First Thing - Last Thing

First thing in the morning and last thing at night I let Prince Kobe out. He's an old boy, age unknown really. Not very active, content to lie in his bed, or on the sofa or recliner and just survey his kingdom.

Right before I retire for the night, I call him down to go outside one last time. He drags himself from his warm nest much like I drag myself out of my warm bed in the morning. With great reluctance.

Game old dude that he is, he ambles out, almost to the edge of the porch and squats to pee. This old guy pee's like a race horse. He cleans off his paws, turns and heads back inside. He eats, sleeps, wags his tail, and eliminates. He does all that is required to him. He rarely barks (only at irritating fosters), he doesn't howl or whine, he does fart.

And in the process, he brings joy to my day. I hope when I reach the unknown age he is I take life with half as much grace as he does. And I pray someone cherishes me in old age just as I do him. And may they know what a privilege it is to take him out first thing and last thing.

Uplifting

I was rubbing on some age defying lotion tonight in a feeble attempt to defy age. It occurred to me just how much character my "products" have. For example, I have whitening/brightening toothpaste, and lingerie that makes me feel like a woman - not that I had any gender issues to begin with. I have invigorating shampoo, but all it really has to do is clean my hair. Any vigor I have comes from other sources. I realize I may sound like Andy Rooney here, but thankfully I don't look like him. If I ever begin to, it's time to get a different age defying lotion, better lingerie and have my eyebrows touched up (seriously).

My bra's are uplifting, and my jeans are smoothing. In real life, I can only hope my spirit is uplifting and my life is fairly smooth. Most foods I eat are fortified with something, when really, only my faith/hope needs daily fortification. Yes, I said fortification, not the other word. That's a whole other subject.

Nothing on me has been cosmetically enhanced, and gravity has been knocking me about with it's magic wand of softening, sliding and wrinkles.

Still, I find there is more depth, more joy, more serendipity in my life than ever before. I believe that is a gift of age. And no product on earth can defy that. Nor would I want one too.

Rest for the Weary

There is only one thing I would change about dogs if I could. I would give them the ability to understand that once in a while Mom gets to (needs to, wants to) sleep in. They would realize, WOW, they were out late last night, bet they/she would like an extra hour of zzzzzz-time in the morning. In response, they would all curl up in their little warm balls and nap for another hour, heck, maybe even longer.

OK, maybe this isn't going to happen. If the birds always start singing about the same time, then no doubt the rabbits start hopping, and bugs wake and stretch too. The dogs are creatures of habit as well. It's pretty much 6:30am and they are ready to start their day. Too bad I'm not.

Still I manage to roll my sleepy body out of bed, pull on some clothes, and venture out into the dewy fall morning. Naturally, now that they have done their 6:30 am business and been fed, they are napping again.

Would it really upset the natural order of the world if Mom got to sleep in? Apparently my dogs aren't willing to risk throwing the earth off its natural axis to find out. So we start the day early, on sleepy feet (at least the human ones) and race outside to pee and see what the world looks like.

That's life. That's life with dogs.

Fence Training

Sidney is on his sixth day of invisible fence training. I really think training should be easier, as we've done it before. This is my sixth dog to train. For days now, we're been exposing him to the warning tone. Now he's learning the consequences of going past the warning tone.

Wouldn't it be nice if we always were aware of, and respected the warning tones of life??? On the other hand, there wouldn't be many life lessons if we immediately learned and followed the rules. Face it, we need those lessons, and the consequences that go with them. Doesn't make them any easier to get through though.

Actually the process is easy. It's just that I hate when the pup gets his first consequence. And I know, it only takes a couple for them to connect the dots. It's a small price to pay for keeping them safe and contained. Still, it's difficult for me and was quite a shock for Sidney.

Funny when we love someone, how much it hurts to see them receive consequences. Even if they are appropriate consequences, well deserved, and properly dispensed. Guess this goes with caring, and having a tender heart.

In the end, Sidney will have a whole yard to run in and explore. I can't wait to see that. Between now and then, we're baby stepping our way to learning boundaries. Boundaries are as necessary as consequences.

To The Bosses Of the World

Excuse me. Yes, it's me talking. Could I have a word with you? I'm one of your long-term employees. I don't make a fuss, I'm here everyday, you count on me as if I was your right hand. When life gets complicated I keep the home fire burning. No worries. I have your best interest at heart.

