Flailing in the Shallows
Oh, there’s something between us, Mommy, I can’t get to you! her eyes tell me. I try, but the waves keep coming to get me, and the sand grabs at my feet. But I love you too much not to be with you, so here I come! Stepping, then jumping then paddling then splashing the water […]
Get Off the Couch!
Ever been chased by an angry dog while you’re riding your bike? Me too. People will tell you how to handle this. Most of them say… get off your bike and walk, keeping the bike between you and the dog. Keep your eye on the dog, but don’t make direct eye contact. He’ll consider that a […]
What Lily Knows
Buddy the bad and Lily the Good start out the day that way. Bud scampers off to find something to chew Lil stays put where I tell her to stay. “It’s way too quiet,” I say to Lil, Which means for sure that Bud’s up to no good. A flop of Lil’s tail tells me […]
What is life? Any puppy can show you
Are you alive? How can you tell? Frederic Martini, the author of my Anatomy and Physiology textbook, says that, “though the world around us contains an enormous diversity of living organisms that vary widely in appearance and lifestyle … biologists have found that all living things share certain basic characteristics.” These include: Responsiveness Growth and […]
A Bowl of Cold Water
Our husky is old and on his last legs. Well, 3 of those legs. The fourth doesn’t work well any more. In fact, it’s more hindrance than help. His poor arthritic hip rotates in and, in his attempts at ambulation, takes him far afield. What used to be a straight line sees him 90 degrees off […]
I’m out of resolve
What a great name for a product, Resolve. It’s what I use on my carpets when my dog makes a mess. We have it in wide spray for “high traffic areas” and point and shoot for those smaller spots. Unfortunately, today there was much need for resolve and there wasn’t enough left in the can. […]
An exercise in humility
Bending awkwardly to lower the bowl full of water to my elderly husky, I wait while he takes his time. Lapping aimlessly. I am off balance and teetering, wishing he would just hurry up and get his drink. I steady myself to square the offering of bowl and water and to wait. This is the […]
What dogs know
Dogs circle and circle. slowing, sinking lower and lower, centering, until they find their perfect place. Rest. Could dogs be trying to teach us something?
Dear Rosy, I give you back to the Love from which you came
Everybody does it. Taking a break is part of life. Perhaps part of the human condition. Time away is rest, relief, recovery. But getting started again, now that’s the hard part. Because time off changes you. Especially when the break is final. On June 11th I said goodbye to Rosy, my sweet golden companion of […]
Don’t let them leave without saying goodbye
My dear old Rosy is nearing the end. I can tell. She hardly eats or drinks. She can stand with help. She teeters when she walks, those decrepit hips barely balanced, as she lists to one side. Once she gets going she can still navigate the wonderful ramp my husband built for her. But the […]
