Last night, we arrived back from our quick trip to Florida and went to pick up Dobby from the Smiths’ house, our forever friends who watched Dobby while we were away. They have two King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, Bingley and Charlie (boy and a girl), and they are also fostering a mutt named Coco whoContinue reading “Bounce Back”
Tag Archives: Pets
Old Guy: “Old People Are the Worst”
Lauren’s father Leon used to sit down next to his grandkids and say, “Old people are the worst. Don’t hang out with them.” They would giggle and say, “You’re right.” “Fortunately, I never grew up, so you can hang with me,” he would say. And this was mostly true—in his eighties, he had the senseContinue reading “Old Guy: “Old People Are the Worst””
Satan Has a Lousy Job but Someone Has to Do It
For years, I’ve told people, “Be grateful for Satan—it’s a lousy job but someone has to do it.” In Latter-day Saint theology, opposition to righteousness is absolutely required: “For it must needs, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). According to the prophet who said this, without opposition there can beContinue reading “Satan Has a Lousy Job but Someone Has to Do It”
We Need an Intervention
Periodically, at the absolute peak of his playfulness, Dobby attacks my shoes or pant legs, then breaks into a full-on zoomie (as seen in the video). If you’re not a dog person, a zoomie occurs when a dog begins racing around madly, often in a circle. The term zoomie is widespread on the Internet, andContinue reading “We Need an Intervention”
Days Like Today
I have exercised, eaten breakfast, and dropped Dobby at the groomer (he hates that). I am in the middle of an annual online training that is required at work. My pulse is ninety beats per minute—almost exactly that of my walking heart rate. (My resting heart rate is typically in the fifties.) My mind isContinue reading “Days Like Today”
A Towering Work of Staggering Genius
When Lindsay first found Dobby, she bought a bundle of treats and toys. One of those was a toy in which we could place a training treat, and Dobby would have to figure out how to get it out. According to Lindsay, dogs needed this sort of mental exercise as much as they needed physicalContinue reading “A Towering Work of Staggering Genius”
Origin Story of a Super Hero
They were in their room changing out of regular clothes into pajamas. “The Jensens asked us to watch their dog,” said Lauren, stepping into the closet. “Obviously, you said no,” the man said. “Actually, I didn’t.” “Come on. Seriously?” “She’s hypoallergenic. Maltipoo or something.” “Great, but it’s not like you like dogs.” “I know. ButContinue reading “Origin Story of a Super Hero”
The Queens We Use Would Not Excite You
They are spending the day at Aunt Camille’s house and hanging out with David, Katie, Adam, and Ben. David is the oldest in the group followed by the young man, then Katie and Stephen. Dad is upstairs with Aunt Camille. Jonathan is at work. Jared has gone on a roadtrip with a friend to California.Continue reading “The Queens We Use Would Not Excite You”
Hello, Dolly
They play it indoors using a small wooden bat and a wrist band as the ball, and they call it wrist band baseball. They used to play it in the living room when they lived in San Antonio. If you hit the wrist band into the lowest basket of the hanging fruit basket, you gotContinue reading “Hello, Dolly”
It’s Okay If You Go Home Now
Stephen is standing in the young man’s doorway. “Gordon, I think you should come see what’s up with Blackie.” “What do you mean?” “He’s on the armchair in my room and he won’t move.” “Just chase him off if you want him to move.” “No, I mean, he will not move. Just come see.” TheContinue reading “It’s Okay If You Go Home Now”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 