Trouble is, I'm such a fixture you may not even notice me. Sometimes bosses do that. So do spouses and friends for that matter. I give and give to your organization. And it's given me back so much. Don't forget that what I invest needs to be reciprocal. Teams only work if both are active in the process. Please don't step on me in your quest for success.

Excuse me. Yes, it's me talking. Could I have a word with you? I'm one of your new employees. I'm just learning the ropes here. Treat me with patience, understanding, and lots of verbal instruction. I'll make some mistakes along the way. But that is how we learn. If I am well trained, valued and respected I'll work both for you and with you.

Excuse me. Yes, it's me talking. Could I have a word with you? I'm a former employee of yours. You may, or may not remember me. I will remember what I learned from you. What you model reflects how much value you have for people. It mirrors what defines success in your eyes, and what you will do to get it. It shows if you are part of the team, or if the "team" is just lip service.

Excuse me, I know you are busy. Thank you for hiring me all those years ago. Or for hiring me last month. Thank you for being a former employer. Thank you for the lessons you teach. May they be lessons you would want to learn yourself. Taught with honor and consistency.

Little City Girl

I am a self professed Little City Girl. But next month I'm going to the big city, to the Big Apple. I'm having fun already and I don't leave for about 10 days. It's already been a trip to remember, and we're just in the planning stages.

The best part is having friends willing to show me their city. These wonderful friends joined my life by adopting Pete, our last foster dog. I will get to stay with them and Pete. I wonder if Pete is half as excited as I am?

We will take Pete and Lucy to a wonderful Blessing of the Animals. Sure wish I could take one of my resident pups along - several could use some extra blessings. Perhaps I will be blessed simply by attending, and that will rub off on my own dogs.

Owning dogs takes us on an incredible journey. Fostering takes you even further. I have fosters who ended up in New Mexico, Mississippi, one who stayed right here in Omaha, one who sadly crossed the bridge, Pete in NYC, and Sidney -who's forever home is yet to be determined.

I'll probably be easy to pick out in NYC. I'll be the one walking around with her mouth open in awe. And while I may be a little city girl at heart, my heart is open to visiting the big city, and seeing the part of my heart that moved there this summer.

Random Thots

I was listening to a radio commercial today. An advertisement mentioned getting your "free" flirty makeup bag. That got me thinking. What if my makeup bag is flirtier than I am? I'm not sure I really want that. We like to think we can hold our own in that regard, and not be trumped by a small bag with a zipper in it. All my makeup bag really needs to be is functional. Enough said.

I have a cell phone dilemma. You may understand. I downloaded what is currently my favorite song on it. Now when it rings, I am tempted not to answer it. Go figure.

The full moon was last Saturday, but things are just getting nutsy at work. In retail, or in hospitals, you sometimes see a spike in bizarre behavior around the full moon. Could the response to last week's full moon have been delayed by, say Hurricane Ike? Or the result of a long and grueling sumo wrestler style presidential election campaign? You never know.

Remember the blog I wrote about the bundle of rope in the road? Said rope has travelled about a mile north of where I saw it. It also crossed the road to the other side. Life is all about making changes in direction. Yes it is.

An interesting procedure that boggles my mind - we went for our monthly couples massage last night. Yes, life is good! The massage is given in the "family room", so we can be together. Oddly enough we are not allowed to disrobe in front of each other in the family room. Even odder is the fact that we can re-robe in front of each in that same family room. Hmmmmm, just hmmmmm.

Day Off

Tuesdays are my day "off". Off being a loosely used term here. Off in the sense I don't have to go to the store and work. At home, it's my catch up day.

So far today, I've taken Sidney for a meet and greet at the store. He did so well. His first visit we just stayed in the receiving and office area. Today I took him into the store proper. We visited the floral department and the crafts department. I am so lucky to work in a dog-friendly, family-owned and operated business. He was exposed to lots of people, stacks of boxes, displays and all manner of things. They were impressed at how much confidence he's gained. Yea Sidney!

