Take Me Home, Country Roads

This is Ziggy. She came to our house for the first time in fall 2011, making her 14 this year. She still has a non-stop motor, but doesn’t motor as often as she used to do. The photo above is from the early years, the grey hair in her face long years from arriving.

Ziggy has never worked a day in her life. She has no real sense of danger, why would she? A house dog with a queen’s life, she interacts well with other animals but is never far from protection should it be required. She was Jo-Anne’s dog, now she’s my dog and when I’m away for longer than the agreed time (she knows when I should be home) anxiety takes over and she barks, looks out the window and is generally a nuisance to all around her.

I don’t know how long we’ll have her, she doesn’t make the jumps like she used to, and her tummy gets upset more often now. Teeth are good, eyes bright, curiosity at a 10 and we love each other and that’s for sure. I’m going to cry when she’s gone, rivers and rivers and rivers. I enjoy each day with her now, her ridiculous underbite and loud bark (she is loud) fit like hand in glove with my yelling at the televsion and unique attire when I’m home. Sometimes we fall asleep together on the sofa or chair, she sleeps at the foot of the bed, has since the second day she arrived at the house.

Ziggy has pals now. There is Clifford, the gigantic dog in the photo, and Nimbus (black cat) plus Luna (brown cat) in photos below.

I met someone. Her name is Karen, she is a counsellor at the University of Alberta, Augustana campus. We met just over a year ago. She is kind, funny, patient and lovely. I dated for a time, drove most of the province for coffees and conversation. Karen lived two miles away the whole time. Funny how life works. I have once again fallen ass over tea kettle into the love of a good woman.

I have my two feet back on the ground. I feel alive. I am home. I am grateful and I am blessed. I wanted you to know. Love is all you need.