>>>>Sorry to dump on you, Mike, but honestly, you have to do it, not excuse it.
>>>>
>>>
>>>I don't think I try to excuse myself very often. I just think your one stop recipe of "Don't buy liquor" is incredibly simplistic. Yeah, technically that would do it, but if it were that easy there wouldn't be so many people struggling with their addictions.
>>>
>>>One of the great illusions about alcoholism is that all it takes is willpower to stop. Willpower is not enough. You can realize what it's doing to you and still not be able to stop.
>>
>>so, maybe it will take the power of God to help you stop? :)
>>
>>My father had the same problem as you, couldn't stop... until he made a conscience decision not to drink, no matter what. Whenever he would get the urge to drink, he would go out and do something else like jogging, walking, ride a bike or visit a friend. If you're alone when the urge comes, go see a friend or calll your sponsor quick.... anything other then giving into your drinking urge.
>
>Maybe make your lab your non-drinking buddy.

If I have to depend on Crash I'm in big trouble ;-)

The one who is emerging as the charmer of the group is last year's addition, Butch. (Who is female; blame Emily for the name). She is a puggle, i.e. mix of pug and beagle. After the fact I could tell she had chewed, destroyed, and generally eaten her way out of her previous home. Her owner being pregnant was just a cover story, I realized too late after she chewed, destroyed, etc. here. But she has personality and I have gradually warmed up to her, and she has gradually calmed down. Some. She is very involved and affectionate. And those huge sad eyes get me every time.

I got an identity card in the mail yesterday for Crash. His mug shot, which they took the last time he was at the vet's, along with his vitals. Not sure if this is part of some new tracking system for potentially terrorist dogs.