There is a current television show by the title of How I Met Your Mother. I have not watched this program, but assume it is a comedy. This morning I found myself thinking about my brother Gene. Recently his wife of 58 years told me how they met. I found the story interesting and revealing.
When they were both in high school in our small town of Harlan, they both happened to be in separate groups of walkers. She was with two girls and he with a couple of friends. The place where they were walking was on a high part of town called Ivy Hill. They did not know each other,even though they both were in the same high school. The group began to talk to each other when they met on this popular place to visit. After some conversation the girls walked on ahead of them. At some point later my brother apparently had a chance to talk to her privately. He said "I notice you are wearing a ring, whose ring is it"? She told him. He replied, "Well if you ever decide to take it off, let me know". She said she went home, took off the ring and told her brother to take it to the owner. Two days later Gene and Jet went on their first date to a sports event at their school. I thought it was clever of him to use this open ended approach.
My own daughter met her husband when she was a student at Emory U. in Atlanta. She had a job in a large department store where he was manager of the Sports department. He would stop by and talk to her at her counter. Sparks began to fly and after a two year courtship, they began a marriage which is still alive and well today.
My mother met my father when they were both working in the offices of the National Biscuit Company in Louisville, Ky. This was in the early 1900's and the one telephone was in his office, apparently by his desk. She was interested in knowing him better so she made excuses to go there to use the telephone. She twisted the cord and took time to untwist it. By her own admission she prolonged these phone calls in order to engage him in conversation. Apparently he was intrigued with this young lady four years his junior. They were married in November of 1909 in a Lutheran Church in Louisville, Ky. Eight children and 44 years later he was taken in death. He knew he did not have long and told my mother he did not want to die. He said he was afraid the children might need him. He took his parenting very seriously.
Rufus J. Bailey, my brother-in-law was busy teaching in a one room school house; he was unaware that he was about to meet his life partner. The year was around 1930. My sister and a friend had heard there was a new teacher in the area. They were both teachers in a school near there. Being curious the two of them walked to his school and went inside to get a look at this young man. It may be that it was at the end of the day but students were still there. He quickly dismissed them and greeted his visitors. When he learned that Katrine's father sat on the school board it must have peaked his interest. It could have been her personality of course. She was a unique person unafraid to speak her mind, also a beautiful young lady. Their courtship lasted for 8 years. They were married from 1938 until 1981. They died 6 months apart. That marriage is another long story part of which is in a book they both wrote. This book "Black Diamonds in My Own Back Yard", was about mine safety in Ky.
My sister Ruth met her husband when he visited our home with our brother. They both served in the military during World War II. Apparently he came back often as they were married in December of 1948. George loved our family. He had lost his parents early in life and our bustling family was just what the doctor ordered for him. Their marriage lasted until he was taken in death four decades later.
I met my own husband in a college classroom. It was nearing Thanksgiving and our professor asked us how we felt about changing our schedule to have a longer holiday. Everyone was speaking up and giving their opinion. I spoke up too and said " Either way is fine with me, I do not care." Then I heard an angry voice from the back of the class. "Well, it may not matter to you but some of us have a long way to travel home and it matters to us". I turned around to see who this angry person was. I saw a dark haired young man who did not look happy. I kept quiet after that. We took our holiday home and I was returning on a bus. I was headed for the back of the bus where my group of home town friends were sitting. I looked forward to reuniting with him. As I walked back I saw this young man whom I had made so angry. He was sitting all alone with an empty seat beside him. After making him so angry I could not in good conscience pass him by and go on to my friends. So, I took the empty seat and we had several hours to get acquainted. Park of the time I fell asleep. But on this trip he asked me if I would go out with him sometime. I said "yes". He replied, "do you really mean it? Some girls will say yes but they do not mean it." He had me pegged ! After a two year courtship and with graduation behind us we were married.
