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The road back from Cuyahoga County was somewhat less grueling than I had feared, included an utterly amazing Iowa sunset Saturday night.

It was, however, somewhat shrouded in gloom as we got a phone call Thursday night that the neighbors had 'forgotten' to tend to the animals...who were left alone, unfed and unwatered, in the house for a week.

Hysterics, tears, anger, chaos all ensued, with the two dogs ending up at a 24-hour vet facility, and Cassie in critical condition. Blood work numbers all over the map, acute dehydration, etc. Doc said when the dog came in she looked half-dead. Bagoas, amazingly, was healthy. Cats appeared to be okay, Swasey being little more than very pissed off, and Smudge apparently (and thankfully) oblivious.

Seriously bad miss on the neighbors' parts - they are absolutely fired from any further pet sitting, and probably some beyond that.

Finished two stories while out there, pieces on Big Head Todd and Paper Bird. Pitched quickly on a Bill Frisell piece for next week, and a BM piece on Jamie Janover approaching.

More on the music stuff shortly.