What difference does a name make?

I can't change Oliver the bird's name, he knows it. Oliver the dog probably knows his too. Really, with animals a name is just something we use to focus our energy on one being or another. But, MY energy knows the bird and the dog as Oliver, and changing one or the other would confuse me, maybe them, and maybe the entire pack.

Besides, they are both Oliver. I knew who Oliver the dog was the moment I thought about it. Oliver the parrot is already aware that the spoken word Oliver means him, just as he is sure that SLIM means any dog being, and meow means a cat.

Now either of them would be able to adapt to a name change, but I'm not sure I could.

Eerie Dog Story Told by a Parrot

Oliver, the African Grey, is getting acclimated to the house. He is talking a lot more, but still will not speak when I'm in the room.

Today I let the dogs in for their breakfast, and left both doors open so Oliver could observe the sights and sounds of the rowdy pack. After everyone was settled, I gave Oliver his morning peanut and went to sit down at the computer.

After a minute I heard a gruff mans voice saying "Slim, slim, get over here" followed by a whistle. After that went on for a bit the mans' voice said "Slim, sit, SIT DAMMIT" followed by a dog's whine. My dog's weren't whining or talking, it was Oliver, telling us all a story from his past.

Oliver also meows at the cat, cackles when she runs out of the room and says "where'd you go?"

I'm glad he's with us now, and I hope his new doggy tales are happier ones.

Cable Guy

Where to put the dogs when all that drilling and wiring is going on. It may be a good day to go visit Grandma and Grandpa.....

Little Dog Lost

A puppy followed my father home today. This threw the entire family, two households in a quandry, but I didn't put the puppy in my backyard. Eventually a neighbor lady with kids took it-he was a young lab, just as sweet as could be, and I'm glad it ended well.

I stopped in the first place because my parent's door and windows were shut up tight at 10 am, not a usual thing. I saw the puppy on the porch and imagined he was the cause, but I needed to be sure.

I don't want to be critical of my parents, but the door closed made me sad. It was saying "there is nothing I can do," but in my world, there is always something you can do. Even if its to give the dog a ride to the local animal shelter.

I know of two other houses that were watching the dog, not wanting it to get hurt, but not wanting to take it in. I had made up my mind that by this evening it would have shelter and food, then I would drive it to the shelter tomorrow.

Isolation?

Bitty has taken to secluding herself in the round pen any time she goes into the backyard. The trouble is, she can't figure out how to open it back up when she wants to come into the house. I have to walk out and set her free.

But, I love how she loves her own little fenced area. It keeps the rowdy young dogs away from her. She can observe, but not participate, which is how she rolls through life. And that's really ok. I just wish she could figure out how to open the gate so I wouldn't have to go get her when I let the dogs in.

I could take the gate off, but that wouldn't keep the others out. I could move the pen closer to the house, but it's in the optimal sunny spot. I am the one who started it. I drove to Texas to pick up an old spinster dog, I set up a round pen cause I thought she might like it. And she does.

I don't really question why I take care of some old dog I didn't even know 6 months ago. And that's how I roll. We are quite a pair.

Contrast

This is Nellie-she lives in Texas now, but for awhile she lived with Dottie and me.

I miss her.

Am I drawn to things I miss right now or is there something more?

Dottie/Nellie-gone but not gone

Maybe there is no difference.