Interestingly enough, we never quarrelled after we were married. We had a peaceful marriage until he was taken in death due to a tragic car accident. Did this marriage come about because I did not want to be rude and pass by this young man on the bus. There is no way to know.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Kids Say and Dogs Do
Having two dogs in my care for a week gives me an opportunity to observe their behavior up close and personal. They communicate with body language. I often wonder what they would say if they could speak in my language. With kids however they use all means available to communicate. Sometimes it can be pleasing and sometimes comical.
I have noticed a new behavior in Rocky, the rescue dog. When I let him out he does not want to come right back in. I notice he likes to lie down in front of the closed storm door. I just left him there and he was quite content to just recline there, surveying his surroundings. I have noticed that Cujo sometimes wants to watch what is going on outside, although when it is hot he is happy to come into a cool house. Since they spend their time indoors just lying around it does not seem that big a change to me.
Kids are quick to let you know what they want from very early on. Mothers know that when a baby cries he needs something, usually milk. But it can be a frantic effort if a mother cannot quickly ascertain why her baby is crying. That is why mothers dread a colicky baby. A friend once told me of her experiences with a new baby. Her baby was crying constantly. Her mother came over to lend a hand. She took the baby and wrapped it up in a soft receiving blanket and the baby stopped crying immediately. You may have noticed in a hospital nursery the babies are "bundled". I think it is because in the womb babies are in a specified area, by bundling them you mimic that environment which they were accustomed to. Thus they feel safe.
When children have begun talking it is easier to understand their needs and things go more peacefully. In most families there is a story to tell of how one of the children used this tool of communication. I got my name from my first grandchild. He was watching out the window for my arrival when he was around two years of age. He ran to his mother and said "Bubbie is here". I have been Bubbie ever since.
My own son delighted us all by saying " I'm full of injury". He had picked up on my comment that he was full of energy. In turn many years later his son delighted me with a rhyming jingle. He was around age 4 or 5 and I was taking him to the movies. We were both in a holiday mood. As we walked from my car to the theater ticket booth we were holding hands. I began to sing a quickly made up ditty, while swinging our hands back and forth. "You're my buddy, you're my pal". Quick as a wink he came back in the same tune, "You're my girl friend, you're my gal". He has no doubt long forgotten this incident. But I have not. I was delighted that he could respond in such way. I thought it showed intelligence and surprising adaptability to a new situation.
Sometimes a child's actions will speak volumes without speaking one word. Many years ago when I was a first grade classroom teacher, a new student came to our school. I was told he was in the school office and would I come and get him. When I arrived he had crawled under a chair and no one could entice him to leave the spot. I sat down on a chair near him and began to talk to him. I explained who I was and what was going on down in my classroom. His mother had enrolled him and left as she had a job to go to. He was trying to protect himself from any further insults by hiding under a chair. I was able to gently and casually get him to go with me to see what the children were doing in our classroom. When we came to my room he did not want to come inside. I told him that was okay, as I would bring his desk out in the hall. I put his desk where he could observe what was happening inside and as time went by I would walk by his desk and say a word or two to him, just as I was circulating inside the room.
At some point as I came by his desk I asked him how he was going home at the end of the day.I needed to know if someone was picking him up or if he was going home by bus. He tearfully said he did not know. I said "Well, don't you worry about it. If need be, I can take you home myself in my car". Without one word, he stood up and walked into my classroom. Actually I knew some other option was open to him but he needed reassurance that he had not been abandoned.
About this same student I learned later that he and his mother were homeless and had been living in her car. She had just found shelter with a family member and had gone out looking for work. No doubt, she had so much on her mind that she did not consider the anguish her small boy was experiencing . Perhaps if she had not rushed away without meeting his teacher the transfer could have been much different.
Years earlier I got a surprising response from a young student. He was a very confident young man and diligent in his work patterns. I paid him a high compliment one day and told him if he ever ran for president I would vote for him. He said, "You would be dead by then". At the time I was 50 with no plans for an early demise. I wonder what happened to this capable young man.
