It is amazing the difference a day can make in how we feel. Yesterday I felt pretty bad -- sinus stuff, headache, but I plowed on through the day. I had plans with my new friends -- we went to the fresh market early (eggs are gone by 9) and then Kellene and I went to St. Charles for Oktoberfest. I struggled all day to feel "up" and tried to ignore my pounding head. I get so few chances to get out and be social these days, I really didn't want to miss the opportunity for some girl time. Kell paid me a compliment, saying that she can't believe how well I'm doing. As I've told so many others, "What are the options? Stay in bed and wallow all day?" Every moment contains "background noise" in my head about Ken, what would he do, say, how he'd like this or that...he is always with me and it's comforting. Plus, being sad all the time would be dishonoring him. He always wanted nothing but my happiness; to see me smile. And, for Barney's sake...
It was Barney's 12th birthday yesterday. Funny -- he was less than his normally energetic self all day, laying down as if his back hurt and wasn't very playful with his girlfriend Rosie next door. I try not to worry, as I know I have days like that too. But....at bedtime things got better in his world!
About 10:15, I went outside with him for his bedtime pee-pee and along came a baby possum, sauntering through our yard as if there wasn't a big white dog ready for a chase. Off Barney ran, chasing him across the street into the neighbors yard. By the time I could say "Barney, no!" he had a possum hanging out of his mouth, ears up, tail wagging, eyes wide, like, "What do I do now, Mom?" I quietly told him to put it down and he did. The funniest thing was, the possum played dead! Barn scrunched up his little face, got that quizzical wrinkle between his eyes and nosed it like he was concerned. This is a dog who treats his stuffed toys like babies. I think he was worried he killed it.
We went back to our yard, hung out for a few minutes, checked on the possum again, and headed in for the night. As we were going up the walkway, I turned one last time and saw his fury little butt head into the darkness. Whew!
Today is another glorious autumn day. Seriously -- I can't get over the weather here! We both woke up perkier and took our Sunday walk up to see the horses at the horse ranch about a mile up the street. First thing out the door, we had to check and see if the possum was still there. I knew he was gone, but Barn didn't. There was a pile of possum poop on the sidewalk where he had played dead. Barney literally scared the crap out of it!! I'm still chuckling and quite proud of my 12-year-old pup. The tally: 3 squirrels and an opossum. Good boy!
The horses were in the stables -- too chilly for them. Most of them winter in Ocala, FL. But Barn was really upbeat the entire walk, chasing squirrels, loving the 57 degree, breezy morning. We no sooner got home and the three next-door neighbor dogs -- Woody, Leilah and Ellie -- were out playing. He had to be part of that, romping, running, sniffing...throwing rocks. (Woody is OCD about fetching rocks). As soon as they went in the house, his girlfriend Rosie was getting ready to leave with her mom and dad on an 8-day RVing trip, so we had to run and play and kiss on her for a few minutes. Wow! What a morning.
Need I say that my perky pup is passed out cold now, running and moofing in his sleep, chasing possums and squirrels? It makes me really happy that he has such a social life and enjoys himself with utter abandon. I am grateful to God every day that he is still with me and that he's healthy. I know Ken is watching over us and I'm certain he told Barney when he was leaving this world to "take care of momma" just like he used to whenever he traveled for work. Honey, he's taking care of his momma perfectly, making me laugh and smile throughout each day.