Following that I did the grocery shopping, some invisible fence training, picked tomato's, cooked some homemade tomato juice. Can you hear the Bloody Mary's calling? Took Mick to have his nails clipped. Yes, I can do that at home, but while I can get his front paws done alone, he's a complete wiggle butt when I touch his back paws. Sometimes it's just worth it to have 'em done. Did a pet therapy visit, and went to the chiropractor. Next on the list is a massage (ahhhhhh), then a visit to my Mom, then out to dinner. Oh, the laundry is still waiting to be folded and I was (truly I was!) going to chase the vacuum around the front room.

So for a day off, I didn't exactly sit around and eat bonbons. Maybe I should try that someday. Note to self: schedule a day off - really off!! On this day I will read, nap, eat bonbons, read, have a pedicure, relax, soak in the tub. Sip wine, lay about in fine lingerie, be waited on hand-and-foot. And this day is penciled in on the calendar.....under happy dreams and harmless delusions.

Murphy's Law of Plumbing

We've had plumbing issues since Saturday afternoon. I maintain, you really don't know someone until you've traveled (IE, moved cross country) with them, done remodeling with them, been with them while they are inebriated, or have the flu (neither are pleasant) and done plumbing with them. As many things as Reno and I have shared, until now, plumbing has not been one of them.

Murphy's law of plumbing is that your drain will close off exactly when your dishwasher is full to capacity with dishes waiting to be washed. And yes, we used paper plates, no biggy there. It was the lack of clean glasses that became problematic. Not so problematic that I felt compelled to wash dishes in the bath tub however.

We used draino, a 12 ft snake, more draino, boiling water, some enzymatic cleaner stuff the plumber sold me for the floor drain, more draino, the power of positive thinking, the 12 ft snake from the basement (since the plug was not in the sink area). After than we still had no success. I say "we" like I was actively involved in the toil and sweat of this endeavor. Mostly I was sweating the lack of clean glasses.

It was time to get serious. I called my sister-In-Law, and said, "I'm not quite sure how to say this, but how big is Pat's snake". I need one bigger than a 12', preferably 50'. Well, after the laughter subsided, she made me ask him! Luckily he has a wonderful selection of tools. We (there I go again) tried the 25 ft one, and then used the 50 ft snake. For Reno it was a first, having lived in Reno for 35+ years he never had to snake a drain. Everything runs down hill there. I'm sure he was excited in a "Tim The Toolman" sort of way.

At present, we are crossing our fingers and running the dishwasher. Hopefully, it was all about having the right tools for the job. Hopefully, I can pay my personal plumber with warm fuzzy's instead of a professional plumber $200 just to look at it. Time will tell.

Fence Training

We began invisible fence training with Sidney today. It's been on my mind for a while. Cold weather (I even hate to say that) is just down the road. Last winter we visited the frigid out doors with Pete on lead every time he needed out. We (I) decided to get a move on and train this dear boy.

The yard is flagged. And we had our first training session today. The mission - take him close enough to the boundary so he could hear the warning tone, and then retreat to the safe zone. The collar is covered so he does not get zapped, just the experience of the warning tone.

My problem though is hearing the tone when he's wearing the collar. One ought to be able to turn up the volume for trainers who are over a certain age. Heck, what if your dog was hard of hearing???

So there we were. The first session. Mind you, over the course of his stay we've walked the yard a pawzillion times, and have stayed within the boundaries of the fence area, so he has a good idea of how far he can go. So he walks up to about a foot from a flag, ever so slowly crouches into a gorgeous point position. And there I am beside him, crouched down into a amusing point of my own trying in vain to here the warning tone. All I could hear was the imagined laughter of every neighbor within the visual vicinity of my yard.

Nope, I could not hear the tone. I'm trusting he did. So we retreated with joyous words and excitement to the safe part of the yard. I've given up trying to hear the tone. Only way to do that is to put a collar on me - and that just ain't gonna happen.

Dead ________ on the Road

Have you ever been driving and see a lump of something coming up on the road?? My first instinct is aaaaawwwwww, there is a dead _____. I saw one today, and immediately was full of sorrow. Except it was a coil of rope someone lost on the road. Poor rope. Was it really lost? Was it trying to cross the highway and misjudged the time it would take and the speed of the oncoming traffic? Even a pile of rope can look vulnerable on the highway of life.

Sometimes we are the rope, sometimes we are the highway, sometimes we are the traffic. Wow - such happy thoughts!