I can conclude by stating, don't count out dogs or children as one never knows what they will say or do.
I have noticed a new behavior in Rocky, the rescue dog. When I let him out he does not want to come right back in. I notice he likes to lie down in front of the closed storm door. I just left him there and he was quite content to just recline there, surveying his surroundings. I have noticed that Cujo sometimes wants to watch what is going on outside, although when it is hot he is happy to come into a cool house. Since they spend their time indoors just lying around it does not seem that big a change to me.
Kids are quick to let you know what they want from very early on. Mothers know that when a baby cries he needs something, usually milk. But it can be a frantic effort if a mother cannot quickly ascertain why her baby is crying. That is why mothers dread a colicky baby. A friend once told me of her experiences with a new baby. Her baby was crying constantly. Her mother came over to lend a hand. She took the baby and wrapped it up in a soft receiving blanket and the baby stopped crying immediately. You may have noticed in a hospital nursery the babies are "bundled". I think it is because in the womb babies are in a specified area, by bundling them you mimic that environment which they were accustomed to. Thus they feel safe.
When children have begun talking it is easier to understand their needs and things go more peacefully. In most families there is a story to tell of how one of the children used this tool of communication. I got my name from my first grandchild. He was watching out the window for my arrival when he was around two years of age. He ran to his mother and said "Bubbie is here". I have been Bubbie ever since.
My own son delighted us all by saying " I'm full of injury". He had picked up on my comment that he was full of energy. In turn many years later his son delighted me with a rhyming jingle. He was around age 4 or 5 and I was taking him to the movies. We were both in a holiday mood. As we walked from my car to the theater ticket booth we were holding hands. I began to sing a quickly made up ditty, while swinging our hands back and forth. "You're my buddy, you're my pal". Quick as a wink he came back in the same tune, "You're my girl friend, you're my gal". He has no doubt long forgotten this incident. But I have not. I was delighted that he could respond in such way. I thought it showed intelligence and surprising adaptability to a new situation.
Sometimes a child's actions will speak volumes without speaking one word. Many years ago when I was a first grade classroom teacher, a new student came to our school. I was told he was in the school office and would I come and get him. When I arrived he had crawled under a chair and no one could entice him to leave the spot. I sat down on a chair near him and began to talk to him. I explained who I was and what was going on down in my classroom. His mother had enrolled him and left as she had a job to go to. He was trying to protect himself from any further insults by hiding under a chair. I was able to gently and casually get him to go with me to see what the children were doing in our classroom. When we came to my room he did not want to come inside. I told him that was okay, as I would bring his desk out in the hall. I put his desk where he could observe what was happening inside and as time went by I would walk by his desk and say a word or two to him, just as I was circulating inside the room.
At some point as I came by his desk I asked him how he was going home at the end of the day.I needed to know if someone was picking him up or if he was going home by bus. He tearfully said he did not know. I said "Well, don't you worry about it. If need be, I can take you home myself in my car". Without one word, he stood up and walked into my classroom. Actually I knew some other option was open to him but he needed reassurance that he had not been abandoned.
About this same student I learned later that he and his mother were homeless and had been living in her car. She had just found shelter with a family member and had gone out looking for work. No doubt, she had so much on her mind that she did not consider the anguish her small boy was experiencing . Perhaps if she had not rushed away without meeting his teacher the transfer could have been much different.
Years earlier I got a surprising response from a young student. He was a very confident young man and diligent in his work patterns. I paid him a high compliment one day and told him if he ever ran for president I would vote for him. He said, "You would be dead by then". At the time I was 50 with no plans for an early demise. I wonder what happened to this capable young man.
I can conclude by stating, don't count out dogs or children as one never knows what they will say or do.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Requirements
We probably do not give it much thought but our lives are shaped by requirements. Some are common to all of us but others to particular circumstances.
