RV Resort (on the South end of town). Both of these casinos also offer buffets but the variety leave a lot to be desired and the prices are not even close to competitive to the Nugget. The few times I've eaten at the restaurants at either of these casinos, I've opted for menu items instead of the buffet and I've not been disappointed in the quality or volume of food on the plate for the price. A couple can dine at one of these for under $30 and be "satisfied" they had a decent dinner.

Denny's came to Pahrump a couple years ago and, while I've been suspicious that they wouldn't stick around due to the economy, I'm surprised to see they're still here. I haven't been there for breakfast, yet, however their dinner's are decent for the price. A couple out can expect to pay $30 to $50 depending on what's ordered. I've been in there some nights and had a great experience and other nights swearing I'll never go back, so getting a tasty meal without incident is a roll-of-the-dice. Of course, if you like to gamble...

If you like the "Italian experience" then Carmelo's Italian Bistro could be the choice for you. While being family owned and operated, however, there is a clearly visible power-struggle going on that seriously detracts from having an enjoyable experience (you can even see the power struggle on Facebook, where they have TWO pages instead of the usual ONE. Certainly no organization in this place). The chef (Carmelo Blundo) is insistent that quality is most important and strives to put out good food (he really IS a great chef), but the younger generation that controls the operation is more interested in the $$ part of the business and it significantly hurts the quality aspect of the restaurant. Too bad, too, because the food really is great. If they'd just get the crappy service and cheap accessories out of the place and serve bigger portions, they'd have a winner. Despite advertising $10 to $30, expect to pay $40 to $50 for a night out with your date, and not worth it.

If you prefer an Asian experience at a great price, I have to recommend the China Wok buffet. Tucked behind our Walmart, on Dahlia St, is this wonderful little restaurant that serves really great food and a couple can dine there for under $25. I eat there 2 or 3 times per month and enjoy it every time. The staff is very friendly and keep on their toes to make sure you have what you need. Family owned and operated, this place has it going on. They've certainly got the business sense to be successful in Pahrump and you won't be disappointed.

Keoki's Wings N Things is a local sports bar and restaurant that knows how to please customers. Located on Loop Rd, across from the new Goodwill location (used to be Floyd's Ace Hardware), the food is excellent and they don't skimp on quantity. You can have a really enjoyable dinner and watch the game (whatever game that happens to be the night you're there) and get out under $50 having filled up on an appetizer, plate of wings and your favorite beer (or wine). I've been in there a few times already and love it. They serve a variety of options for your wings as well as a number of different menu items for those who don't care for wings (really, though, who doesn't like wings?). The service is wonderful and it also shows. They take great care of their customers and earn their tips. If you're looking for a great dinner on a non-formal date-night, this is the place.

Pahrump is an up-and-coming community with new stores/restaurants popping up frequently with most not lasting even 6 months because the owner's didn't know about this town's quirky nature. For example, the Yoshi Sushi cafe on highway 160 across the from the Saddle West. The sushi was good, but the prices were far more than the typical Pahrumpian was willing to pay for the quantity of food served. The owner boasted of having a very successful sushi restaurant in Manhattan and decided the slower pace of a small town was more likable than retiring altogether. Seriously, though, any smart entrepreneur would have researched the community before trying such a disastrous idea here. Quizno's was in that location for about a year before Yoshi's and they decided to pull out due to lack of sales. Heck, if Quizno's can't survive, what makes Yoshi think he can? Now in that location is Gem's BBQ, having relocated from the Calvada / PV Blvd crossing. Unfortunately, they might not last either since they also skimp on portions and charge a high price. Their food is good and they have the opportunity to succeed but I don't see it happening at the prices and portions they have now.