Sometimes it take a death to find new life. It happens to all of us. I'm not sure if that is the good news or the bad news. I think it's both.

All this comes to mind while navigating life and the relationships we are blessed with. We find it hard to understand. I find men hard to understand, men find women hard to understand. Thank God dogs don't have this same inter species dynamic. Or the confusion it brings.

For dogs things are pretty cut and dried. Food should arrive between 6:30-7:30am and between 6-7 in the evening. Treats can (and should) happened hourly. The old guy has dibs on the recliner. The female is the alpha bitch. There are a few things that are not quite what they seem. Like for Maddie - balls rule. But a "ball" is anything round you can chase. An apple or a tomato is a suitable substitute for a tennis ball. Maybe this is a woman thing - everything is equal until we say it's unequal.

Perhaps that is a rule we can live by - everything is equal until it's unequal. And then it's time to regroup. Regrouping is good. A little give a little take. It's not about winning, but finding the middle ground with pulls us together.

What looks like a tangled mangled mess on the road may not be that at all. That's the good news.

Dust

As I look around I see some dust on the furniture. Frankly, I prefer to consider it a layer of love, just like the dog fur is a layer of puppy love. Sure I could jump up and run for the dust cloth. But you all know me well enough to know it just ain't gonna happen. I could spend all day cleaning, well I could, but.....ummmm......ah.....I don't think so.

When you work every other weekend it's hard to get motivated on your weekend off. I'd rather putz around the house, write, wander the garden, read a little, love up on the dogs. You may have noticed cleaning is not in that mix. Some people are born to clean - I'm not one of them.

Our pets know what's important in life. None of them are begging me to get out the vacuum cleaner and I trust their judgement. If I dust today, it will be dusty again within a week. The dust will not repay me in comfort and relaxation. Although, I admit (grudgingly) a certain satisfaction can be had be cleaning up and making things neat and tidy. I'm just not into that kind of satisfaction.

If I have a burst of energy I'll take the dogs out to be brushed. I believe that counts as cleaning and loving up on the dogs. In the mean time I'll have another cup of coffee and ponder the numerous blessings I enjoy that are as evident as the dust on the furniture.

Couch Potato

We have created a monster. His name is Sidney. If there was a 12-step group for dogs like him they would assemble in a room full of sofa's and couches. One-by-one they would all raise a paw and say "Hello, I'm _______, and I Am A Couch Potato".

I've known Sidney enjoys curling up on the sofa. I often find him snuggled in there. Tonight, though, he had to share the sofa. He nose was rather out of joint. Reno was stretch out on the sofa, and I was sitting at his feet. That left approximately 11 inches of space for Sidney. He climbed up, wedging himself between me and the arm of the sofa. Struggled to turn his customary 3 circles and eased as much of himself into the 11" space as he could. As he sank down, part way, he let out a huge sigh. In dog speak it was "cripes, what have they done with my sofa???"

Even I was feeling cramped so I moved. It was a race for space. Fortunately (or not, depending on who you ask) two human legs stretched out before four canine ones could. That left no room for Sidney at all. What?? How could that be? He wandered the front room like a lost soul. He tried his crate, the floor at my feet, he tried in vain to find room to snuggle on the sofa. He tried his crate again, the tried the floor again. And looked, oh so longingly at the sofa.

It was time for desperate measures. Gingerly he climbed up on the sofa and staked his place between the human legs. A dog's kingdom is his couch. And he would not be usurped by a mere mortal. After all, in Sidney's world four legged creatures are more deserving than two legged ones. At least that is what he read in the Couch Potato Bible for young pointers.

Not Quite A Year

Where were you just about a year ago? Were you anticipating something wonderful? Were you dreading an outcome? Were you wishing changes would occur? Were you lost and floundering? Were you counting blessings beyond measure?

It's been not quite a year since Reno moved to Omaha. I'm not sure he knew what he was getting into with my doggy-dog world, but he has been a trooper. Of course, he brought his own doggy dog to add to the pack. She alone has reason to celebrate almost a year here.

Combining households was not easy. His stuff, my stuff, stuff we have to keep because we just can't part with it. There is no valid reason to keep it, other than it has been a part of our lives. Some parts of our other lives need to stay with us.

