Revenge of the Pit Bulls

The pit pulls, though now gone, have left behind a huge number of fleas, all lodged in the carpets. When fleas don't have their usual hosts around they settle for what's available to them. In the case of 50 Duffield Street, that means human beings.

Self Modulating Condensing Wallhung Boilers

I've never shopped for boilers before, but find it surprisingly interesting. I am leaning towards three of the Baxi Luna HT 380's. They are highly efficient, provide on demand heat and hot water, and don't emit as much CO2. Plus, you can squeeze them in a closet so they don't take up much space.

http://www.wallhungboilers.com/prod_baxi_condensing_380.html

Turtles in the Bathroom

I found two very hungry turtles in a bathroom at 50 Duffield Street today. After frantically Googling "turtle food," I called the seller's son, who said, "Oops. I forgot to take my turtles." The turtles have now been fed dried shrimp and are with their long lost caretaker. At this point, if I open a closet door and find a sloth hanging, I won't be too alarmed.

RIP Pit Bulls #2 and #3

Sadly, the other two dogs belonging the seller's son were taken to a "kill" shelter yesterday. Perhaps it's for the best. One of the dogs has cancer, and they are both not likely to be adopted. The owner's son can now start his life over, and will have more housing options available to him.

The house renovations can start in earnest now that the people and dogs are gone. We are now 2 1/2 months behind schedule, but I'm relieved a huge legal mess with the seller was narrowly averted, thanks to their vacating the house. Better late than never, I say.

Really Old "BEFORE" Shot

Here is a photo of 50 Duffield that dates back to between 1936 and 1938. The seller's husband turned the stoop sideways in order to discourage people from sitting on it. I suppose that was a perpetual problem, because you can see three men sitting on the stoop. Also, the tree in front of the house was not yet planted. You can see how stark the street looks without the tree.

RIP Patrick the Pit Bull

Poor Patrick, the older pit bull of the seller's son, was judged too aggressive to be put up for adoption. He was euthanized yesterday. At 10 years old, I suppose he lived a reasonably long life. There are two remaining dogs in the house, but the humans are all gone. The seller's son, now distraught over Patrick, comes to the house to feed the two remaining dogs and promises that they will be gone by Friday.