The fourth of July this year of 2010 fell on a Sunday. Our pastor chose Micah 6: 6-8 as the scripture for his sermon. Michah was the sixth minor prophet. He was a man of Judah and prophesied to both the north and southern kingdoms. He is noted for his definition of true religion ( 6-8) and for his prophesy of Christ's birthplace ( 5:2 ). He also spoke of the eventual triumph of divine grace. I am not a Biblical scholar but am inspired by the wisdom found within it's pages.
This statement of what God requires of us came to me in the wee hours of this day. I had been reading a book on American History. This book contains a series of events in our country which helped shape us as a people. The event that set my mind off in a particular direction was telling about the Kefauver Hearings. Estes Kefauver was a U.S. senator from Tennessee. He led an investigation into crime in interstate commerce. This was in 1950 and 1951.
At that time my husband and I were spending the summer in Nashville, Tenn. He was in graduate school at Peabody College and I was having a leisurely summer away from my classroom. Television was in its infancy and the people of Tennessee were naturally interested in watching their senator in action. I had never before seen television and our landlord invited us to watch the hearings on her television. It was mesmerizing.
Senate hearings is not my focus today however. I was remembering what I was required to do that summer. Really, not much but be a wife, prepare breakfast, lunch and supper. My husband was required to study every spare moment he was not in class . He really worked hard that summer. On one night a week he set his studies aside and the two of us had a date. We usually went to a movie as night clubs were not our thing and our budget dictated frugality.
Something else was looming in the background that summer, the Korean War. My husband had already performed his duty for his country in World War II. He spent his time in the European Theater of War, although not in the front lines. He now belonged to the R.O.T.C. and since our country was at war he was required to register with the local draft board . This he did in our home town. He was obligated to inform that body if he changed his residence. He received some information which led him to not register in Tennessee. He learned Tennessee got their quota of officers from among the students temporarily in that state. He and some of his ROTC friends were not eager to fulfill Tennessee's quota. So, they ignored this requirement. One of their buddies who did not, was sent to Korea and lost his life there.
I am required to know the laws and regulations of the county of my residence. In order to comply, I subscribe to the county newspaper. Since it is mostly local activities that are included in this paper it is semi helpful. In this day and time, I can get some of this information online.
However, I am still of the generation which are paper bound. I like to get it in writing, or as the present generation would say a "hard copy".
One of the nice things about being a "retiree" is that the requirements have gone away for many routine things. Some people do not adjust well to this freedom while others thrive on it. I think I am of the latter group. It is refreshing to be able to regulate your own life. This does not however, erase all requirements . As Micah has said in Chapter 6, verse 8 : "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."
The fourth of July this year of 2010 fell on a Sunday. Our pastor chose Micah 6: 6-8 as the scripture for his sermon. Michah was the sixth minor prophet. He was a man of Judah and prophesied to both the north and southern kingdoms. He is noted for his definition of true religion ( 6-8) and for his prophesy of Christ's birthplace ( 5:2 ). He also spoke of the eventual triumph of divine grace. I am not a Biblical scholar but am inspired by the wisdom found within it's pages.
This statement of what God requires of us came to me in the wee hours of this day. I had been reading a book on American History. This book contains a series of events in our country which helped shape us as a people. The event that set my mind off in a particular direction was telling about the Kefauver Hearings. Estes Kefauver was a U.S. senator from Tennessee. He led an investigation into crime in interstate commerce. This was in 1950 and 1951.
At that time my husband and I were spending the summer in Nashville, Tenn. He was in graduate school at Peabody College and I was having a leisurely summer away from my classroom. Television was in its infancy and the people of Tennessee were naturally interested in watching their senator in action. I had never before seen television and our landlord invited us to watch the hearings on her television. It was mesmerizing.
Senate hearings is not my focus today however. I was remembering what I was required to do that summer. Really, not much but be a wife, prepare breakfast, lunch and supper. My husband was required to study every spare moment he was not in class . He really worked hard that summer. On one night a week he set his studies aside and the two of us had a date. We usually went to a movie as night clubs were not our thing and our budget dictated frugality.