Speaking of new places opening here with seemingly clueless owner's, the new Tropical Smoothie Cafe just opened yesterday on Highway 372, across from the KFC, with much fanfare and hype. While the fanfare and hype are OK, they also thought it was necessary to offer free smoothies for their first 24 hours. I'm not complaining about getting a free smoothie, but realistically, when a new place opens here in Pahrump, the last thing you need to do is give anything away. Everyone in town will visit you on opening day and a smart restaurant owner/manager would certainly know that if they knew anything about this town. They were totally overrun for the entire day and I'm surprised the teenage staff members were still smiling after 4pm. I got their "Rockin' Raspberry" low-fat smoothie which I thoroughly enjoyed while my friend got the "Hawaiian Breeze" low-fat smoothie that she said had a "chemical aftertaste to it, perhaps from the machines still being new". I didn't want to try it. I also ordered some sandwiches, since it would be irresponsible of me to review the place without trying the food. My friend ordered the "Baja Chicken" flatbread, which looked pretty good for the price, under $5. I ordered the "Wasabi Caesar Roast Beef" sandwich and was very disappointed in that it cost $7 and didn't look anything like the picture (see below). It had hardly any roast beef in it, but tasted good otherwise. This TSC will be a great place for a smoothie, they also serve "supercharged" (energetic) versions, at a good price but won't be on my list of places to visit for lunch or dinner again.

What I ordered: What I got: <

Finally, for those of you interested in a fine dining experience to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or just to impress your date, there are two fantastic places here I highly recommend:

The Symphony's Restaurant at the Pahrump Winery is a classy restaurant that I would expect to pay a lot more than I have for dinner. The food is phenomenal and the service impeccable but the prices are reasonable for the experience. Hidden away just up the hill on Winery Rd on the South side of town, this place is the perfect place if you want to take your date out for an elegant dining experience. The wine is awesome, as well, as should be expected. Dinner for two, with wine and an appetizer will run $80 to $100 before tipping but you can't complain about the price when you consider how great the food and service are and you won't regret it. I also had my Thanksgiving dinner there last year (and plan to go there again this year) and I was pleasantly surprised to find it actually cost LESS than a normal night out. The special dinner for two was less than $80 and featured a five-course meal with wine. Make your reservations early, though, since seating is limited and the place is popular.

You wouldn't know that the Ohjah Japanese Steakhouse and Hibachi restaurant was a chain store, since they make your dining experience unique and enjoyable. I've been in for the hibachi a few times and enjoy it every time, with the Hibachi Combo menu option the best value in the place. You and your date can dine for $80 to $100 depending on your drink and appetizer choices (and it's worth every penny). They also serve sushi, and it's as good as any I've ever had. I recommend the hibachi for dinner because you just can't beat "dinner and a show" for under a hundred bucks. The chef cooks at your table and if you're lucky, like I've been, you'll be seated with some of Pahrump's most notable celebs (I had the pleasure of sharing a table with Mr. Kent "Tim" Hafen, a prominent land and business owner that makes Pahrump what it is). Brilliantly located in the Albertson's shopping center at Basin Rd and Highway 160.

There are many, many more places to get a great meal in Pahrump at the price you're looking to pay but this post has gone on too long already. As time goes, I'll probably post individual reviews of my experiences to help keep the recommendations fresh. Coming up soon I'll be posting "Just How Many Pizza Places Do We Need???" and provide my reviews of all those pizza restaurants in Pahrump that serve up my favorite dish. =:^)

TIME TO GET BACK TO THE BLOG

It's been a while since I last posted here... so it's about time for an update. Since my last post I got back into school, attending the Great Basin College - Pahrump Valley Center. Most of the classes I've been taking are online and I gotta tell you, I just love this method of education. We didn't have the internet back when I went to college in the 1980's.

Back in late 2011, President Obama signed an education for veterans package called the VOW to Hire Heroes Act 2011 - Veteran's Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) that went into effect in July 2012. Obama's theory was that unemployed military veterans with an honorable discharge, like myself, were having difficulty in competing for jobs because of a lack of necessary, contemporary education. So the plan was to offer those veterans between the ages of 35 to 60, who've been unemployed for more than 3 years (at the time of sign-up), 12 months of active duty benefits to be used towards a college degree in a high-demand field of study. The VRAP benefits are paid through the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program and pay only during the months of actual study (so for example, if each semester is ~3 months then the program essentially pays for 4 semesters of study, or a 2-year degree program if taking 5 classes per semester). The money is paid directly to the veteran to be used for tuition, books, school supplies and living essentials.

