This is not a Dog Book

The Christmas after we got Bo, (before Luke) my mom's friend gave me the book (now a new motion picture) Marley & Me. I distinctly remember laying in bed laughing at the new puppy parts. Looking at my beautiful little 6 month old tinkling darling, I could do nothing but giggle. After the auspicious beginning of me thinking God was punishing me for being a bad person due to his bee sting, I figure the fun was still to come!

As I laughed, it hit me...ALL DOG BOOKS END WITH DEAD DOGS! Yup....I am sure just right now a book or two went through your head. I looked at my snoring baby and realized that any ideas of capturing his quaintness went away because ALL DOG BOOKS END WITH DEAD DOGS, so I was not going to do that.

So I am not.

I have three pretty lively dogs (who are now running from living room to guest room barking to let Mike know they want to be outside with him) who as of now have given us a pretty full book of stories, anectdotes and warnings. That is what I am doing...collecting, documenting and celebrating the dogs...the VERY MUCH ALIVE DOGS!

I am not in denial. I have put my childhood dog of 17 years to sleep....I have held our dying/dead cat while we rushed to see what help could be offered. I know it will happen. I noticed as of late I cannot look at animal carcasses on the road as I just see a little black body with a heart on his white chest, a black/greyish with a feathery tail or a little white body with a black spotted underbody. The day will come. Both Bo & Daisy have genetic issues with I am sure will shorten their lives. Luke has anxiety which I figure as it is with me, working against a longish lifespan! I am ready. Mike...not so much. He looked at a rarely peaceful Daisy one night as she napped...."I will not handle it well if she dies"....and got a bit weepy at the pre-thought.

As Mike & I walked the neighborhood tonight, there is a an older retriever dog who sits on his (not sure) porch and barks. I am not sure whether he is barking at us OR our loud dogs 3 houses down who were vehemently protesting being left at home. Either way, he made is way off of the porch down toward us only half heartedly barking. You could tell he was old & you could tell he was in pain. So I walked into the yard to meet him half way....and he sat & offered his head...which I duely appreciated. Then he waddled back up to the porch to await another emergency for him to check his yard. We were allowed to pass. For a few minutes we walked without talking....at least in my head I envisioned Bo being that infirm. Only probably barking more!

This collection is a celebration of who they are & the characters they have become in the drama of our lives! Remember, this is NOT A DOG BOOK!