Happy 2010

Saki and I went to visit Rea and Joe Jacobs today. We romped in the snowy woods behind their house and sniffed all kinds of deer and squirrel scents. Wow. I actually ran up the little hill after Saki. It was the best time.

Then we went inside and Joan snuck us little pieces of her egg salad. We should get out more. Of course, not everyone would welcome two dogs and a human into their house. I guess we just lucked out.

Wishing everyone a very happy new year. (Shane, that goes for you wherever you are.)

Juno

Happy Holidays

Photos by Ari Scott

Well, the snow has melted. The great snow fall that brought silence and white hills to the entire world--that is, my entire world. Joan spent Christmas in bed, but Saki and I stayed with her while festivities went on in other houses.

Then the next day we were all well enough to have our portrait taken. Ari's a great dog & person photographer. She really knows how to make a dog relax and look natural in front of a camera. Just look at Bailey and Saki--they look very natural. That's no pose, is it? Nice going, Ari.

Best wishes, Juno

Paw Shoes: No Way

It was with the best of intentions that Kyla bought snow shoes for Saki. He has just the right type of paws that loves to collect hundreds of little ice balls. The ice balls then make him very unhappy, and he has to come back into the house and get his paws washed with warm water. Such an ordeal.

He kept the new shoes on for all of 30 seconds, and that was the end of them. You can't put shoes on a dog who's always been free-pawed--even with the best of intentions. Alas, until the snow melts, Saki will have to endure ice balls between his toes. Actually, I wouldn't want those things on my paws either.

Best wishes, Juno

Moving On--(an inch)

It's not easy to write about life now that Shane isn't in it. The big snow storm made me remember that Shane didn't like the cold, and he certainly didn't like snow. I think maybe he knows about the storm that he missed and he's relieved he didn't have to negotiate the piles of snow.

I've always liked the snow, you know, the way it cools my belly. And there's something so quiet about a white landscape that brings a certain peace.

Well, Saki is still bouncing around and enjoys everything. If it's hot out, he's thrilled; if it's freezing, he's overjoyed; if it's raining--well, he's just as happy to stay inside and chew a Nylabone. Yes, Saki's very easy. Like me, only with more energy.

I hope Shane is romping around in Dog Heaven with Rebel, Blackberry, Geordie, Alec, Scotty, and all their dog friends. I hope so. I really do.

Best wishes, Juno

SHANE: Rest in Peace

Shane had a good heart, even though not many people knew that about him. He started out life in a litter of abandoned puppies whose mother had died. Whoever dumped that mother dog and her newborn pups created a lifetime of fear for Shane. No matter how much Joan loved him and cared for him, he was always afraid. Right up to the end, no one could assure him or make him calm; no one could convince him that they wouldn’t do him harm.

But on some level, I guess he knew, because he felt safe on his bed, and he felt safe when the house was quiet. And, as for food—well—I never knew a dog who loved food more than Shane did. It’s best to remember how he loved riding in the car, his head resting on the seat back, staring out the rear window. People in cars behind us would wave at him. He might have felt their friendliness. I’m not sure. He also loved his long walks, and it was a sad day for him when we had to turn around and go home because he just couldn’t do it anymore.

I really hope there's a place for beautiful dogs to go when they're done with earth. Saki and I said our goodbyes in our own dog ways. For us, it's okay. We know for sure that dying is what happens. We accept that in ways that no human can accept it.

The house is empty, and a strange silence rises like a chill. Outside the night carries on as it always has.

Best wishes, Juno