I learned about the program shortly after writing my last blog post in May 2012 and immediately jumped onto the program. I didn't agree with Obama's assessment of why I was unemployed (lack of education) because I did have some college back in the 1980's, albeit obsolete in the field I work in (computers were completely different back then). I do agree that having a more contemporary education makes me much more competitive in the job market, but my viewpoint is there has to be jobs available to compete for. I will admit that while I'm pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree with emphasis on Information Specialist, the economy does appear to be getting better and jobs are starting to reappear. I chose to take 4 classes per semester, making my program a 5-semester schedule. I was also able to get help with a Pell Grant due to my financial situation which helps to insure my completing the degree by the end of 2014.

I got really busy with the preparation for my Fall 2012 semester and focused all my attention to that, since it'd been almost 30 years since I last attended any college. The Winter break was short but also busy for me as I prepared for the holidays and the subsequent Spring semester. I've managed to maintain an overall 3.80 cumulative GPA over the two semesters (3.68 in the Fall 2012 and 3.92 in the Spring 2013) and made the college Dean's List each semester. I stayed busy this past Summer, picking up a part-time job working as a caregiver for two patients in the afternoons, 7 days per week (I spend about an hour with each of the senior citizens, cooking dinner and cleaning up after). They're also veterans so I can relate to them and see what I might have to look forward to (or avoid) with regards to my potential health in about 30 years from now. This actually helps me to stay committed to this education so that I can better prepare for my financial future.

I'm now completely prepared for this coming Fall semester and in "waiting mode" for it to begin later this month. Attending online classes from home has proven to be a challenge but is certainly much easier than taking classes on campus. With online classes, I can participate as time permits and work on assignments when it's most convenient. The downside is there are always distractions here that can sometimes get in the way of study time. My dogs want in and out of the house constantly, among other things. I've found that getting out a couple times per week to study at the library or one of the local coffee shops with free WiFi helps significantly. Here in Pahrump, Irene's Off-160 Coffee House is my favorite hotspot because the atmosphere is perfect for studying, the WiFi is always reliable and they make affordable, delicious coffee and offer other great concoctions and pastries. Irene, the owner (a very sweet and very attractive young lady) is almost always there and she is committed to her customers satisfaction. On most evenings after 6pm they have live entertainment with local musician's, comedians and poetry.

I'm looking forward to my 3rd semester this Fall and I'm already planning my next two or three blog posts. I feel that, now that I'm in a comfortable routine with my educational program, I should be able to commit enough time to keep things more current with the blog here. With my financial help and ability to get out more, I've been able to explore some of the better dining options here in Pahrump and plan to write about that next, so keep an eye out for my attempt at being a food-critic next. =:^)

REFLECTIONS OF MY PAST

I've been listening to a lot of classic rock from the 70's and 80's lately on iTunes and Spotify. I grew up with the music of Boston, Journey, Van Halen, Steely Dan, Kansas and Foreigner. I also reminisced while listening to Styx, Air Supply, Supertramp and Jefferson Starship. All the great memories I've been sorting over this week and not all of them pleasant. Even Madonna's music had an impact on me through the last century.

As I got older, I listened more to Alternative Rock by artists like Collective Soul, Better Than Ezra, Evanescence, Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty and Nirvana (among so many others).

As life moved forward for me there were happy times, exciting times, lonely times and times of sorrow. I accomplished things and I messed things up. As long as I can remember there have been people who hurt me, emotionally and physically and there have been people I've hurt. Many cases because of immaturity or ignorance.

The most important thing I've learned from all these experiences is that I've learned from all these experiences. I've learned to be more patient with others. I've learned to hesitate before I act and I act more rationally in situations that used to get me flustered and excited unnecessarily. I still make mistakes and I still do things I look back on and wish I hadn't done but then.... don't we all?

Click Image for Large View: 

I really love the music of the 70's, 80's and 90's. It reminds me of the people that have crossed my path in life that made a difference in who I am and taught me lessons I needed to learn. Some of these people I fell in love with, some I hated and some didn't care much for me at all. Some of those people loved me and I was too blind to see it, though it's a lot clearer now (and too late). There are so many things I wish I had done and so many I wish I hadn't done but for the sake of those people who touched my life and made me who I am, if I had the chance to go back and do it all again I would probably do it all the same way. Well, perhaps I'd change just a few things. =:^)

PLEASE SLOW DOWN!!!

