My Life as a Dog...and my new friend!

No, we didn’t get another darling to live in our abode with me, although I’d really like a companion. As you know, I don’t like staying home by myself so having a cohort would be a wonderful welcome. I’d never be lonely and I wouldn’t be scared of the shadowy figures on the walls. I also wouldn’t feel it necessary to hide behind the door when my family comes home since I’d have the courage to greet them properly.


You see the last couple days or so when my family has taken me for my walk in the morning, which is one of my favorite times during the day. I love to see, or shall I say smell all of my friends who have come before me. I sniff the mailbox post, dribble a little bit of my scent onto it, then go over to the bush; sniff, dribble, repeat, sniff, dribble, repeat…and oh, mustn’t forget that giant tree over there. Big Daddy gets so impatient with me at times and asserts, ‘Hurricane, come on!’ in this particular firm voice as he yanks on that thing around my neck.…gosh, I’m sorry! but a dog has to do what a dog has to do! Ahh, my friend Ripley was through here earlier, or was that last night’s smell? I believe that was Rex. Rex,my man, you da dog! and can’t forget Max. Max, where have you been buddy? I haven’t smelled you in so long….EEWWW, got a little too close to that one and it went right up my nose, AAACHOOO! God Bless me!

Anyway, as I was saying about my new friend; Nee Nee and I started down the darkened street right and what did I see? Right in front of me was this diminutive gray kitty. Yes, I know I’m a dog and should want nothing more than to chase that feline right out of my neighborhood but there was something special about this cat from the moment I laid eyes on her. She, well don’t’ actually know if it was a he or she because I’m not real good at telling these things, especially on a cat, but let’s say for the purpose of my story, it was a she. Well, she bravely pranced right up to me tucked her chin to her chest and rubbed her ears against my legs. Really? Little Kitty, you are pretty daring; a large amount of dogs would devour you for breakfast. But this petite fluff ball with an ashen diamond of fur gracing her neckline kept stroking beneath my tuft of ruff. Oh, she was as sweet as my DQ ice cream and you know how much I love my frozen treat. She was brushing up against me back and forth, back and forth. I was mesmerized by her tenderness, her fearlessness and her devotion to me as a stranger.

Nee Nee hesitated and considered us with softened eyes. I wanted to inquire if we could take her home since she was obviously fond of me. Geez, we have so much love to share at our residence, instead we hedged forward and left the miniscule ball of fur sitting in the middle of the road following us with her eyes. As we sauntered away, I threw a glance back and said, ‘Good bye Little Friend, I hope to see you tomorrow.’

I love this life…and my new little friend~

My Life as a Dog....and an empty house~

As complicated as it has been, I have adjusted to reality from our shortened vacation. I’m confident I like this vacation stuff though because my people are home with me all day long and I adore my family being with me; I get this warm cozy sentiment inside my belly that oozes up through my mouth and I just have to give everyone wet kisses whether they are fond of them or not….. SLURP!!! SLURP!!!


‘Hurricane, Stop!’ they utter to me, but I make-believe I don’t hear a thing they are saying and carry on giving those licky-lickies I’m most famous for.

What's more, when we are all together in our humble abode a scratch behind the ear or a stroke on the head is never far from my reach. All I have to do is lie in the middle of the floor with my nose down, take a deep breath and let out this long S-I-G-H! Whoever is closest will look at me and when I have their full attention, I raise my eyebrows just a touch that gives me those sad puppy dog eyes and know by now, I got them right in the heart. So they park themselves close beside me on the floor and that is my invitation to roll over on my back to get my belly stroked or my ears rubbed; ahhhh, now THAT is heaven! Oh, yeah Little Daddy, keep on caressing those ears… that is the best!

Life was going along just dandy until Monday morning. What? Why is everyone getting into the shower and putting their ironed clothes on? When they dress in their ironed clothes that can only mean one thing; they are OH-NO…leaving?! I despise when they leave given that I don’t like being alone. An empty house has got to be as bad as well, having one’s personals removed, if you know what I mean! But sadly, they all get their things and Little D gets a bone out of the pantry. Hah, no fair; feeding me to take my mind off things. But the noises panic me and I search the house; however, my family is nowhere in sight. I get so frightened when the sounds outside come to visit.

