Holding a Puppy

Greta and I were outside tending to some chores and the 3 next door neighbor schnauzers were shrieking at us as usual. We wandered over (their yard edges our driveway) to have a little communal sniff and practice not barking (at least on Greta's part). The neighbors came out and I asked about the littlest one.

Yes, they admitted they have a new addition-born in October. She is a glorious chocolate colored schnauzer. Now, I don't know if AKC approves of that color, and I don't care. They let me hold that baby and the puppy magic happened. I think I almost lactated.

Unfortunately, it's this same puppy magic that fades and ends up in dogs being rehomed-so it's a dangerous sort of magic at best.

Now I'm watching Cody snooze in the afternoon sun (Greta is on the dog couch behind me, and the spotties are in Oklahoma, probably taking their afternoon nap). Cody was a purchase, not a rescue, but he's at the age (2) where the new wears off....and I just don't get it. Who could resist watching such a gorgeous little dog snooze in the sun, flicking his ears. His brindle coat is a work of art in the sunlight. His crooked blaze, from this angle, makes his nose look like it's on the side of his face. What perfection.

There is the rush of warmth you get from holding a puppy and rush of warmth you get holding a dear old friend. When I set out to sort out things for Uncle John last summer, I took Dottie with me. She calmly went in, set up her command post in the best chair amid the chaos, and made a dreadful situation much much better with her presence. At the age of 7 she found a new calling as a great Diva of the Nursing homes. A puppy would have been too much for the situation, it required the wisdom of an elderly genius.

My wish for today is that all dogs, old and young, be appreciated for the wonders that they truly are.