Recently, the subject of speed limits along Highway 160 through town has made it's way into discussions among Pahrumpians on Facebook and the comment sections of traffic-related accidents in the Pahrump Valley Times. Most of the comments are from people that apparently support the idea of increasing the speed limit from 35mph through town to 45+. One comment suggested that raising the speed limit to 45 would only result in drivers, who already exceed the posted speed limit, will simply drive that much faster and I tend to agree with that speculation.

Many drivers around Pahrump completely ignore and far exceed the speed limits all over town, even in school zones and it disgusts me to see. Accidents abound in this town and greatly outnumber the common ratio found in other small towns across America. Just this year alone we lost 2 local citizens in fatal traffic accidents including the high-profile case involving a detention center employee last week. This past week a motorcyclist was critically injured when he was struck by a car. Late last year a motorcyclist was killed riding through the intersection at Highway 160 and Basin during the Fall Festival because the driver that hit him "didn't see him" when they turned left in front of him.

And not all of these accidents are being caused by elderly drivers. During the holiday season last December, I witnessed a newer model pickup truck traveling at about 60mph South on Homestead Rd approaching the Lakeside casino and the driver was in such a hurry decided to dangerously pass three cars in a single pass as he crossed the intersection of Homestead and Thousandaire. It was insane! Had someone been exiting the parking lot at Lakeside, the convenience store/gas station or simply crossing the intersection there would have been a fatal accident for certain. The driver apparently didn't care that his construction business placard was on the side of the truck so I know who it was. Obviously he knew he could get away with driving recklessly in this town or he would have removed the placard.

What we need is the local Sheriff's department and local division of the Nevada State Patrol to enforce the speed limits already in place and not just along Highway 160. I also believe our county should consider more automated signals in those critical intersections where accidents seem to happen every week.

I walk a lot around the center of town on the weekends, it's great exercise and saves on gas, not to mention the reduced risk of being a victim in a car accident however I'm afraid of the way people drive and I'm wondering how long before I'll have to dive for my life to avoid someone that thinks they're invincible and immune from having an accident while in a rush to get no-where fast.

Don't raise the speed limits, enforce the limits we have. Make the people of this town aware that they either abide by the law and think about the safety of our citizens, including our children, or pay a hefty fine until they do. And for you ignorant, simple-minded, inconsiderate drivers that think you'll never be involved in an accident that involves serious injury or death PLEASE SLOW DOWN!!!

The Weather Is Perfect Here This Time Of Year

Spring and Fall are definitely the best seasons of the year and here in Southern Nevada, that's no exeception with clear skies and temperatures in the mid- to upper-80's. At night it cools to the low-50's and if the wind is light it's nice. It does get pretty windy here in the Pahrump valley though. Last week we had gusts upwards of 40mph and that's not unusual for this time of year.

Even the most prolific desert weed, the Tumbleweed, takes advantage of the windy Southwest. That's where they get their common name from. They're not actually indigenous to North America, having been unintentionally imported from the Ukraine. In early Fall they grow large and green. Very annoying and seriously prolific. They're not difficult to uproot but once uprooted they spread terribly when the plant dies and turns to it's familiar brownish tan color. As they "tumble" around in the heavy winds, seeds fall off and, if in the right conditions, will be set for the next season. Rain is not frequent here but when it does the dirt turns to puddles of quick-sand-like mud and the seeds sink in and germinate. They take advantage of the water and grow quickly.

Most geologists speculate that the infamous "Sailing Stones" of Death Valley are moved by the heavy winds when the ground is wet and muddy though there are many theories about how they make those long tracks in the hottest part of the U.S. but then crazy theories about a lot things abound here in the Southwest.

The weather for the most part though, is perfect this time of year. Every now and then a Pacific storm blows cold wind and icy rain but only once or twice in any Spring season. That's different from the Gulf storms that come in from the Southeast during the Fall season. We get a lot more rain and humidity in the Fall but those storms are warm and muggy since they're coming in from the Gulf region.

