Monday, November 07, 2005

Tipping point (or, smell the love)

We got Mimi soon after Carter died. Too soon, really. I still miss him intensely, and I still tear up every time I look at his pictures. He was a smart, funny, tolerant dog... and a truly handsome gent, at that. He loved me in spite of all my faults, and he was a faithful guardian of my children. And, of course, he kept Maggie company for twelve years.

Mimi is a really sweet puppy. She's a purebred flat-coated retriever... and flat-coats are my kind of dog: silly, joyous and smart. I liked her from the start, but I didn't fall in love until a couple of days ago, when I realized I had memorized the smell of the top of her head.

Now, call me strange (as if you need another reason), but I've been known to walk up to Maggie... or any of the kids, and just take a big whiff of their hair. Animalistic, sure, but it makes me just surge with affection.

All of a sudden, Mimi's gone Core. She's part of my life, now, and I'm happy about that. Carter would have loved her.

Love to all. Even you, the lady on Lexington with the two teensy pseudo-dogs.

2 comments:

ITS said...

Watch out! The lady on Lexington with the two teensy dogs, is really a MAN!!!

Anonymous said...

Yea, I feel that way about my new dog. The old one died a few months back. He was 15. Had a good life. This one is a year old this month, when I got him I could hold him in my arms. He's got hip dysplasia, both hips, worse case the doc has ever seen and I dunno if I'll be able to afford the operations. I'm gonna see how it goes. I may need to put him to sleep if he's in pain. He may be in pain now. He's running, he's playing, but who knows what he's living with. If he shows signs of pain I may just have to let him go. And ain't that a killer? Only a year old? Better sooner than later? Before I get "attached"? Too late. Already attached. Gonna go hug my dog now.