Something else was looming in the background that summer, the Korean War. My husband had already performed his duty for his country in World War II. He spent his time in the European Theater of War, although not in the front lines. He now belonged to the R.O.T.C. and since our country was at war he was required to register with the local draft board . This he did in our home town. He was obligated to inform that body if he changed his residence. He received some information which led him to not register in Tennessee. He learned Tennessee got their quota of officers from among the students temporarily in that state. He and some of his ROTC friends were not eager to fulfill Tennessee's quota. So, they ignored this requirement. One of their buddies who did not, was sent to Korea and lost his life there.
I am required to know the laws and regulations of the county of my residence. In order to comply, I subscribe to the county newspaper. Since it is mostly local activities that are included in this paper it is semi helpful. In this day and time, I can get some of this information online.
However, I am still of the generation which are paper bound. I like to get it in writing, or as the present generation would say a "hard copy".
One of the nice things about being a "retiree" is that the requirements have gone away for many routine things. Some people do not adjust well to this freedom while others thrive on it. I think I am of the latter group. It is refreshing to be able to regulate your own life. This does not however, erase all requirements . As Micah has said in Chapter 6, verse 8 : "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."
Monday, July 12, 2010
When is Enough, Enough?
I made an early trip down to my raised bed garden this morning. It is a small garden by most accounts. But I planted two more rows of Ky. Wonder green beans. This is a better spot as there are in place fences for them to climb. Before watering them in , I picked from the present vines and probably got about a pound. I like the taste of these but the Blue Lake I had last year I liked also. It is hard to describe the difference in taste, but these seem to have more "body".
When I came back to the house I removed my hat and looked it over. Sure enough there was a pesky tick. I sent it down the drain and removed my clothes and looked them over. There was another one on my pants. Good-bye to him also. I had sprayed my clothes with Cutter Off and felt protected, but those little biters will just fall out of nowhere.
Dealing with the ticks and other garden problems made me begin to question the wisdom of continuing this hobby. We are in a hot weather pattern right now in Georgia and people my age are trying to avoid the heat. I only go out early in the day or late in the evening, and never more than an hour. I do not know what will convince me to stop gardening. It is so very pleasant to have very fresh vegetables that I keep deferring a decision.
I do not want to emulate my mother's brother, uncle Joe Gamp. I probably met him as a very young child but I cannot remember if I did. I did see his photograph. He "sat for a portrait" and was dressed for the period, early 1900's. I thought him a handsome man. I think he had blue eyes. I have been told that he was jovial and enjoyed having a good time. Perhaps his job caused him to look on the bright side of life whenever possible. You see, he worked at a foundry and made handles for caskets. I remember seeing one once, it was silver and very shiny.
But my uncle Joe liked to garden, even in his later years. His garden was in his back yard. One day his neighbors noticed that they had not seen him all day. . They looked in his garden and found him with his hoe, on the ground where they both had fallen. He probably had a stroke or perhaps a heart attack. With no way to call for help he died there in his corn field.
Uncle Joe managed to avoid tuberculosis when it was rampant in his family. In fact, so did my mother. She slept in the same bed with her sister Emma. She nursed her until she died of this dreaded disease. She told me what it was like to have this disease all around her. It was not pleasant. Tuberculosis was common in the early 1900's. My father was sent out to Nebraska where the climate was supposed to be more favorable for his tuberculosis. He and my mother both had scars on their lungs from this disease. Perhaps uncle Joe was not exposed to it often or had a strong resistance to it. He also may have left home by this time .
At any rate, it is a shame that he had to give up gardening in such a rude and abrupt way.
There are many other pleasant pursuits available to me so I really do not have to follow his example. It is just the deciding that is difficult. I think I am ready to give it up around this time of year. But when spring rolls around and I am feeling peppy, it is another matter. I usually have no problem in making decisions. In SOME cases I tend to think about things a lot before deciding. I guess this is just one of those cases.