There were times I swore he was trying to erase me. There were times he swore - that's it, he just swore. I really couldn't blame him. There were times he wondered if his organized approach to life had met it's match with my not-so-organized approach to life. I wondered that too. Many times I resisted tossing something we didn't need. Only to willingly pitch it several weeks later. Even if I recognized it as junk, I had bonds with that junk. Bonds are sometimes hard to break.

We have made one major purchase over the year. The queen sized bed had to go. Two people and 3 dogs in a queen was not enough room. Add to the fact the bed was a hazard to begin with, and it was a necessity, not a luxury. We've had two foster dogs over the course of this first year, and had an adult child move home. Luckily we've had him move out faster than we've placed fosters. We've laughed, we've cried a time or two. I've learned that I don't really understand men, and he confirmed he doesn't really understand women. At least, we are both clueless there.

After living on my own for 10 years, I thought it would be more difficult to share my life in "that" way again. Truthfully, it's been a blessing. I can't thank him enough for moving half way across the country. Although, no doubt it helps he was moving to the land of great football. Of course, he will tell you that land is Oklahoma, but I beg to differ.

So I have to give thanks for the journey we began in earnest last October. It has been divinely led since the first email we exchanged so many years ago. And the saga continues - thanks to the big guy upstairs.

Vlad the Impaler

In addition to having a grand-lab, I also have a grand-dragon. Mind you, I don't do reptiles, at least not willingly.

But my daughter adores her bearded dragon - aptly named Vladimir. She used to have an iguana named Bowser, but her old boy friend has custody of him. It took a long time before I'd even touch either one of them, the reptiles I mean. Like I said, me and reptiles - not on your life.

We took Sidney over to visit the house my daughter and son are renting. Sid went to play with Decoy and enjoyed the luxury of a fenced back yard to run and play in. When we were leaving, my daughter brought out Vladimir for the dogs to do a meet and greet. Sid was about as interested in the critter as I was. Decoy wanted to taste him. He's had several days of meet and greets with Vlad. I'm sure when Decoy looks at him he still sees an appetizer.

Sidney was not impressed. In fact, my daughter set the nearly 14" dragon on Sidney's back. Neither one of them flinched, although I was uneasy! Yes, it was a Kodak moment, and we ran for the camera. Only enough juice in the battery for one picture. Which we got! I'll be certain to share when we get it downloaded.

It was a cool moment, even if there was a reptile involved. Good exposure for Sidney, and for me. And Vlad was a perfect gentleman.

A Howling Chorus

Maddie does not like the sound of fire truck sirens. She is always the first to break into song when they are near by. She'll sit up, throw her head back and howl for all she's worth. It's pretty amusing.

This morning I watched as she began to sing. Next Mickey raced over, threw back his head and joined in. In the next instant Sidney ran up stairs, looked at Maddie, looked at Mickey and he too decided to sing. It was a howling chorus. Something you normally only see animated in a Disney movie.

If they ever change the sound of a siren on a firetruck the sounds of dogs howling up a storm would be a good alternative. I was torn between letting them sing another chorus or stopping the madness. Oh, for my phone, or a video camera, to catch this hot new group crooning together.

They were pretty cute, and incredibly loud. Only Kobe refused to join in song. Come to think of it I have never heard Kobe sing. Perhaps the Prince is too dignified and that's why he sent Sidney in to sing for him.

Flying - hopefully; fried - most likely

I am trying to organize a trip to NYC the beginning of next month. If anyone would like to donate their frequent flyer miles to a not-so frequent flyer - that would be awesome. I know, it may be bold of me to ask, and I do understand - if you'd rather donate cash, I have no problem with that. Or if you have a corporate jet you'd like to send for me - that's ok too. I realize some of you out there have more money and mileage than you know what to do with. I don't mind helping you out with that little problem.

Speaking of little problems. I fried the microwave tonight. Multitasking after a couple margarita's can be problematic. I know - shaking head. I should have been more careful. Instead of setting the timer, I turned the microwave on. In my defense, the microwave was very old, and I got it for free. That is my story and I'm sticking to it. Besides, if the neighbor's apple tree wasn't loaded with fruit this never would have happened. Baking two apple pies after a couple drinks is not the smartest thing I've ever done. Bear in mind, I am a light weight, so it was only two margarita's. One for each pie as I see it.

