The sweet baby dog is 4 today. Andrew came by and took him to the river for a swim - the equivalent to a day at the spa for us, or a night in a casino ... he's happy. He's such a great dog.
This was my first view of him - my son called from the Cape and asked me to bring a crate, a BIG crate with me. Oh boy - I knew that something was up. And then he sent a photo from his phone - an image of himself with a fluffy golden beauty on his lap. It was then that I KNEW life was about to change!
We had always had a golden retriever in our lives, luckily. Our last was Harley #1, and he was a prince of a dog. He embodied the very best that we know this breed to be - gentle, loyal, sweet natured, fun loving and eager to please - and always, right in the center of the family. A true tribal dog - a loving and trusting soul. This Harley was lucky enough to gain a second family when I could not care for him any longer, our situation had changed with the winds of divorce and my good friend Becky and her husband Tobias took him in and gave him a beautiful life. It was heart breaking to say goodbye, but I knew that my friends would be kind to him - that he would never lack for anything.
He had a long life and he was loved. But we never really got over having to give him up. Andrew was his 'boy' and my son struggled with the changes that included finding a new place for his dog.
This new puppy, this "Harley" was destined to make his way into our hearts. For the first year of his life both he and his master lived with me. Andrew was working a lot of night shifts as a career fire fighter, so Harley and I naturally bonded. He was a hand full - sometimes his energy and bad manners would make me weep with frustration! And I didn't appreciate the time that he dragged one of my quilts into his crate and devoured it. But I loved him and cared for him and when he and my son moved out, I was sad for a long time. There was a void that I could not fill.
Last year Harley returned when Andrew had his motorcycle accident. And he stayed. And we like it that way. So, Harley boy- happy birthday. You are a fixture here and we cannot imagine life without you. Many happy returns of your day!!
P.S. When I went out to the garden this morning I was shocked to discover that ALL of my broccoli plants were gone, as were my cauliflower and cabbage seedlings AND carrots AND parsley. And beans. In short - total devastation. I called Scott, wailing. Tonight he came home with fencing and steely determination. This is one event that we WILL succeed in winning. WATCH ...
Sometimes you notice that your best friend isn't feeling very happy. There are all kinds of signs - subtle and not so subtle. It could be the way that he holds his head on his paws. It could be the absence of a tail wag when you speak to him. You might notice that he isn't lying beside the sofa when you are watching 'House' reruns. He isn't waiting for the dregs of your Greek yoghurt container or the last bits of broccoli in the steamer. Mostly, it's in his expression - those liquid caramel eyes, that tell you - something is NOT RIGHT.
So I called (texted) my son and said - your dog misses you. And he came over, because he's the best son in the entire world. On almost any given day! I have to add this - Harley will not jump into the back seat of my CRV. Seriously. I have to lift his substantial girth - he places his front paws on the seat and the rest is up to me. But when His Boy came over (actually, His Man) he hopped to it! His was instant JOY. How he loves Andrew...
He'll jump any obstacle to be close to the One That He Loves.
Look at that face. Happiness. These two belong together, but Andrew has to work nights as a firefighter. It's not right to leave that golden dog alone for so many hours on end. So, we do the best that we can. And maybe one day, before you know it, Andrew's situation will change. From my mouth, to God's ears.
I've got something going - it's really pretty. More on this, tomorrow!
Weekends take on new meaning when one returns to the workplace. Suddenly it is paramount to leap from bed at the first sign of light. The early bird gets the worm, and all that. Bear with me, I promise to hit my working stride and stop whining about this. Soon.
There was a caravan on Saturday of minivans hailing from Jersey - a sure sign that autumn is arriving, and with it - the apple pickers. Our quiet country road becomes a freeway of impolite and ungracious drivers, each trying to beat the next to the orchards. There's enough for everyone, people. Please. Slow. Down. I'm walking here.
I've noticed that some of my favorite bloggers refer to their significant others in pseudonymous ways. I like this playful technique of protecting and keeping our family members anonymous. I've been pondering obscure tags for my partner, the Master of the Can-Do. He is one of those self-made renaissance types. He can build a heartbreakingly beautiful piece of furniture from a photograph - he can sleep an entire Sunday afternoon away. Secretly, I think his middle name should be 'Ready', because he is - for anything. Don't look for his picture here, both he and my son have ways of avoiding the camera lens. Speaking of my son, his is a toss up between The Enigmatic One and Mr. Mercurial! This is a young man whose career choice finds him running into burning buildings. We have called my lovely daughter The Bean since childhood, but when you see her you might agree that Hollywood is more to the point. She will let me know which she finds more offensive. Trust me, she WILL let me know!
Anyway, it was a lovely Saturday. Can-Do-Guy was refiguring a display piece that he had built originally to showcase my cinderella pumpkins and gourds. He is getting it ready for next week's charity golf outing/auction. The Enigmatic One came by on his rebuilt crotch rocket (shudders) and spent some time with his mother and his dog. The only one missing was The Bean. I keep waiting for her return. I never stop missing her.
Last spring I requested a new pergola to frame my long perennial border. I made a few short sketches and turned my back, knowing that the Can-Do-Guy would create something really special. I was careful to include my wish that this structure not overshadow the natural beauty of the existing stone walls and old-orchard landscape. What I received was what I now refer to as the Parthenon!!! Honestly, it's imperial, it's downright grandiloquent! Prudence is not in his vocabulary. Go large, or go home!
