June 5, 2023

 

"It's 8:30 on Monday night and we're STILL waiting for dinner," Zsofia complained. "Why are you just sitting here, Dad?"

"The spinach is wilted but we're waiting for the lentils to get softer. Then they must be mixed and the chopped tomatoes and parmesan must be added. You wanted to share, right? Well then you must be patient," I explained.

"Dad, could we have ice cream first?" Diva suggested. The rest of the WDA quickly picked up her plea. "Um, no. If I share ice cream it will be AFTER dinner, just like always," I disappointed them. Just then the timer sounded in the kitchen prompting me and my cadre of tasters to head off to check for lentil softness."

June 4, 2023

Today was a difficult day and a good day for me. I attended the first Paws To People event without my partner of 44 years who originally developed the concept for our nonprofit. I am carrying on our tradition of education at this event as Sue would have wanted it to be done. Paws To People has been in existence for ten years, and I am compelled to become its frontman and spokesman. 

Thanks to Fat Katz for organizing and sponsoring the event. Paws To People has held many such events in the past, and so I know how much work happens behind the scenes to make a successful event. Even so, I returned to the house afterward and just sat in a chair for a while to restore my depleted reserves. The entire White Dog Army was very well behaved in my absence, and I am appreciative of each of them as well.

June 3, 2023

Always the thinking boy, Roman has found a way to keep watch through the windows without leaving the coolest spot in the living room. From his comfy position, My Boy can see clearly out of the front windows; Hazel and Diva provide closeup confirmation from their positions in the watching chairs.

June 2, 2023

 

The White Dog Army has decided that I'm not getting enough fresh air and vitamin D. "You spend too much time cooped up in the office staring at the computer," Lilly told him this morning. "We have decided that we'll all take you outside for twenty minutes every day. You can sit in a chair in the sunlight, take a nap, walk around the yard, toss the ball for us. The point is to be outside," Zsofia continued. "You will see it will make a big difference in your mental health to just change your routine," Roman finished. "It does for me."

The Army gathered in the office to nudge me toward the door about 5:30 this evening. "Treats when we return," Bailey called over her shoulder. Diva ran past and through the dog door to catch up with the others. 

I was heading for the chair on the paved area but Opal called me to the back of the yard. "Dad, come see these pretty little purple flowers!" 

I heard her and hustled over to where she stood. "Horse nettles," I said darkly. "These must go right away. Let me get my gloves and the weed burner. Every pup stay away from these and any others you find." Opal looked at Zso sadly. "What did I do wrong?" she asked her sister. "This is not what we had planned."

"Horse nettle stings and are poisonous. Years ago I scorched the yard to get rid of it because Ferguson almost died from eating it. It's nearly impossible to kill them since it grows all over the neighborhood and spreads through its roots." Zso turned to all of the others who had gathered. "This is serious stuff, if you find any, let me know ASAP. I'll be out here every day on the hunt. Opal, you are a hero for finding this."

June 1, 2023

 Zsofia Marie, international Husky of intrigue, stalks the arrival of June. 

And so we have arrived at June. Summer is creeping, or in some cases striding, across the land. And already...The very spirit of summer breathes today, here where I sun myself in a dreamy mood in our back yard while the birds sing and the dogs sniff out the good smells of greenery grown from the recent rains.

May 31, 2023

 

Opal was enjoying some dad time having her legs massaged and tummy rubbed. She was nearly asleep when I felt the "plop" and the other side of the bed. Opal sighed, "It never fails if someone is getting extra attention and Diva finds out she pushes her way in."

I continued stroking my little girl's hips. "Just ignore her; she's watching birds out the window. There is plenty of room up here. She can have my focus when we are done but I bet she'll get bored and go in search of Lilly first."

May 30, 2023

 

"Look, Dad, all of the flowers on our Desert Bird of Paradise shrub have burst into bloom! They're so pretty. I would love to just rest under the branches and watch the hummingbirds and the butterflies visit but the ants also seem to like it and they crawl into my furs. Maybe I'll come up by you and watch from the deck."

May 29, 2023

Dearest reader: I've had over a month of health challenges, but all things pass and I am back to a state of health and am able to concentrate on important things like this blog. Sue never missed a day of writing, but my life has been a little chaotic with the aforementioned health challenges and doctor appointments. If chaos has the ability to provide meaning to life, my life is truly imbued with meaning.

The best thing about returning to a state of health is that life looks so much more amazing and full of color. Living a life in color for me means loving and appreciating every aspect of life, being free from judgement, and above all else - being happy.

All of the members of the White Dog Army are well and they have been a continuous joy and comfort to me as have many friends who have provided so much support. There is more to come for me, such as my hip surgery that is now scheduled for August 24, but please know that I will not be deterred from writing to you. This blog belongs to you as much as it did to Sue. You are appreciated and loved. 

Here is a photo of Shayna enjoying an afternoon sunshine break in the yard. She loves her toys so much that she brings them outside with her.

April 17, 2023

It often happens in the White Dog Army that clamoring desire is based not so much on need but rather, on the fact that the others are getting something that MAY be delicious.

Diva did not come from a background of culinary diversity. Her true desires run along more traditional dog "likes:" bits of hot dog, soft duck chews, chicken from my dinner plate. To her credit, she will try new options...especially if the rest of the WDA excitedly accepts what is being offered. She has learned to accept and munch away at Diva-size appropriate baby brussels sprouts which are a family favorite, for example. 

Not to be left out Diva also accepts tidbits she is not so sure of, like this morning's blueberry. While this fruit is a key ingredient in our homemade food, THOSE blueberries are mushed up in the food processor and thus have a different texture and initial taste.

Diva sat next to me as we all shared my morning fruit. She politely accepted her blue globe and enjoyed batting it around as the others gobbled theirs. After breakfast she moved to the office recliner to supervise my work. The blueberry was gone and I assumed she finally ate it.

It was not until she jumped down from the chair to join the WDA song to the mail carrier that I discovered that Diva had been roosting on the morning blueberry. Even though she did not want the fruit, she cleverly protected it under her body in case of a change of mind...or maybe as a guard against starvation should real treats get hijacked.

April 15, 2023

"Dad, I'm so disappointed. You promised me a spa day today, and you spent the day and night sitting at your computer. This was a really boring weekend. I can't believe you've worked for twenty hours across the two days! At least you fed us breakfast and dinner." sighed Zsofia.

"Well girls, I had a deadline for Friday at the end of the work day to finish my project (90% complete turn-in), but my team had not finished their work. Yes, this included me. I spent the entire weekend working on the project. In addition, I had to load a computer with software for a new employee who is starting her first professional job just weeks before graduating with her Masters Degree. Now, I must work just a few hours more on Monday morning to meet our extended deadline of noon. Don't worry, I will feed you breakfast as well."

Bailey joined in the complaint session, "Dad, we didn't even play in the back yard for more than a half-hour today. How do you expect us girls to stay fit and trim?"