Let me start off by saying that May 23rd I
officially retired from dealing with dogs. Don’t get me wrong. I like dogs. At
our grooming shop, I grew up with all sizes and shapes. The stocky pugs that
were usually as round as they were tall made grunting sounds when they received
a nail trim. The huge Great Pyrenees dogs who came to our grooming shop for
their summer shave, I loved to roll in their hair as it fell to the floor. And,
the happy little Shihtzus I kept on my play list. Oh, they were the best. We
would roll around like wrestlers until I tired of the game, then leap to my ‘just out of reach spots’ to
observe the dogs’ silly antics of begging me back within pawing distance.
I always enjoyed a
slow march past the dogs’ cages with my tail pointing skyward as if they were
non-existent. My soft paws noiseless in the quiet shop, I heard only the low
conversations of the groomers cooing to their clients as they brushed and
styled, the clicking of scissors and hum of the clippers. Always at the same place as I meandered past
the sleeping dogs, relaxed and dozing from their warm bath, that they would sense my presence and the shop
erupted into a nerve jerking, cage
rattling, roar of dog voices all scrambling futilely to engage in an impossible chase. Over the din, no one heard
me chuckle as my steady gait carried me down the hall and I disappeared into
the break room.
Today dogs have no place in my home, in my life or with Judy. At the Canine Beauty Salon they were my work-sisters and work-brothers. You know, like
some of you have a work-wife or a work-husband?
NowI am traveling with four dogs….FOUR DOGS!
I hadn’t seen Tika since our trip to Florida and I’ll have
to admit she has changed and I have been able to teach her where her place is in
my life…away.
But Rocky, Kona, and Dahlia. Well they are a pack and, I’ll
have to admit, they make me very nervous. We all know in the animal world,
strength is in numbers and I am out numbered. I’ve overheard Kona and Dahlia
talking about the rabbits that met their demise under Kona’s swift paw and
sharp teeth. I want no part of that gang behavior.
But life here in Ukiah is quiet these past two days, the
dogs their owners, Julie and Vicki, pulled out yesterday morning. Judy and I
will catch up when the part for our refrigerator arrives Monday and gets installed. But until then, I take leisurely walks with Judy as she sips her coffee and describes her delicious vegan lunch at The Sagely City Of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
If I had visited the peaceful grounds, I would have been convinced to become a Buddha. I have the meditation down.
Oops! That my yoga position, "Upward Cat."
I would have loved to meet this Peacock that roamed the grounds. Wow!
If I had visited the peaceful grounds, I would have been convinced to become a Buddha. I have the meditation down.
Oops! That my yoga position, "Upward Cat."
I would have loved to meet this Peacock that roamed the grounds. Wow!
But I stayed home enjoying the new addition to our motorhome décor. This is a
Rte. 66 Memory box from Judy's artist friend in Mendocino. Thank you, Suzi Marquess Long. It looks so nice on our coffee table.
Down time is always great. Enjoy the Ukiah sunset.
Soon we will truly be on the coast.
Don't forget to read,MASADA'S MARINE, The Story Of A Service Dog And Her Wounded Marine Warrior
Every hour a veteran commits suicide because of PTSD.
Don't forget to read,MASADA'S MARINE, The Story Of A Service Dog And Her Wounded Marine Warrior
Every hour a veteran commits suicide because of PTSD.
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