When I came back to the house I removed my hat and looked it over. Sure enough there was a pesky tick. I sent it down the drain and removed my clothes and looked them over. There was another one on my pants. Good-bye to him also. I had sprayed my clothes with Cutter Off and felt protected, but those little biters will just fall out of nowhere.
Dealing with the ticks and other garden problems made me begin to question the wisdom of continuing this hobby. We are in a hot weather pattern right now in Georgia and people my age are trying to avoid the heat. I only go out early in the day or late in the evening, and never more than an hour. I do not know what will convince me to stop gardening. It is so very pleasant to have very fresh vegetables that I keep deferring a decision.
I do not want to emulate my mother's brother, uncle Joe Gamp. I probably met him as a very young child but I cannot remember if I did. I did see his photograph. He "sat for a portrait" and was dressed for the period, early 1900's. I thought him a handsome man. I think he had blue eyes. I have been told that he was jovial and enjoyed having a good time. Perhaps his job caused him to look on the bright side of life whenever possible. You see, he worked at a foundry and made handles for caskets. I remember seeing one once, it was silver and very shiny.
But my uncle Joe liked to garden, even in his later years. His garden was in his back yard. One day his neighbors noticed that they had not seen him all day. . They looked in his garden and found him with his hoe, on the ground where they both had fallen. He probably had a stroke or perhaps a heart attack. With no way to call for help he died there in his corn field.
Uncle Joe managed to avoid tuberculosis when it was rampant in his family. In fact, so did my mother. She slept in the same bed with her sister Emma. She nursed her until she died of this dreaded disease. She told me what it was like to have this disease all around her. It was not pleasant. Tuberculosis was common in the early 1900's. My father was sent out to Nebraska where the climate was supposed to be more favorable for his tuberculosis. He and my mother both had scars on their lungs from this disease. Perhaps uncle Joe was not exposed to it often or had a strong resistance to it. He also may have left home by this time .
At any rate, it is a shame that he had to give up gardening in such a rude and abrupt way.
There are many other pleasant pursuits available to me so I really do not have to follow his example. It is just the deciding that is difficult. I think I am ready to give it up around this time of year. But when spring rolls around and I am feeling peppy, it is another matter. I usually have no problem in making decisions. In SOME cases I tend to think about things a lot before deciding. I guess this is just one of those cases.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Man's Best Friend
My son-in-law said that I had neglected to tell of the sainted dogs which he calls my grand children. So, in all fairness I shall tell of the dogs I have known. Some of the memories are not happy ones. I shall get that out of the way quickly.
Years ago when my 18 year old grandson was around four years of age, he was spending some time with me here at the lake. I tried to give him different experiences when he was with me. We would go to the park nearby and under the shade of a huge willow tree set up camp. Those were happy endeavors, as we could play in the water and even do a bit of swimming.
Occasionally we went to a park which had an emu farm next to it. Also there was a fine walking path, all paved and used by visitors to get in a nice walk or run in a safe area. One day we were walking around on this path and out of nowhere came a vicious dog baring his teeth and on a definite mission to bite one of us. The sight of him plus the speed of his approaching alarmed me so I picked up my grandson and turned around so he would not be bitten. I have heard to never turn your back on a dog, but if I had not, things could have been worse. The dog jumped at me and took a bite. What he got was a mouth full of lavender shorts. I got a triangle shaped wound which proved to be more bruise than bite. My shorts forever had a triangle tear and so did my undies. My screams and the animal growling alerted the owner of this dog. He called to his dog and he retreated to his owner's property.