I'm hoping the microwave will recover. Okay, so perhaps that is a bit delusional. Hopefully, no more delusional than praying the God's of Travel will bless this trip I'm lining up.

If you can help - let me know. If you'd like to meet in NYC for a margarita - please don't let me near your microwave.

Gentlemen

I am writing this blog on behalf of my girlfriends in search of decent, respectable, intelligent gentlemen worth investing their time and their hearts in.

I know they are out there somewhere. Gentle men that is. I know there are good decent men out there. Maybe, there are more than we know - Lordy, I hope so.

For the women, hold strong to your values. You deserve to be respected, listened to, honored. Men you deserve the same from your women. There are men who care enough to work at relationships. Just as there are men who don't give a crap about relationships. There are all kinds. And all of us/them are works in progress.

Don't be so sure of what the right guy looks like that you fail to see what may be better than you dreamed. Go slowly into relationships. Trust your gut. Don't sell yourself short. Laugh easily. Let falling in love be a slow delicious process. Forgive, as needed, but not without learning some lessons about yourself and the guy involved. Ask many questions, and listen with both your ears and your heart for the answers. Words and actions must match. Don't ever skimp on this premise.

Sacrifices need to be made in relationships. But, never ever sell your soul or lose girl friends for the sake of a relationship. Don't forget that a well said apology is worth it's weight in gold. Truthfully, you do have to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet that prince. The frogs give us greater appreciation for the Princes of the world.

Sometimes Princes screw up, but then don't we all. Make amends, apologize, grow from your mistakes. Breathe, it helps. And believe - in you, in life, in wonderful things about to happen.

Honey Do's

Honey Do's come in all shapes and forms. There are the honey will you pick up some milk on your way home from work requests. Honey would you help me with this? Honey could you do me a favor? Honey have you see my keys? Honey did I tell you....?

As my honey was working on his "To Do" list for today I made what I thought was a simple request. I said...."Honey?, if you are outside with Kobe when he poops, please look it over for me". So maybe most people 's honey do lists don't include analyzing poop content, color and consistency. To his credit he asked if I needed color and other identifying information. I think he was just humoring me.

Suffice it to say, there was no three page report on Prince Kobe's backyard deposit when I got home from work. Actually, I still feel a little silly for having asked the question. My honey will do a lot for me and the dogs. I think he drew a line at the poop today.

On the other hand, poop happens, and poop tells much about an animals (or humans!) health. So really not such a silly question. But, and there is always a but, perhaps his idea of a fun day off did not include poop watching. I understand. I'll forgive him for not doing this honey do, if he'll forgive me for asking the question.

Go Pee Rhymes with Dopey

The dogs know. The dogs know the rules. The dogs (at least mine) know not to pee in the house. And yet, sometimes pee happens. Adults know the rules too. While we don't pee in the house the same way dogs do, we do have our dopey moments too.

Dopey may be a synonym for pointers, the data seems to suggest it. Of course, maybe the adults in the household missed the "I gotta go potty cues", the "I can't hold it any more" signals, the "I'm gonna explode if no one pays attention to me" signs. It could have happened.

My first cue was what is that noise???? Followed immediately with SIDNEY NOOOOOOOO!!! Strong emphasis on the "NO", naturally.

He'd been outside. But, he'd been bunny watching. I can only surmise multitasking is not in his nature. Because he'd been outside, I wasn't watching as carefully as I could have. On the plus side, I got a really good verbal correction in. You may have heard it. Half the continent did.

When you gotta go, you gotta go. And we have proof. Or had proof, as the carpet has been quickly cleaned. As a woman who sometimes waits longer to find the loo than I should, I have to sympathize. He had to go, so he did. Nothing dopey about that.

Good Lord Morning

Why is it when you over sleep you always feel worse off? That extra sleep definitely does not increase productivity. In fact, it reduces mental function. Granted my level of mental function varies by day, by moon cycle, by the tide, by dumb luck.

I/we overslept by an hour this morning. Actually I think I was sleeping so deeply it took 60 minutes for my alarm to penetrate all that gray matter. We were so late getting up, my son was up and had let some of the dogs out. My first waking thought was wondering why Mickey was barking and how did he get outside, or had I left him out all night?? As I stumbled to the door to let him in, I encountered my son and asked why he was up so early. His response was why was I getting up so late - ohhhh.......

