Dog Talk

Our Dog is always spelled with a capital D. She is a member of the family and joyful companion. Returning from a ten day trip thru several cities, we were greeted happily by our favorite four legged creature. As she exited the kennel where she slept for over a week, her enthusiasm on seeing us did not prevent her from touching noses with her newfound friends in neighboring kennels. She always turns to the kennel keepers and offers a big sloppy kiss as she leaves. This Dog knows and appreciates the loving care she receives while staying with them. She always gets the spa treatment (bath and her nails) on the day before we are coming home, and she recognizes that marker. We are told she becomes overly vigilant after that time, so care is taken to be sure we are enroute before beginning that level of care. They are aware Belle is truly a people lover and craves human companionship. She is also very social with her canine counterparts. She participates in all the doggie group activities, earning the tag of "social director", but often comes into the grooming area to keep the owners, groomers, and their children company. They tell us she has a calming influence on some of the rowdier critters...hmm. That surprised us. Her enthusiasm when first meeting someone new often scares the recipient and I was concerned that she might jump on the young toddler there. Nope, she is ever congnizant of the little one and usually places herself between the child and the half door when a stranger approaches. They tell me she never barks from the salon area...strange, in that anyone approaching our house or even walking by generates a loud bark alarm from her.

Multiple budding plant species certainly stirred my allergies as we traveled. By the time we arrived at home, I was sniffling, sneezing, hacking and coughing. Miserable would be a bit of an understatement. After collecting Belle, we came home and I just collapsed with a pile of tissues, decongestants and expectorants. She took Ol' Abner on his late afternoon walk, then settled in beside my chair. With each round of snorting and coughing, she would rise up and put her head on the arm of my chair, with no verbal disturbance, her eyes said it all. If you have never looked into the eyes of a concerned Laborador Retriever, the nurturing effect of same will be lost. I was constantly reassured that it would get better and she would be here for the duration.

Monday Ol' Abner had to make a trip to the capital city for a dental appointment. I usually accompany him on those treks and Belle stays to "watch the house". She gladly accepts her "cookie" as we leave and and offers an enthusiastic welcome as we return. Sometimes we are away as much as nine or ten hours, and she has never had an accident or destroyed anything in the house in our absence. After all, it's HER house too. Since I was in no condition to be exposed to the outside world, he gave a treat and told her to "watch the house and take care of Mom". She did just that. All day long, she either lay in his chair, on the sofa where she could look out the window, or by my chair. Not one word out of her until Ol' Abner called to let me know he was headed for home. She barked at a walking neighbor during that call. Every day she expects to walk in the morning and in the afternoon, makes several treks outside to inspect her yard, and campaigns loudly for a ride in the morning and afternoon. This is her routine. I fully expected to have an argument with her about such. Not one time did she demand I come out of my cozy place to attend to her. While aware of my presence, she made no requests. When she saw Ol' Abner driving up, she welcomed him loudly and ran downstairs to greet him. It was a little after "walk time" and she expected him to deliver. They walked, she loudly demanded her ride, then asked for dinner right at her usual time. Amazingly intuitive, she seems to know when to ask and when to refrain. I was grateful for her company all day, but amazed at her ability to put aside her needs to just be with me.