Going straight home, I called the sheriff's office and a deputy came to my house. I filed a report .He took a picture of my wound and followed up on the incident. The man lied about the dog having had his rabies shot. The county took the man to court and I had to appear. I took the "evidence" with me but the judge did not ask to see it. He had pictures that the deputy had taken. The dog was quarantined for the prescribed time and I stayed away from that park. This was a shame as it was fun to see the emus in the field , walk on the path and for my grandson to play on the play equipment there.
But, it could have been worse so we shall put that aside and focus on the fine qualities of man's best friend. The canines of this world have proven in many ways to be extremely valuable. They can be trained to detect illnesses in humans, serve as guide dogs, to track lost children and evil doers. They make excellent assistants to those who serve to protect us in many ways. Not to mention the companship they provide for their owners.
Some are trained to develop natural tendencies as sheep dogs to herd sheep. My son Jim, had a Shetland sheep dog who was lovable, protective and much beloved by all of us. When his master, as a small boy, would be swimming in the lake this dog swam with him. He impeded Jeff's swimming as he continually swam around him in circles to protect him. He was a family dog and took his job seriously. We all mourned his passing. He lived a good, productive life and there was no replacing him.
As a dog lover you tend to want a dog in your family. So as time passed, they found a Pomeranian. A prettier little fur ball would be hard to find. His master gave him the unlikely name of "Cujo". Cujo is engaging , sociable and so very entertaining. He lives to chase tennis balls. This had to end as it was ruining his teeth to jump up and catch the balls in mid air. Cujo has what I call a prissy walk. His short legs and curled back tail help to convey this appearance.
Perhaps his masters thought he needed another dog to keep him company. So, they found a rescue dog which needed a lot of love and care. She was just a puppy but had already seen the hard side of life. They nursed her to good health and Jim began to train her to be a good companion. They thought to call her by several names but settled on Rocky as her face reminded them of Rocky Marciano.
As I see it, Rocky has one flaw. She cannot resist a roll in a good mud hole. I became all too aware of this the first time I kept the dogs for a week. My daughter and her husband went to New York and brought the dogs to my house. Not too long after they left I let the dogs out for a quick run. Cujo was back in about five minutes. Rocky was not. When she did appear from the direction of the lake she was covered in mud and proud of it.
It was nearing dusk and I could not leave her outdoors so something had to be done NOW. My sister Ruth was here and she helped me get a leash on her. Then I wiped her feet as best I could. I led her upstairs and with my left arm in a cast, somehow managed to get her in the bathtub. With my one good arm I was able to spray her, soap her up and spray again, three times. For she was really muddy and also stinky. When it was all over with, I had a very dirty cast from my wrist up to my armpit. But I also had one clean dog.
Since then I have kept Rocky and had no mud incidents. The training collar is a big help. She is able to communicate very well and is a more relaxed kind of dog. Her whine means "let me go out now or you will be sorry". The paws up on my chair says " Get off the computer and pay attention to me as I want to play." Cujo communicates well when necessary. When he wants his food bowl replenished he turns it over with his nose. The noise tends to get your attention.
After the dogs leave my house it seems empty. I feel vulnerable without them to alert me of any approaching cars, or a deer they spy from the front window. They are good at chasing the deer away and that is best for my garden.
I have never owned a dog and do not feel competent to care for one on most occasions. But having one visit from time to time is a nice change. Do I want to have a dog of my own? Well, noooooo. I have too many projects going on now but having a wireless alarm system like Cujo and Rocky can be a comforting feeling for me.
Years ago when my 18 year old grandson was around four years of age, he was spending some time with me here at the lake. I tried to give him different experiences when he was with me. We would go to the park nearby and under the shade of a huge willow tree set up camp. Those were happy endeavors, as we could play in the water and even do a bit of swimming.
