Hello to all my friends this week!
Let me start off by saying I seriously intended to write every week when I started my blog, but the summer has been so busy that the days get away from me. However, I simple LOVE to share my life with you so I will keep doing the best I can (Which, after all, is all we can ask of anyone, including a dog. Right?)
Summer really has been racing by, and the days are getting noticeably shorter. It has caused a few things to shift in my life, and I have had to make a few adjustments in my routine.
First of all, Mom has changed how she lets us outside in the early morning and at bedtime. Usually, when Mom opens up the door to the backyard, I like to race out to see what squirrels I can surprise. Or birds I can startle. But, now that the daylight hours are shortening, my mom gets all paranoid that we are going to encounter a skunk in the backyard. So before we can go out, my mom claps and hollers out into the dark to scare away all the critters. Sometimes she even barks like a dog out into the night (she tells me that second part may not help scare animals away, necessarily, but it gives the neighbors something to talk about.)
Mom is so paranoid about those polecats that she keeps the recipe for “de-skunking a dog” taped up on the inside of the cupboard door. She says that when the ingredients are mixed, you sponge them on the dog right away and there is some sort of chemical reaction that helps break down the skunk smell.
She tells her clients that using tomato juice is an old wives’ tale, and she knows that fact from real life because she tried it once.
The end result was a dog that smelled like a skunk that had rolled in tomato juice. Not good.
I have never been sprayed by a skunk, but my sister, Ellie, has and she said it is NO fun. It involves getting a bath afterward, which both Ellie and I agree is not our most enjoyable thing to do.
The other thing I am noticing as the days shorten is that suddenly there is this mad rush to get things done around the house. It seems like one morning Mom woke up and just went crazy. “Oh no! It’s almost September and there is so much to do before winter! Hurry! Hurry!”
So here is what is happening a LOT lately around the house. Deck staining. Mulch spreading. Concrete sealing. Crack filling. Garage cleaning. Plant relocating. Grass seeding. Trim painting.
And here is what is NOT happening a lot. DOG WALKING.
Bah, humbug.
Yes, I know. It’s been hot. Because of that, Mom walks us early in the morning before she leaves for work, but it is a bit dark and spooky out now. Ellie doesn’t seem to mind it, but if I can HEAR creepy noises but cannot SEE what is making the creepy noise, then I think it prudent to exercise a bit of caution. Stop and assess the situation. Maybe even take a few steps backward. Which means I hear a lot of “C’mon Sophie, be brave!” on my morning and evening walks.
Fine. We’ll see who’s brave when the creepy monster finally comes out of the bushes and eats us all.
The last thing I’ve noticed in the past few weeks is that people’s eyes look sadder than I remember. Whether peering at a school calendar, checking the COVID-19 case information, or studying the yellowing leaves, I sense melancholy. Discouragement. Worry.
Thus, I have been spending more time pressing my head against a knee. Leaning in for an ear rub. Gazing up at the faces.
Pets have power to heal, but we don’t wield it for our own gain. We use it for the good of the people around us. We generously dole out our unconditional love. We remind our loved ones to find joy in each moment. And we never shy away when we sense that we are needed.
The buildings might be burning, the stormy seas might be rising, but pets are a constant reminder for our people to focus on what they can control. Eat well. Sleep right. Spend some time curled up on the couch with a furry friend.
And, when the days shorten and skunks threaten to spray you to smithereens from the dark and spooky bushes, be brave. Gather up what you need and get rid of as much stink as you can.
Endure the bath, commiserate with a friend who understands, then go for a walk to dry off and gain perspective.
And keep your hopes alive – it’s very likely there’s a yummy treat waiting for you when you get back home.
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