You would be 78. I miss you! I feel you in so much of my life. Fewer broken pieces. More long range puzzles. Zen sorts itself out. The hummingbirds shrill at the puppy.
That’s new this year. Dr. Rock and I got a puppy last Christmas. If it were the family of a patient of yours, I’d have iced over in disdain at the cliche- and hidden that. Perhaps I would not have even known how to feel about it until your smile or lack thereof cued me. Well, my feelings around the puppy have been identifiable and achingly pedestrian. Enthralled by his babyness, otherwise walled off a little, learning to keep him alive. Then learning to keep everyone else alive. Frustration (POOP, pee, ENErgY) tempered by ingratiation. I think I’m using that word right. Moved further and further by how much he needed me then, and now by how much he has learned.
I called him Potato at first. Because of his stubby fur and basic uselessness. He’s graduated to Biscuits now with his golden brown brindle and matching eyes. He’s learning more every day -how to pee outside on bushes (he’s getting very good at it!), how to stop in the hallway and turn around instead of chasing Cassie off her extra toes (getting better!), how to walk nice on a loose leash (with Chowder and treats), how to wiggle his butt instead of jumping on people (five stars). He is VERY good at barking extremely loud at pretty little girl dogs (actual little dogs) or golf carts or lawnmowers. I would not mind if he got a little less operatic in his vocalizations.
Bongo is a pitbull from a backyard in San Bernadino. Doc Rock and I had gone to the shelters advertising puppies, but one had no puppies, and the next was closing suddenly midday with no explanation by the time we arrived. We found Bongo on Craigslist. The humans were into customizing cars; parked in pride of place stood a GTO painted to look like Etruscan marble. He was one of 8 puppies. His whole body fit in both my hands. He slept nestled the entire way home. 2 hours.
Matt Groening has a comic strip called Life In Hell. Binky is a confused adult rabbit negotiating work/money/wants/perils with his rabbit girlfriend Sheba and the rabbit child, Bongo. A one-eared rabbit-child stumbling through Hell.. Bongo is never clearly designated as Binky’s son. Many many years ago, Doc Rock gave me a big hardbound copy of the book Bongo’s Guide To Love. I kept it forever and gave it Doc Wilson when I moved away. Bongo the puppy also has one ear that stands up on the top of his head. It never came down. Continuing my collection of original models (polydactyl Cassie, toothless Bart, Chowder the rescue…. me the rescue). His one ear flops over the top of his head. Straight out of central casting.
Bongo is not yet neutered, which has been wild. I’ve never not immediately neutered a pet (if indeed it wasn’t already). Although I remember Doc Dad often “let” the cats go through a cycle or two of pregnancy just to get the kittens. Anyway, when it comes to bully breeds, you’re supposed to let them reach 1yr/60% of their adult weight before interrupting the testosterone or estrogen by fixing them, since they are prone to osteoarthritis otherwise. His birthday is Halloween! Two months to go.
We did a puppy canine citizen class once he was five months. Then two rounds of six-week Woofpack Classes to expand on his obedience and socialization. He also goes to day care a few mornings a week, playing with same dogs and under the same trainers at a nice place right down the road from us. He loves it.
Bongo’s a real natural at agility. He’s more than 60lbs now and taller than Chowder, he’s able to jump right over the furniture without banging into or breaking anything. We practice Touch, which teaches him to put his nose on my palm wherever I’m holding it. This is foundation for Front, Back, Side, Get In, which are the building blocks of agility. With those commands, I can send him scaling the top of a mound or weaving through poles (eventually). And he loves to prance and interact and dance. I liked puppy class, but I love agility. It’s deepening the language between me and him and a great chance to focus on his strengths and enjoy his abilities.
Bonding.
He’s such a wigglebutt.
He falls asleep with those deep puffs of peaceful breathing you described listening to when I was a baby. And when I come home, or pick him up, or he wakes up, he vibrates with joy, whipping his tail and running through my legs. The happiest baby face.
I’m sorry you can’t see us, but of course you can. Of course you do.
I love you, Mom. I hope you’re peaceful, and I am grateful for the peace and grace you bring us. Happy birthday.
Beautiful 💖 I was just thinking that my mom never got to meet Wabuu.
PS. There is a hallmark movie about a woman adopting a dog so she can enter it in an agility competition. She falls in love with the guy helping her train the puppy.
Thank you for this.