Girls Girls Girls

You know how, sometimes, you will be in a strange place - maybe even a different state - and you run into somebody you know? It's fun, seeing somebody all out-of-context like that. If you like them, I bet you wish you could wag your tail.

That happened to my Mom yesterday. There she was, at the grocery store in her small town in Florida, mid-way through her beach vaycay, when someone called her name. It was our neighbor! Turns out, she is staying not far from my Mom. Neighbors in Atlanta, and now for July, neighbors in Florida.

It kinda feels like that every day for me. I never know who I might see when walking the 'hood. Still getting over that extended cooped-up time when I was getting my heartworm treatment (8 weeks of isolation! And me, a young boxer!), every excursion is a treat. My longer-term memory isn't the best, so every sighting is a surprise. I never know who I might see, or whose smells I might catch as having covered the path before me. It's fun to collect all that information.

I also get visitors at home, and different ones than when Mom is around. While my family is gone, I have had 3 sitters! Neighbor dogs, when they see me, wiggle with jealousy and curiosity - trying to sniff out who all these women are. I reveal nothing. Let them think I have a harem, I say.

The truth is, I am SO grateful for the continuity my girls (that's how I think of them) provide. Instead of brooding about my missing brood, I get to enjoy all these different and fun people. I'll tell you about them each - just don't tell the neighbor dogs they're paid (it will destroy the mystery.)

Laurie gets me everyday for my midday walk. She is super-reliable, super-friendly, and I just love how she calls me "Rocketman." It makes me feel all tough, like a super-hero.

Michelle came for recent overnights... it was her first time staying with me and I broke her in. (I can't be certain she was prepared for all my energy! It was fun watching her jump to respond to me!)

Finally, there is Catherine. O! How I love Catherine. I might write her poetry if I could figure out how to hold a pencil. She takes me on hikes and overnights and pretends I am her own. I hear she even talks about me... and? She is supposed to be taking me to Florida to visit my People!

I can hardly wait to find out who I see tomorrow, and what's in store for me then!