Tuesday, October 27, 2015

A FEW DAYS


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.

  

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