#57: Dogs and Walks

Camp Grandma

My grand-dog Baby Kira who just turned one is joining Gretapie (GP for short) and me for two weeks. We are working out a few things at Camp Grandma…like who is sleeping where. On our first night together Kira decides to cuddle up next to me. This sweet girl likes to cuddle close…really close…and by 3:30 in the morning she cuddles me right over to the far side of my bed. She of course is stretched out snoozing oh so blissfully right in the middle. We have a little you are over here and I’m over here reset which works just fine but the next night when she hops on it first to claim that right in the middle spot again, I strongly suggest that her own comfy bed is really best. Thankfully she obliges and the next thing I know its morning when I am awoken at first light by a happy tail-wagging little girl.

Breakfast, theirs and mine, is next followed by chores. A Zoom call runs longer than I expect and it is late morning before we are finally ready to gear up for a walk; a collar for GP; harness for Kira; leashes and bags…don’t forget the bags…for both. It’s gray and mid-40s—the cool and moist air so soft on my face. After the snow and ice we had during the winter holidaze it feels almost warm enough for walking in just a fleece but not quite, so its boots, fleece, vest, hat, and fingerless gloves for me. When all three of us are ready to head out finally, the girls are wiggling with happiness.

On the alley above the bluff, we greet those along the way with a wag of the tail, or in my case a nod of the head as both of my hands are holding a leash. We greet the remodelers who have been working on a house, a tree pruner perched high up in an old apple tree, new owners of a house, the UPS delivery person, and other dog walkers—some of whom walk with dogs and some who have no dogs but walk with treats for the girls. GP knows the later well.

Back at home the girls settle onto their beds for a nap…or rather Kira chooses GP’s bed and GP chooses Kira’s. I don’t pretend to understand the rules of this canine version of musical chairs but head to my own comfy spot to write while a pot of stew simmers on the stove.

Good Books to Read: The Salt Path and The Wild Silence both by Raynor Winn.

Tune for the Day: Joni Mitchell’s classic, Sisotowbell Lane.

For Paid Subscribers: Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting some recipes for a few of my family’s comfy wintertime favs.