Took Holly for a LONG walk. A little off-leash run in the park was part of it.
It’s so very satisfying to be an animal with an animal.
I love how she seeks the shade, how she goes straight for grass or dirt, when we’re on a sidewalk on a hot day. I love her delight in jumping through a meadow of uncut grass and flowers, leaping in pure puppy joy! I love her sweet almond-shaped eyes, giving me the same half-closed look my daughter used to give me, when she (my daughter) was three months old, well-fed, warm, and content in my arms. I love how she (my puppy) snuffles my hand, when I talk to her, and hold a tiny bit of a treat to remind her to heel. She does, and gets her treat.
Did I think about my upcoming work during this walk? No!
Did I think about profound matters pertaining to humankind? Of course not!
Did I think about my family, my students, my friends, my colleagues? Hah! Not on your life!
I thought about nothing at all. I was totally there, being a dog with a dog, and being a mommy to the dog.
We stopped halfway and found a little convenience store. I asked the man through his kitchen window, whether he could spare a cup of water from the tap. He did, and Holly got a nice drink. Waves of bliss emanated from her ears.
It’s very … nice. It’s sweet to see a dog drinking water. Am I besotted? Still? You bet!
Now, we’re home, an hour later, and we’re both so very glad to be here! Our kitchen is cool, and she’s just lapped up a long drink, eaten a few pieces of apple and blueberries (yes, she loves fruit), and flopped down on the cool floor.
My little family has just returned from my daughter’s swim class. Holly is thrilled. She is happiest when we’re all there with her, happiest to be with her little clan. After her ecstatic greeting of S, whose long braids are wet from the pool, and which Holly loves to tug, our puppy goes back to flop down, sack-like (thanks, Ted Hughes for that inimitable phrase, “Sack of snoring dog,” which my husband, daughter and I routinely use, except we’ve mistakenly been saying, “sack of sleeping dog”).
Now, I’m off to water the tiny bean plants coming up, which I planted last week.
Have a lovely Saturday, y’all!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________