There’s a school of thought similar to people hire themselves, which is at least some dog owners choose their dogs since they resemble themselves.

I hope this isn’t true since I own three dogs, all mixed breeds.  They don’t resemble each other; and I hope they don’t resemble me either, but since there are pictures of all of us on this blog – you be the judge.

However – this weekend one of my dogs (Rico) and I both have respiratory infections.

Thursday night he came down with “infectious tracheobronchitis,” formerly known as “kennel cough.”

If your dogs have never had this, lucky you.  Infectious tracheobronchitis is really loud. Rico has a mild case which still entails many dry hacking coughs sometimes followed by dry heaves; and - oh yes - honking sounds.  During the day.  And throughout the night. 

Who needs sleep?

The only reason I know his is a mild case is he is energetic and – take your pick – as mischievious/troublemaking as ever.   Just today he’s streaked across the house carrying rolls of toilet paper; one of my shoes; and one of the other dog’s beds.

His veterinarian suggested I give him 1 tablespoon of Robitussen DM two times a day.  For the first dose, I mixed it into a some left over clam chowder.   While he loves clam chowder, he’s no fool; once he tasted the Robitussen in it, he high tailed it away, hacking and honking as he fled.

Now twice a day he now gets his Robitussen spooned into his mouth. I had to up the dossage since delivered that way, more than a little of the Robitussen ends up on me. 

Which, as things turn out, is fortuitous, since I woke up this morning with a surprise cold – complete with a dry hacking cough.

Maybe he and I look – or are – more alike than I first realized…