It won't be long for the heat to set in. We commonly see triple-digit temperatures begin in mid-May to early June. Last year the hot season was late with 100°+ temps starting in mid-June, which is rare for the hot season to start so late into the year. This year it appears that we'll see the century mark in mid-May like normal. In July and August temperatures will average 110° to 115° during the day and drop to a comfy mid-70's to low 80's at night. I don't really care much for the hot, daytime temperatures during the Summer but the Spring and Fall makes up for it. People are most active at night during the Summer months. Sporting events such as little-league baseball and soccer are generally played after sunset when the temps are more comfortable.

Originally from the SF Bay area in California, I've lived in the desert since 1989, first in the Phoenix, Arizona area for 15 years, where the night temps during the Summer don't fall off much from the day temps of 120°, and then here in the Southern Nevada region since 2003. I love the desert because, except for the summer heat, the weather is generally close to perfect year-round.

If you have plans to visit the Southern Nevada area, May is the best time to do it. And while you're out here, don't forget to check out some of the other great things our high-desert has to offer. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and Death Valley National Park are awesome, natural wonders that are must-see for those visiting the Southern Nevada desert. About 25 minutes to the Southeast of Las Vegas is the Hoover Dam and in Northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is about a day's drive.

I'm off now, going out to enjoy the weather! =:^)

Racism is alive in Pahrump!

I was deeply saddened when I heard about the little boy that died last week here in Pahrump. My own kids go to Floyd Elementary but didn't really know the kindergartener who died from complications associated with an asthma attack. My deepest condolences to the family through this difficult time. It's heartbreaking to lose a child and I hope I never have to go through what they must be dealing with right now.

One of our local, community advocates came forward to help raise money for the child's funeral expenses. This isn't the first time that Stephanie Lopez, founder of the hugely popular Facebook page "Positive Pahrump" has stepped forward to help someone in crisis here in Pahrump. Most recently she organized an ongoing joint effort with the local school district to educate school children about the negative side of bullying. She also organized a drive for Easter Baskets to collect and donate to less fortunate children. Last year Stephanie organized a failed recall against Nye County Assessor Shirley Matson who made some racial accusations about construction workers and while it was failed it drew a lot of attention in the community about racism here.

And so I was shocked when I read the first reader "comment" in the Pahrump Valley Times news article about the unfortunate incident regarding the child. Deborah wrote "Boy, it sure would be nice if this kind of compassion was extended to legal citizens and children here in the Valley and not always and ONLY supportive of non English speakers."

WHY do people here automatically assume that a non-English speaking poor family here is not legally in the U.S. ? This is clear and ugly racism.

Deborah then wrote "Once again Positive Pahrump ONLY supports who it deems politically correct." First, of course Positive Pahrump (PP) only supports who it deems politically correct and I would like to point out that, in my opinion, anything that is honorably charitable is politically correct. Second, Deborah seems to be suggesting that PP only supports causes that involve the Hispanic community, which if you followed PP on Facebook you'd know is completely untrue and unfair to accuse.

How many other people in our community feel the way that Deborah does? Why do you believe anyone here of Hispanic descent must be here illegally? How can people so blindly assume negative things about a group of people just because of their race? I am just appalled and embarrassed. I think you must be severely lacking in education, Deborah, because I can't imagine any other reason for your racial comments.

A local, less fortunate family here in Pahrump tragically lost a little boy last week. My heart goes out to them, Hispanic or otherwise. I applaud Stephanie for stepping up to unite the community to help those in need. You just keep doing what you do. =:^)

Update: The Pahrump Valley Times has removed the racial comment and replies to such.

Pets Are Family, Too

In 2008, when the financial crash dealt a heavy blow to so many Americans, my friend Dan was no exception. He had bought a house down the street from me just a couple years before but after being laid off from work had to let the bank foreclose and he moved to the next street, into a trailer on a piece of property owned by a guy that had multiple rentals and a large, steel building on his 2 1/2 acres. When his wife was also laid off work his situation clearly became more strained and he moved once again into a small house next door to mine. He had an arrangement with that owner to "fix up" the property in exchange for his rent, while searching for work. Within about six months he and his wife both found good, steady jobs and had to move across town into a small apartment, where they couldn't bring their 10-year old Boxer, Chance, since pets were not allowed there.

