long night

i think i fell asleep before midnight but found myself awake just after 3am and emptied the bladder and moved to the couch... i was sleeping in the recliner because i am sleeping in the living room with happiness tonight because he is breaking his skin and has a hole in his leg from his scratching and nipping himself due to his skin allergies... it happens at least once a year and this is the season... probably the change in temperatures combined with pollen and also the change in environment... he's got very sensitive skin and ears... yesterday it rained all afternoon and evening s he got wet and that does not help his skin... and the sandy grounds outside does not help the carpet...

so anyway, i laid on the couch but he woke a couple of times and i had to stop him from scratching and nipping and i was not finding myself falling back into sleep so here we are... i gave him a benadryl last night, but it only helps so much... he hasn't been drinking as much water the past couple of days, which is not good for him... he usually has to wear a head cone about this time of year because of his scratching and nipping his skin and he is inching toward needing one again... that's a sad experience all around, so i am trying to help him avoid it but that means constant supervision... much like a small child... having a dog, especially an older dog with more needs than the average dog, definitely alters a lifestyle... all in all, this has been his night...

i must do some laundry and find the clothes (unpack more) i need for the softball tournament that we leave for in twelve hours... but i'll wait until he wakes up (sunrise is less than an hour and he'll be up wanting food and walking)... i definitely am not doing the sleep and exercise and self-care i need to do lately and his needs definitely become the best excuse... partly excuse, but do not want him to hurt himself...