Sunday evening
If sounds came with this blog you would hear one dog
squeaking a Kong football, one chasing a Kong squeaking tire, and the other one
breathing so hard trying to keep up with the other two. My little 1040 square
feet bungalow is filled with two working guide dogs and one retired guide dog.
They are exceptionally good dogs, but I closed off half the house so they are
living in 520 square feet. My former husband is having a hip replacement and
this seems to be his dogs’ home away from home.
Monday
This morning at 3 AM Chloe began shaking herself. She has on
so many clanging tags she could work for the Salvation Army at Christmas. I
drug myself off the couch and went out into the very early morning dampness
with her. It is always a surprise to experience the coolness of a fall morning,
hearing leaves being blown from the limbs and knowing they are beautiful even
in the darkness. Of course Chloe and I came back in and she settled right back
into a peaceful sleep while I began running this day through my mind.
I decided to get up before dawn while everyone was asleep
and take my shower. Not wanting to alarm the fur babies, I decided to use the
shower in the hall bathroom so they could find me if they panicked. Now, I do
not know if I washed my body with shampoo or my hair with body wash, but one of
them smelled like toothpaste.
It’s time to take the dogs out before breakfast. These dogs
are trained to empty their tummies and bladders on command so it’s easy to
clean up after them. This works well for two of the dogs, my Vivi and Jim’s
Chloe, both labs. Autumn who is a Goldendor and is retired seems to have retired
from that command as well. Sunday night she started to play with a stick … that
moved. It was determined to be a Copperhead. The young snake skidded off in a
rush and may be living now in the workings of whatever is underneath someone’s
car.
Finally, with Dogs all taken out, fed, watered, beds moved
out of the middle of the floor, bowls washed, taken for individual walks (three
walks for me), long play time, it’s time for a treat. Chloe missed the treat
and got my finger. I forgot all about the beautiful experience we had in the
middle of the night and yelled at her. She isn’t speaking to me yet.
Tuesday
I decide to walk the dogs with my hair still wet since rain
doesn’t matter anyway. It seems as though it rains every Tuesday because it’s
the day I get to go outside in the mud and bring the trash cans and the recycle
bin around to the front for emptying. With my shoes caked with mud and my hair
rinsed well in rain water I bring Chloe out for a short walk and return her and
take Autumn for a shorter walk. back inside I realize I have left my own Vivi
shut up in the bedroom for over forty-five minutes.
After a repeat of Monday morning’s routine I light a
cinnamon scented candle and take pictures of the beautiful three girl dogs.
They don’t want to cooperate so I go outside and take it through the front
door.
My tasks for today besides the next walking, playing and
treats include taking out burners and scrubbing them, vacuuming the house,
emptying the dishwasher, washing a load of clothes, and trying not to forget to
water the plants. Dogs are playing, things are going well and suddenly Dene,
Jim’s wife, comes in. We pack up the dogs, beds, food, bowls, leashes and toys
and load up the car. Although I am glad Jim’s hip replacement has gone well, I
realize I enjoyed the camaraderie of the canines.
…
I open up the bedrooms and remember to water the plants. The
burners can wait for tomorrow. Doctor Oz is talking about sprouted guiltless
bread and how this lady loves it and was able to put down her carbs. I make a
face and keep on scrubbing stove parts, but I quit and run into the living room
when he says he is going to show people how to sharpen their brain in older
age. Of course, you take this little test every day and it’s all done by sight.
I turn off the TV.
The house is quiet.
No jangle tags, no squeaking toys, no pretend growling, no biting
fingers. I fix myself a Cappuccino and sit down to rest with a good book. I’m
almost falling asleep when Vivi comes over and pushes the toy in my lap. Time
for a game of football.