It gets better, in my scramble to gather my wits and get ready for work I bent over to pet Mickey. As I bent down he jumped up hitting me in the nose. Dog heads are really, really hard!! So I had a bloody nose on top of a foggy brain. Hump day should not start like this.

I bet it took almost until Noon to get my sh*t together today. I suppose better late than never counts on days like today. By after lunch I was feeling organized and coherent. My boss likes when that happens.

I wonder if anyone has researched the "oversleeping/under functioning" phenomenon. And if there is a set time it takes to recover for oversleeping. Like for every hour you oversleep it takes 3 hours to recover. I have data as hard as a dogs head to prove my case.

Shake Wiggle Shimmy

For a minute there I thought the morning play session was over. It was, just a pause in play, and now it's game on again.

Sidney in particular is amusing in the morning. Fresh out of his crate from a night of rest he is the epitome of puppy. He wants to see and greet everyone, he does the puppy scamper, and he's got this hilarious shake wiggle and shimmy move he makes. There is so much hip and butt action Elvis would have been impressed. It must be all that joy and excitement exploding inside that makes him dance like this.

Imagine if we all responded to joy in this way?? Well, aside from needing traction following that much shaking, and perhaps being arrested for shimmying in public like that, or even being laughed off the planet for being just so silly. Imagine what total joy feels like. Not cautious joy, socially and politically correct joy, not toned down joy. Imagine total joy expressed to the max.

I've seen what it looks like, it's like Sidney when he shakes, wiggles and shimmy's. And it is pure bliss.

Rainy Monday

If I took instructions from the dogs, I'd be calling in to work today. They know, that rainy days are meant for snuggling in to the couch, the recliner, or the bed and snoozing the day away. They don't even so much as follow me from room-to-room on the rainy days like they do every other day of the week in case I do something exciting. I could drop salami on the floor and I don't think they would budge.

I admit I'm not so good at just kicking back and resting. My mind is always going every which way. I have a book I'm reading at the table, one in the living room, and of course, one in the powder room. A dog would never do that, they would focus on one at a time, or just nap instead.

A dog naps on the off chance they will need to rest from playing hard later in the day. A dog naps after eating, after sleeping all night, and after going potty. I nap when I am about to drop and just can't go on. Then I set the timer for a quick 20 minutes. One ear on the timer, one eye on the dogs, and one eye napping. Not very restful.

A dog at rest is as enchanting as a dog at play. And on a rainy Monday these dogs of mine are very wise indeed.

Dog Rules

I may have missed it, but there must be a dog rule about the stairs. If the owner heads up the stairs the dog/dogs must at all costs beat them to the top.

Sidney is an ace at this. Pete used to do it too. Plowing through the owner to achieve this goal must score extra points. This rule apples to both going up or going down the stairs.

Kobe, in his senior decorum, chooses to wait and watch at the top of the stairs. We don't worry about him knocking us down on the stairs so much as we worry about knocking him down on the stairs. We do have a throw rug at the bottom of the stairs for Kobe. His arthritis makes the stairs difficult. Once he gets going it's hard stopping on the tile floor are the bottom. We could all use a landing pad at some point in our lives. No shame in that. It's rather like a layer of love at the foot of the stairs for an old Prince.

Another dog rule is if you have a toy you must take it under a chair to play with it. Right now there are two pointer butts sticking out from under the chair, tails wagging like crazy, as they play under the furniture. They are talking like wookies. Sneezes will follow - yet another rule in dog play. Canine vocalization requires sneezing to finish out the session.

Dogs rule, like clowns with paws and fur coats. And we can't help but love them.

Guy Tips - Messing Up 101

A tip for the guys - which may prevent you from being in the dog house. If you miss an important birthday or anniversary. Don't, I repeat, don't place the blame anywhere but squarely upon your own idiot self. There is no shame in owning that you are an idiot. And there is much to be gained by quickly fixing this error. Now, I don't condone giving elaborate gifts to suck for for being stupid. A gift is given for loving purposes. Not because you messed up. I'd rather have one diamond given in love, for the right reasons, than the Hope diamond given to make up for self stupidity.