“Tchrring” what in the world was that shrill sound? I crouch down on my belly and take notice of the “tchrring” again out the back window. Oh my, I sure wish Big Daddy was here to protect me….Lay low I tell myself so no one will see me. All of a sudden, I spot Mr. Squirrel sitting on the deck railing scratching the house as he gazes deep into my eyes…because he knows….he KNOWS I am scared! ARRGHH, where is my family? Okay, time to go under Big D and Nee Nee’s bed to hide from the commotion.

Once the noises stop I creep out keeping tuned into my surroundings. After the coast is clear, I charge downstairs and go into my living room to sneak upon that soft sofa, but don’t tell anyone because I’m not supposed to be on the couch. After what seems like forever, I hear the garage door release. UH-OH, busted…I hop down and rejoice by wagging my tail and dancing when Little D comes bee-bopping around the corner. He greets me in such a joyful voice that all the chilling noises disappear.

Whew, Little D, so delighted you’re home, let’s go outside and potty! I love this life….

My Life as a Dog....and hurricanes~

I know, I know…. I haven’t been on the computer for well, in like forever, because it has taken me quite awhile to recover from our vacation to Emerald Isle and I’ll tell you why. The beach was exquisite with all the opportunities to play chase the birds and Little Daddy, search for crabbies in the sand, all my walks, and games of tag with the waves and WOW! What gigantic waves they were! There is something I don’t understand though. When we got to the ocean someone called ‘Hurricane Danielle’ had been there so there were these scarlet flags hung and Big Daddy said they were there to tell us not to swim in the ocean. Well, no one told me I could have met and played with Danielle if I had been there a couple days earlier. I bet she was pretty just like her name but evidently I missed meeting her; DARN!

Anyway, I was amused from sun up ‘till sundown. I took daybreak strolls on the beach with Big Daddy because he wakes up really early. I wonder if it has anything with me giving him licky-lickies on the face when just a hint of light peeks in the window? Ummm, anyway, he gets out of bed mumbling something about ‘Devil-Dog’ …there he goes using that word again when I know my name is Hurricane. So since he’s awake, we go frolic on the seashore with the waves. Big D. will locate a shell and fling it in the water and I will sprint after it. Once I ran too far in and this humungous wave appeared and took my feet right out from under me like I was being hog tied, and then one more wave rumbled and landed right over my head. I had to close my mouth so I wouldn’t drink any of that salt water; BLECK! But really I was frightened, I couldn’t find my feet for a split second! Big Daddy said Hurricane Danielle made the waves big; WOW, did she ever! She must have been really strong. I changed my mind; perhaps I didn’t fancy meeting her after all.

But like I was saying, I went for a jaunt every morning, then another in the afternoon. This was typically when Little D and I amused ourselves by him rushing ahead of me into the waves and after that he’d shout to me to come get him. I’d get so excited sometimes I’d knock him down. I’m so sorry Little D.  I didn't mean to, but I just love this!

Our third spree was when that life-size ball in the sky was coming down just about to touch the dazzling sapphire water. My, that was sure a pretty part of the day. Being a dog, I’m not real good with my colors but I think there were yellows, reds and oranges that streaked crossways through the sky making a beautiful backdrop for that golden ball, but then the sphere would vanish and the heavens would get dim. We’d sit on the soft sand to gaze at the birds and the people. Often the people would come to a standstill, pat my head and utter to my family, ‘He is such a beautiful dog!’ Thank you very much I’d say in my head because that’s what my family always says to them. But then, it would get too shadowy, and I would want to go in the house because well, I’m afraid of the dark and the shapes it makes, but don’t tell everyone because it’s kind of a secret.


At any rate, there were plenty of walks and times that long strap that goes around my neck which I do not like, was taken off and I could just dart, dash and scurry about…AHHHHH, I love the blast of air in my face and when it tickles my nose, it makes me sneeze! ‘Bless you!’ they’d shout in my direction! But just when I was having so much fun with the waves, and the birds and all the strolls, on Thursday my family started to put all our things in bags and boxes and place them all in our van. What was going on? We can’t leave yet. I’m still having fun! Little Daddy mentioned Hurricane Earl was coming. Well, I know I didn’t invite Hurricane Earl so why is he coming? I just don’t understand all this use of my name. And if we didn’t invite Earl, why do WE have to leave? But Little D said something about a mandatory evacuation and so the flurry of activity continued. I was anxious they were going to depart, leaving me behind so after awhile, all I really cared about was that they put ME in the van with all my treasures. Hey, Little D, don’t forget my sock under that table! UMMMM, now where did I see my ball?

