A tale (tail?) of two dogs!

     Kaia loved the truck. Open the door and she's bound from the ground to the seat. While the truck rolled, she wriggled and moved with excitement splashing everything with dog slobber. A hand placed on her would calm her a little.

   Then there's Odie. Prior to his coming to me all of his rides had been in a crate in the back of a truck. During his first ride on a truck seat, he was obviously mystified. Mostly he lay anxiously with an occasional peek out the window. Entering required my help. With his front paws on the door sill, I'd boost him up to the seat. After a few rides he evidenced his comfort on the ride settling down to lie contentedly. Today, after completing our daily walk, when I opened the door of the truck he jumped to the floor and up unto the seat.  His face said, "I can do this". From that perch he looked proudly at me as I entered.

Takk for alt,

Al

Rest in peace, good and faithful dog, Kaia.

Things Happen, department.

        A few weeks ago, driving US 14, from the OFH to The Little House, a rock from a gravel truck struck my windshield. It caused a little chip in the lower lefthand corner. That morphed into a crack which eventually became a foot long. Collecting on insurance took some twists and turns, "take four pictures..." the difficulty of which was a weak cell phone connection. Finally, I was directed to the auto body shop of my choice in Brookings. Then a wait ensued while the proper windshield was delivered. Today was to be installation day, 'was' is the operative word here.

     Delivering the car at the appointed 8:00 am hour, I was given keys to a loaner car. Heading for Chicago in the rental car...or Sinai which ever was closer, I settled in to wait for an "all done" call, predicted for mid-afternoon. Windshield replacements now have to be 'calibrated.'  At noon the body shop called to report that the replacement window was defective, thus couldn't be used. Returning from Chicago, or Sinai, a new appointment was scheduled for next Monday...8:00 am of course. This then falls into the category of, THINGS HAPPEN!

   So why suggest heading for Chicago?  While living in Golden Valley, MN., I habited a small, locally owned car repair shop near my work. They had one older car they used as a loaner. Once a customer was given the keys to this loaner. When they called him to report that his car was ready for pick up he replied, "It will take me a little while to get there because I'm in Chicago." This is true and Chicago was 500+ miles away. 

Takk for alt,

Al

Today's random picture is of Joanne with her late sister, Mary, and brother, Mark, at the time of our 50th wedding anniversary.

 

Life In Sinai!

         Odie and I were headed for some exercise. Upon opening the door of the truck, I saw something on the seat. It was a loaf of zucchini bread, fresh from the oven, and a jar of peach/rhubarb jam. Knowing the likely suspect, the rhubarb came from the large rhubarb patch in the backyard of The Little House. She's been given unlimited access to it. She's also the town's quintessential good neighbor. Many other town occupants are frequent recipients of her largess. It adds sweetness to residing here.

    Joanne frequently distributed from her baking to neighbors in each place we lived. New residents in her proximity were treated to a care package from her containing something she'd baked. She certainly lived generously.

Takk for alt,

Al

 

Sunset over the Aegean Sea.

Now what?

         Recent posts have been all about Odie.  Yes, I'm besotted.  Now what? More about Odie, or move on to a new topic? Well...let's stay with Odie. He was sort of leash trained when he came to me. Previous owner, Terry, warned me not to let him off leash too early. He said that Odie might think he'd been kidnapped and head for his old home. That means that our daily walks have been on a short leash.

     Because he wasn't well leashed trained, our walks have been leash training. He's responding so well that when I walked to the truck with him on a retractable leash he stayed right by my side. It won't be long until he can run freely in the field.

   One of these days I'll think of a new topic.

Takk for alt,

Al

In repose near a toy.

Flying Colors!

        Today was the day for Odin, aka Odie, to meet a new vet. He's a very solid 36lbs. The vet poked, prodded, manipulated, looked and injected. Odie disliked the nose vaccine the most. He didn't even flinch for the injections. The vet reports no arthritis, heart and lungs sound good, good teeth with one chip, and perfect ears. Ears are amazing because Spaniels are prone to ear problems. Their floppy ears trap moisture which can lead to problems.  The vet's summary: "He's obviously been well cared for and he's an excellent dog."  Think I'll keep him. Proud papa.

Takk for alt,

Al

Today's quote: “Monsters exist, but they are too few in numbers to be truly dangerous. More dangerous are [those] ready to believe and act without asking questions.” Primo Levi, Holocaust Survivor 

Odie at rest after what, seems to me, endless games of fetch.

The Other Reader Asked!

       The other reader asked a very good question. The question was about Odie. "Why was an 8-year-old dog for sale?"  There was so much dog conversation at the kennel that I'm not absolutely sure what I'm about write is correct, but I think it is.

     Odie was sold to a person who had a medical crisis and couldn't care for him. It's the custom of reputable kennels to re-claim the dog in such circumstances, so back he went. Terry, the owner of the kennel provided guide service for pheasant hunters and Odie accompanied the hunts. Now Terry no longer offers guide service, so Odie had no role to play. Consequently, I was the lucky buyer.

    Odie is my eighth Spring Spaniel.  They arrived a variety of ages from puppy to Odie at eight. He's the only one whose been very playful at older middle age. Almost every waking moment he's carrying something hoping to play. Usually, he carries a chew toy, but if he's ignored, he'll take a slipper, book, etc. until he gets attention.

Takk for alt,

Al

PS Whooo hooo it's raining!

Odie chew toy in mouth, "let's play"!

"A man and his dog...."

    "Read A Man and His Dog by Katherine Mansfield. Full text of this classic short story, free to read online at American Literature."  Have either of you read this story?  I haven't but I'm living it. Odie and I do some circumambulating the cemetery every morning. This, largely black, dog gets hot very quickly, so we don't stay too long. Frequent bouts of fetch in the air-conditioned house supplement his daily exercise regime. 

    It's a steep learning curve for an older dog. Out of a kennel into a strange home, a new owner, and today he had his first ride on the seat of a truck. His response seemed, "this is different, but I could get used to it." Possible anthropomorphizing here. Chickens across the street tempting him. Lots of new experiences but he's a happy boy.

   This hot weather keeps us inside more. But he's not ready to be off leash in the field yet. He may think he's been kidnapped and head for his former home. The time will come that he can run freely while I attend to duties in the field.

Takk for alt,

Al

After playing fetch.

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