A sincere apology, from the heart will go a long way. After that, then perhaps some chocolate may smooth the way. The important part is not the chocolate (I know, hard to believe) it is the effort made to right the wrong and rebuild the trust and love. After that, add chocolate.

Now, I know women have moments of idiocy too. I've made some huge blunders, in the name of love, for good reasons, and still had them blow up in my face. It happens. And believe me I'm sorry for those times.

The words I'm sorry, I was wrong, I screwed up.......can we try again. And a thoughtful gesture, perhaps some chocolate, would be a nice touch. It guess it all boils down to words and actions. They have to match. When they do relationships work better, go smoother. Still there will be bumps in the road. And I think those are good things. Bumps shake us up and help us shake things down into a better place.

And yes, I know owning mistakes can be humbling. But loving requires this of us. At least at that point you have done your best to let the hurt begin to heal. If you play your cards right, you may just get to share the chocolate, and all the other sweetness a relationship brings.

Ouch

Into each life some pain must fall, or was that rain will fall? There are physical pains, emotional pain, heartaches, tooth aches, headaches, hurt feelings, broken toes, various and sundry bruises. There are huge lingering losses, there are little splinters of hurt. There are subtle hurts we often overlook because they are a daily part of life. There are pains large enough to swallow us. There are pains in the ass. Some go as quickly as they come (thankfully), there are some that take up residence with us.

Part of caring means mean opening ourselves up to both joy and pain. Like gin and tonic - they just go together. Like beer and pizza, they just go together. Like me and dogs - they just go together. You catch my drift, you see how the fur flies.

So in those "ouch" moments, or times what do you do? You search for the right band aid to move toward healing. I love the concept of band aids - some tape and padding to hold it all together. Band it with love, pad it with forgiveness, keep it clean, let it heal. And always, always find the lesson that comes from the experience. I guarantee, there is one within.....

Gifts

I got some fun gifts for my birthday. Thankfully, no one gave me a cane or a walker. I did get a gift that only a 50 yr old could appreciate. It is a bottle of Boone's Farm Apple Wine. If that doesn't take you right back I don't know what will. I'd be surprised if it has either apple or wine in it, but for many of us testing the alcohol waters in "the day", that's what we sampled.

I celebrated being 50 at the same time my Mom is celebrating being 87. I asked her at dinner, what she would have done over in her life time. She related having four kids at home, a husband who was on the road, and no car. She'd have liked more time to herself. I can understand that. My question is one that we can all consider. What would I/you/we have done differently???

I'd have finished college, gotten dogs earlier, not taken so much crap. I'd have laughed sooner, drawn more lines in the sand, saved more money, and been more gentle with myself. I would have said no, and yes, and that's a load of crap. I would have listened to my gut.

Gifts take many shapes and forms. I received cards, flowers, wine, a great dog book, chocolate, skin lotion, candy. I received hugs and love. And I received a chance to look back, and to look forward. And I enjoyed the gift of gratitude - for all the presents that life has gifted me with.

And yes, the best is yet to be.

Dog Talk

Sidney has a "friend" in the yard next door. They have a love/hate relationship. Actually, it's a baby rabbit that grazes just beyond the fence. I believe baby rabbits are born knowing how to flip dogs off. This one does it on a regular basis. Flippin Bunny lives in the wood pile next to the house next door. I'd rather like to let Sidney visit the wood pile and get better acquainted. I don't believe a dog ever forgets where it saw a rabbit. Sidney swears this is true.

Kobe is better, finally. Life has been the shits for him lately - literally, figuratively. I'm crossing fingers I can put the carpet cleaner away for a while.

Decoy is jumping again this weekend. He qualified in a DockDogs competition at the state fair Saturday with a winning jump of 18' 10". Great jump - moved him up into the semi-professional wave. He'll be jumping with the "big" dogs today. Can you say 20' and over Decoy?

Maddie got groomed over the weekend. Dang she's a cutie! Her report card said she'd do better at the groomers next time. She's not saying what she did wrong there, maybe the groomer was having a bad day. Maybe she was a fussy butt. Maybe she was just being a bitch. At least she hasn't been banned from there - so I think that's a good thing.

Mick is my strong silent one. Although he'd really like to thank my friend for the lovely bite of pulled pork the other night. He's still smacking his lips over that one, and thanking the big Dog upstairs he got some before Mom spoiled all the fun.