PHEW, they DID situate me in the vehicle on top of my soft lamb’s wool bed…but I was so despondent and so miserable. I love my time at the beach, and I love my time with my family and I’m still wondering; why did I never get to play with any of those other hurricanes?



Three Things I Think I Think...

I often don’t dole out my opinions as a result of the quote, ‘Opinions are like ass-holes, everyone has them!’ ...while I am NOT a fan of that quote, it does serve its purpose and states the truth.  As well, typically if no one really cares to hear my opinion enough to ask, I don’t by and large serve it. So to share these things I think is an opportunity for any individual to either agree, disagree, or sustain; take your pick~

1.) An article appeared in our town newspaper, the Raleigh News and Observer discussing how $100 million dollars would be pulled from the already decreased budget to run the Wake County Public Schools. This in and of itself is not surprising in today’s economy but what caught my attention was the phrase, ‘the situation is more likely to get worse before it gets better.’ Really? The powers to be really think it’s going to get better? Because I don’t. I don’t think our school funding will ever improve because not one person in the higher echelon who is truly capable or has the opportunity to make a difference really wants to stick their neck out to effectively make education healthier for our children. Millions and millions of dollars are launched into the direction of professional athletes and entertainers; pending the education system requiring emergency CPR, there will by no means be a remedy.

2.) The words ‘I’m sorry’ were spoken to actually represent something when the expression was verbalized as well as being authentic and heart-felt. In the world we live in nowadays with disgraced athletes, crooked politicians, desecrated clergy and dishonored entertainers an apology is a sieve. Immediately get on national television and express regret and ask for forgiveness for any indiscretion committed to whomever and the world will pardon you because you happened to throw in a few random tears and words about your sincerity or lack thereof in most cases. The heartbreaker is I witness students in my class hurl the words with absolutely no remorse or affect and I wonder what our world is coming to in addition to what enormous role models they’ve witnessed and we as adults excuse.

3.) A sporting competition brings people together. No, not just in the sense that hundreds or even thousands of people meet in a singular area to root for their team but it allows individuals to experience an affiliation to something outside of themselves. Furthermore, even for people who appear to have nothing in common can share a sense of ‘oneness’ with others. A challenge evokes excitement and enthusiasm as well as provides a distraction from the more important and allows us to cast differences aside to remind us we all belong to the human race.

So, in conclusion, these are three things I think I think but offer up a reprieve and I just might change my mind, although I doubt it.



September 11th...what was it's legacy for you?

.…waiting for the clock to tick away the precious seconds toward the marked time which ignited that outrageous day that literally halted the world; September 11! It needs no introduction or explanation since by itself can envelop all good and evil in the world in a small sachet.


However, this carton overflows with an abundance of debris that marks a person’s memory as well as the soul of each individual alive on that Fateful day…that moment in time that the world in which we had grown accustomed to changed. We were immobilized. We were shocked. We were speechless. Where were you at 8:56am on that day?

I was at Horizon Elementary preparing for our school day just like any other day. The school bell was set to ring at 9:05 so I rushed into the office to grab something; to this day I couldn’t tell you the reason nor does it really matter. However Suzy, our secretary was staring at the TV mounted on the wall and simply stated that a plane had hit one of the twin towers. A cluster of us had clogged her desk truly unaware of the magnitude of how this incident would revolutionize our world. We stood horrified as details began to unfold unaware that children were entering the building for the last time ignorant of the transformations to humanity. The day was and continues to be a haze of actions, thoughts and feelings centered on protecting the children from such horrendous news. Parents arrived at school panicked to pick up their children needing them close as teachers were stunned and silenced. void of words to depict such an occurrence.

I remember significant events recounting Sept. 11, because of the repitition of the media, but the recollection I behold is on that night we needed to escape the constant reminders so Scott and I took 18 month old Nicholas for walk around our neighborhood that was situated 15 minutes from the Columbus International Airport in which all flights were grounded. There was a silence that was eerie, almost ghostly and it frightened me. I remember kissing the top of Nicholas’ head and thinking, what kind of world will be the legacy to our children? Has that singular event changed me? Yes, it is a constant reminder that everything I know in this world can be taken away and change in an instant as in 8:56am on Sept. 11.