Monday, October 26, 2009

The Best Dog in the World.


This was sent to me by Penni Adrian. I think it is beautiful. And, as Fig is Ian's "Best Dog, " and Duncan is Teddy's, I think there's a little brindled mismark waiting to be my new "Best Dog in the World."


Best Dog in the World
By T'Mara Goodsell

One's first love is always perfect until one meets one's second love.
~Elizabeth Aston

Years ago, I owned the very best dog in the world.

I was a child when we got her. She was a graceful brown hound, a foundling who taught me that our pets are not purchased, but ordained.

She romped when I did and knew how to smile in that funny way that only some dogs have. She grew up with me, always there when I needed her. My grown hand still remembers the sleek bump on the top of her head and that gentle divot just past her nose that fit my index finger just perfectly.

She passed away during one of my college vacations. My heart broke then, and I knew that there would never be another dog like her, and there hasn't been. I was sure that I could never love another dog as much as I'd loved her.

Fortunately, I was wrong about that part.

My next dog came into my life when I was married. My husband traveled for a living, and I was often lonely. This dog grew into a lumbering Wolfhound and Sheepdog mix who taught me patience. He was a large, grizzled sentry, that dog. He rarely left my side until the children were born, and then he became their guardian, too. I can still feel that swirl of fur along his back and the weight of his chin when it rested in my lap.

When he passed away, my heart broke. As much as I had loved that childhood dog, I had been wrong. This was the very best dog in the world. There would never be another dog like him, and there hasn't been. I was sure I would never love another dog as much as I'd loved him.

I was wrong again.

We got the next one, a loping black Lab-and-Terrier mix, when the children were little. He taught me the importance of adapting. He was everyone's dog from the beginning, and that was just as it should be. When he played tug of war with the children, he dragged them across the kitchen floor as they shrieked with laughter. He always seemed to sleep in the room of the child who needed his company the most.

These days his face is expressively gray, and he spends more time with me since the almost-grown children aren't around so much. The other day my oldest, home from college, played tug of war. We all laughed--just a little--as the dog was gently pulled across the kitchen floor.
He is, of course, the very best dog in the world. I will never forget that exquisitely soft tuft of fur behind his ears or the tickly feel when he nuzzles. There won't be another dog like him.

And that's okay, because we will never be at this point in our lives again.

Sometimes I've wondered why two species that get along so well should have such different life spans. It just doesn't seem right. And then I wonder if that's part of the lesson: To teach us that love itself has a spirit that returns again and again and never really dies.

It's amazing, in a way, how they bring to our ever-changing lives exactly what it is that we need at the moment. They make room for one another, this family of dogs who has never even met. And they fit--into our families, into our lives, into our memories, and into our hearts--because they always have been and always will be the best dogs in the world.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Maddie's Malaise.


My 15-year-old daughter, Maddie, has the Swine Flu. She's miserable. This picture was taken last weekend, she looks a hell of alot worse today. I PROMISED I wouldn't take a picture of her while she was sick. I hope my sons don't come down with it, although, the flu is more than welcome at my ex-husband's house. ;-)
There have been two school closures in nearby towns. It's a nasty bug.
<<>>, Mads.
Oh! Fig has learned that soda crackers left on a bedside tray are pretty tasty snacks.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Fig's Face...


Taken today on his BD.

Happy Birthday, Fig!



Happy Birthday, Fig, and to the rest of the "Tree" litter. We can't wait to party with Captain, and Sage this Sunday!

Monday, October 19, 2009

My Mother on her 80th BD.

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY, MOM. I COULD HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR A BETTER FRIEND. I LOVE YOU!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Watson Says.


Watson says, "See this cute nose, it's destined for great things."

The Dogs of Work

I am very fortunate that we are allowed to bring our dogs to work. Here's a short video starring Fig, Cane (long-haired chihuahua puppy), and Mr. Foo (toy poodle). Duncan was asleep under my desk. He thinks that playing with puppies is a waste of time.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Can You Tell the Difference?

Axel and Watson at approximately the same age. A bit surreal, no?



Blog Photo

I'm still learning how this whole blog thing works. I hope you like my "crazy dog lady" picture. It was taken years ago by my best friend Elizabeth "Weezie" Williams. We had just driven from Napa, to Weezie's house in Middleburg, VA. I felt compelled to mail things in my nightgown. All that's missing is, well, the dogs.

More later. This is fun! Thank you all for suggesting I start a blog.

Duncan

Here are some recent pictures of Duncan. I snagged them off of Trenton's blog. Thank you, Trenton. Dunc's getting a bit gray around the muzzle, as am I. He hates having his picture taken, really, he hides when he sees a camera. I'll try to get some better shots over the next few days. He is one of the dearest dogs I've ever know, and is my daughter, Teddy's, heart dog. He misses her so when she's at school.









It was VERY hot the day these were taken.





Happy Birthday, Watson!

Happy three-week birthday! I can't wait until you come "home." So many wonderful things await you, we will have some excellent adventures together. Fig, and Duncan can't wait to meet you as well.

Friday, October 9, 2009

First Blog

Hi,

OK, here goes, my first blog post. I have no pictures (yet), but I just thought I'd give this try.

I hope this works!