Dog bite afternoon

A while back (September 15, to be exact), Clio and I were walking past this one house where a big dog lives. In the past, the dog ("Leo") has charged us but that's all, so I wasn't too worried. This time, though, he came flying out of their backyard and made contact with Clio. The owner dragged the dog inside and we continued on our way.

I didn't think Clio had been hurt, but about a half hour later, I noticed the area around her right eye was scraped and swollen. It being Sunday, I took her to the walk-in vet clinic to be checked out. In the waiting room, I realized she also had a puncture wound in her neck. That meant this was classified as a dog bite and I had to fill out a (poorly designed) state form about it.

Later that afternoon, I visited the other dog owner to deliver the bill and to warn her that she would probably get a visit from Animal Control. The next day, I talked to Animal Control myself; they requested photos and they sent an officer to get my story (again) and to talk to the other dog owner. And I thought that was it.

But no. About a month ago, I received a subpoena. My first thought was, Did I do something wrong? It wasn't me the city was after, but the other dog owner. I don't know the series of events that led to my having to go to court as a witness, with my "evidence" in hand, but I dutifully showed up this past week. That was an interesting experience.

Apparently, all the dog bite and dog nuisance complaints are processed on the same day, probably to limit the amount of time Animal Control officers need to be in court. The hearings were a mixture of formal and informal, and mostly scripted: a reading of the charges; does the person plead "admit or deny or talk to a lawyer". Most admitted to the charges and received a fine; a few had a side discussion with the Animal Control officers, then admitted to the charges and received a fine.

I think my neighbor had already been to court but didn't admit to the charges. This time, she, the Animal Control officers, and a county sherriff all went into the hall... to do what? Negotiate? Somehow, her charges were reduced from "dog bite" to "nuisance" (really?!?) So I didn't get to testify. I'm guessing she convinced them she didn't know her invisible fence wasn't working, but now it is, etc.

She and I chatted afterwards, as she wanted to assure me that the invisible fence is now fixed. Leo is not yet full grown, will reach 200 pounds, and that is a lot of dog for an invisible fence to contain. I suggested a physical fence would be more appropriate, and today I noticed that a temporary one has been erected in their backyard.

All of which is to explain why I have only four spheres completed, not the one-a-day I had planned. At my age, it doesn't take much to be thrown off track, and a mandatory appearance in court certainly did that. Mentally, I rehearsed my testimony over and over again, and then did not even get to have my say.

So, not much to show this week. Instead, I will catch you up on some pottery purchases, made at the Michiana Pottery Tour 2024.

I like how this bowl feels in my hand

Yarn bowl

Ramen bowl

I like red, so this red mug came home with me

The four spheres I have done so far are all about a pound a piece. Next on the agenda: larger ones.

I'm back... I hope

It's been a while, longer than I realized. Somehow life intervened and clay fell to the wayside. But then we visited Cranbrook Art Museum, and I became inspired.

Toshiko Takaezu is known for her ceramics, painting, and weaving, but mostly the former. The exhibit included the usual cups, plates, and teapots, but then expanded to double spouted teapots, connected vases, and closed forms, evolving eventually to lifesize beings.

It was the closed forms that captured my imaginations.

My attempts to make mugs, bowls, etc. take wabi sabi to a new level - they always look amateurish. But closed forms don't need to be smooth and perfect. Or even round.

I'm working on my own collection of closed forms, starting with these spheres, which use about one pound of clay each. What happens to them after bisqueing is to be determined. Right now, I am perfecting techniques. Even if all I do with them is scatter them around the yard, they will be perfect.

Right now I don't have a very good place to work. The garage is too cold, so it will have to be the laundry room for the time being. I contemplated returning to the Build Guild, but I really like having everything close at hand. My short term goal is a form a day. We'll see how that works out.