Chance

Dan asked me if I would adopt Chance since I also have a large piece of property for him to run. At the time my Beagle, Scooter, was only about year old and loved that he had another dog to play with, even if he was a senior. Shortly thereafter, I also adopted a small Terrier puppy and other dogs over the past couple years... but this story is about Chance.

Even at his age Chance loved to run and jump a lot. He actually thought he was still a puppy. It was funny watching him try to curl up in Scooter's puppy bed, which was barely big enough for Scooter anymore. Chance would curl his big butt onto the puppy bed and the rest of him wasn't even close but he thought he fit snugly.

Chance was the most well-behaved dog I've ever had. He'd obviously been trained well and by a professional. He would come when called, sit when told and do everything else you would expect on command.

Scooter, still a puppy and not neutered at the time, would dig his way under the fence and wander the next street over and Chance was a follower. Scooter never went far and always came back soon. Chance, however, would find his way back to that property with the steel building to lay on the cool concrete floor in the shade. I had to go pick him up a few times before I finally secured the fencing and decided that Scooter couldn't be left unchained in the yard when I was gone. Chance liked to hang out with Scooter so if Scooter was chained then Chance wouldn't take off.

Scooter when he was about a year old

At first, Dan came by a few times to see Chance and that always made Chance really happy. He'd get excited and jump around. Eventually, Dan said it was too hard for him emotionally to visit because he missed his dog so much.

It didn't take very long for Chance to make himself part of the family here. I've recently joked about how I've got a dog in every size category: my rescued long-haired Chihuahua Dolce fits the "toy" category, Sweetie is a rescued Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix that fits the "small" category, Jojo is my medium-sized "Terrier-mixed-with-something" (too timid to let me take his picture with the other dogs), Scooter is a Beagle fitting the "big" category and Chance, a Boxer, the "large" category. It was ruff, er, rough taking care of 5 dogs, along with my 3 cats (2 rescues), my rabbits (once 4 but now only 2) and a pen full of chickens out back.

Scooter, Sweetie and Dolce

Chance did have a jealousy at times. Whenever any of the other dogs got "loving attention" he would moan and grump, "what about me?" while wagging his stumpy tail. He was very tolerant of the other dogs, too. He never showed any kind of anger and he never snapped or barked at them. Scooter and Peanut (rip) would play and jump using Chance as an obstacle and Chance would just lay there like nothing was going on. Now it's Scooter and Dolce using Chance as a barrier for play. If one of the dogs nosed his/her way into the bowl Chance was eating from, no problem, he would just move to a different dish and continue eating.

Chance had a bit of an arthritic condition with his hind-legs and an inexpensive, over-the-counter supplement helped greatly and you'd hardly noticed he had any problems at all. Chance has been here nearly 3 years and has been doing very well until just recently. A few months ago he started losing weight and quit running and jumping. He showed difficulties walking and over the past few weeks displayed symptoms of dementia. He would turn circles in the living room like he was getting ready to lay down but then would end up staring into the wall or the side of the entertainment center. He often wavered about, confused about where he was or what he wanted to do. He'd go to the front door and ring the bell hanging from the handle (the bigger dogs use it to signal when they need to "go") and we'd let him out but then he'd stand on the front porch for a minute or two and scratch at the door to come back in (apparently he forgot why he went out). Then, a few minutes later he would do it all again. He's recently had some difficult nights, wandering around the house crying as if in some pain.

I've kept Dan up-to-date on Chance's condition but this past week he decided that perhaps it was time to do something for him. When he came by today with his wife, Chance was ecstatic. He walked over to them and was shaking all over, happy-crying to see them, making that "give me attention" moan. I kept his harness and gave him a big hug before Dan lifted him into his truck. He's taking him to get "checked out" and possibly put-down, depending on the outlook of his condition but it's a high probability that Chance won't be back. Interesting considering his name. He still thinks he's a puppy, too.

I am going to miss him. A lot. He was part of this family. I loved him. =:^(