Occasionally we went to a park which had an emu farm next to it. Also there was a fine walking path, all paved and used by visitors to get in a nice walk or run in a safe area. One day we were walking around on this path and out of nowhere came a vicious dog baring his teeth and on a definite mission to bite one of us. The sight of him plus the speed of his approaching alarmed me so I picked up my grandson and turned around so he would not be bitten. I have heard to never turn your back on a dog, but if I had not, things could have been worse. The dog jumped at me and took a bite. What he got was a mouth full of lavender shorts. I got a triangle shaped wound which proved to be more bruise than bite. My shorts forever had a triangle tear and so did my undies. My screams and the animal growling alerted the owner of this dog. He called to his dog and he retreated to his owner's property.
Going straight home, I called the sheriff's office and a deputy came to my house. I filed a report .He took a picture of my wound and followed up on the incident. The man lied about the dog having had his rabies shot. The county took the man to court and I had to appear. I took the "evidence" with me but the judge did not ask to see it. He had pictures that the deputy had taken. The dog was quarantined for the prescribed time and I stayed away from that park. This was a shame as it was fun to see the emus in the field , walk on the path and for my grandson to play on the play equipment there.
But, it could have been worse so we shall put that aside and focus on the fine qualities of man's best friend. The canines of this world have proven in many ways to be extremely valuable. They can be trained to detect illnesses in humans, serve as guide dogs, to track lost children and evil doers. They make excellent assistants to those who serve to protect us in many ways. Not to mention the companship they provide for their owners.
Some are trained to develop natural tendencies as sheep dogs to herd sheep. My son Jim, had a Shetland sheep dog who was lovable, protective and much beloved by all of us. When his master, as a small boy, would be swimming in the lake this dog swam with him. He impeded Jeff's swimming as he continually swam around him in circles to protect him. He was a family dog and took his job seriously. We all mourned his passing. He lived a good, productive life and there was no replacing him.
As a dog lover you tend to want a dog in your family. So as time passed, they found a Pomeranian. A prettier little fur ball would be hard to find. His master gave him the unlikely name of "Cujo". Cujo is engaging , sociable and so very entertaining. He lives to chase tennis balls. This had to end as it was ruining his teeth to jump up and catch the balls in mid air. Cujo has what I call a prissy walk. His short legs and curled back tail help to convey this appearance.
Perhaps his masters thought he needed another dog to keep him company. So, they found a rescue dog which needed a lot of love and care. She was just a puppy but had already seen the hard side of life. They nursed her to good health and Jim began to train her to be a good companion. They thought to call her by several names but settled on Rocky as her face reminded them of Rocky Marciano.
As I see it, Rocky has one flaw. She cannot resist a roll in a good mud hole. I became all too aware of this the first time I kept the dogs for a week. My daughter and her husband went to New York and brought the dogs to my house. Not too long after they left I let the dogs out for a quick run. Cujo was back in about five minutes. Rocky was not. When she did appear from the direction of the lake she was covered in mud and proud of it.
It was nearing dusk and I could not leave her outdoors so something had to be done NOW. My sister Ruth was here and she helped me get a leash on her. Then I wiped her feet as best I could. I led her upstairs and with my left arm in a cast, somehow managed to get her in the bathtub. With my one good arm I was able to spray her, soap her up and spray again, three times. For she was really muddy and also stinky. When it was all over with, I had a very dirty cast from my wrist up to my armpit. But I also had one clean dog.Since then I have kept Rocky and had no mud incidents. The training collar is a big help. She is able to communicate very well and is a more relaxed kind of dog. Her whine means "let me go out now or you will be sorry". The paws up on my chair says " Get off the computer and pay attention to me as I want to play." Cujo communicates well when necessary. When he wants his food bowl replenished he turns it over with his nose. The noise tends to get your attention.
After the dogs leave my house it seems empty. I feel vulnerable without them to alert me of any approaching cars, or a deer they spy from the front window. They are good at chasing the deer away and that is best for my garden.
I have never owned a dog and do not feel competent to care for one on most occasions. But having one visit from time to time is a nice change. Do I want to have a dog of my own? Well, noooooo. I have too many projects going on now but having a wireless alarm system like Cujo and Rocky can be a comforting feeling for me.
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