Just Us: I'm Cold!!!!

I am cold. It has been raining and blowing all day and into the evening. Dixie had to go out. Well, let's examine that, she wanted to go bunny hunting and stood at the front door, barking. It's hard to tell if that's the, "OMG, I have to poop," bark or if it's the "Hey, I want to see how many bunnies are invading my property," bark. So, to error on the safe side, we take her out.

I went out in my pajamas and Tony's open toed yard shoes and walked her all over the place. We went out back--no results. We went around our property--no results. We went to the circle that usually gives us successful results--not today. We went to Uncle Stu's and Aunt Jan's and for whatever reason, on this night, it wasn't enough. We walked around the other circle close to our house, only to have her sniff and pass. I took her to the bridge, with icky water running under it and she finally pooped. Good, I said to her, except, she pooped in an area far from street lights. I was going to leave it and accept whatever nasty comments appeared on the owner's blog about not picking up your dog's poop when a car came around the corner. The headlights hit me square in the PJ's so I made a big effort to make it seem like I was ripping off a doggie poop bag and picking up her contribution to the environment. I don't think I got anything but grass and dirt, but I know when I am standing at the gallows of the dog waste final stop, someone will step forward and say, "wait, don't execute her, I saw her pick up the tootsie roll remains of her small, Shiz Tsu, let her go free." At least, I hope that's how it goes!!

Tony was coming out to look for us as Dixie and I went in. I was a frozen TV dinner by that time and Dixie was barely aware. All she wanted was her poop treat--which she got in short order. Gee, how I wish we would have house potty trained her.

Dixie is an odd duck when you compare her to Jack, which we try not to do. But, she is such a social butterfly. Such a girly, girl. She wants everyone to love her and her puppy kisses know no bounds. Jack was a guy. A real man's man. He liked to sleep in his cage and there were two pair of blue jeans that I wore that really turned him on. No matter what I was doing or who was in the house, when he sniffed those blue jeans, he went nuts. He would hang on my leg and "pulse," across the room. Jenna was mortified, the boys just laughed. We used to say that his "lip stick" was hanging out. He would get short of breath and just collapse on the floor, slowly withdrawing his "lip stick." Dixie is a lover. She kisses, she nudges her way into your hip and she gives you a look of utter softness and light. She kisses your hand and bats her eyelashes at you, as she climbs into your lap. She has you at "hello."

I have had 3 dogs in my life. Willie, who I don't even want to think about, for fear he ended up not having a good life. Jack, who was blind and deaf, but still my love and Dixie--who is Tony's dog. I do maintenance on Dixie, but her loyalty and allegiance are to Tony. He feeds her, takes her out, takes her to the groomer, gives her meds to keep her safe, he walks her, drives her around when he does the community poop bag refill, gives her meds to save her from the storms, he holds her in his lap when she is afraid and loves her unconditionally. She is our 4th child, our furry one, and we love her so much.