Replacing bald tires, keeping to a maintenance schedule, and a little scrubbing of the upholstery are the routines that keeps an old, unremarkable, clanking machine road-worthy. My car seems to be chugging along better now with a recent repair, but with nearly 200,000 miles (321.8 thousand km) on the odometer, it is feeling the road and its age. But I cannot seem to part with it. I once had two other cars and a truck that were paid for, well-broken in, and when borrowed by my children over the years, were left fit only to be sold for scrap. This particular car was what I drove when my last car I purchased new, when finally paid off, was totaled in a rear-end crash. Sometimes you just cannot own nice things without catastrophe something to worry about. After two years of commuting, I bought a newer gently-used car for commuting instead. With all the miles I have been driving, I am looking forward to retiring. Drive Uber or Lyft!? I don’t want to drive any more than absolutely necessary. 
Taking a well- earned day off, I got Comet and Dexter out in the little car to Mission Trails park for an early- morning stroll. Which is easier said than done with these two. One “drinks deep the aroma of morning” – he sniffs everything along this popular dog- walking route. Comet waters. I pick up their leavings ( in little green doggie-bags).
Until the middle of August, the little dog-car sat in front of my home, not neglected but I did receive a couple of cards under the windshield wiper about someone willing to buy it. I have washed it and driven it around the block a few times. Now with a few new parts that fixed the “Service Engine Soon” lamp, it was off to the park today. I was not going to push my luck with going too far — I had already driven it a hundred fifty miles this week after getting a note from my mechanic, “your rear tire tread is separating. Get tires soon.”
One task today before I took the Ford to get new tires, was to scrub it out a little bit. Clean the upholstery, use a little Armor-All, and spray a little Febreeze deodorizer around. I may use this car to take the guys to the park and such, but I don’t believe everyone enjoys the aroma of “dog” or dog hair on your clothes.
At least, I do not have to worry about anyone wanting to steal my car. There are few thieves that discriminating.
It's a Dog's Life 