Critters, Horses, and Smell

All of the dogs and cats are absolutely fabulous today - the sky is a bright blue and the sun is out. Finn was super about handing over the newspaper, and accepting WallyGator in it's stead. The local pack of coyotes set off the little terrier next door about 11:30 last night; that set Finn off. But he was a wonderful man during the night, otherwise. I'm taking the kits back home today so they can become reacquainted with our small home, and enjoy getting outside again. Tomorrow is my nephew's 29th birthday, and we're all going out for supper to celebrate.

Saturday is "the Big 'Cap" - the Santa Anita Handicap. A field of 11 horses has been entered, with Jenny Craig's Twirling Candy the favorite and high-weight (at 122). Candy will break from post position 5; I'm leaning towards Spurrier, who carries 115 pounds, and will break from the # 2 spot. ... Last Sunday's Canadian Turf Stakes at Gulfstream was won by Little Mike; Nicanor was fifth and Twilight Meteor was seventh. ... The Epsom Derby will be run on June 4 this year, and currently has 125 horses nominated to run. The early favorite is a colt named after one of the US' top trainers - Frankel. ... And jockey Eibar Coa had a second surgery on his wrist, following his horrible spill that broke his C4 vertebrae. Eibar has feeling and movement in all of his extremities, and his family and he are very optimistic regarding his recovery.

And I finally found out the medical term for the loss of the sense of smell - it's anosmia. I am an anosmic. The sense of smell can be lost in several ways - mine comes from brain damage from a few too many concussions, as well as chronic sinus infections.... At least I can now name the correct term. (And if you have difficulty in finding wide-sized shoes to fit your feet, I recommend visiting http://www.shoebuy.com - they have given me superb service! And my feet are shaped like a duck's!)