My friend K has
been going through a rough divorce. So rough, that she is doing a
complete purge of all the non-living things touched by her ex –
including kitchen things, clothes, everything. The house has been
emptied, cleaned, and sold. While she looks for their new home, her
pets are staying with friends. We have Sadie, a 9-10 year old golden
retriever mix.
Sadie is a good
dog and pleasant to have around. Quiet, sweet, friendly. I hope she
helps our cats remember that it's ok to have a dog in the house. She
is doing her part, but they, especially Felicity, are resisting her
charm. Our cats have been dogless for little over a year and a half
and approve the status. They are not pleased. The first day, both
cats took to high places – Velox, Joseph’s black cat, where she
could observe, Felicity, my torti, where she could be totally
hidden. When Velox returned to human (and dog) levels, Sadie
walked quietly up to her and nosed her. The first couple of times,
Sadie slapped her, but not a full claw swipe, and Sadie quietly
backed off. Since then Velox has tolerated a nose poke or two and
pretty much goes about her business. Felicity still avoids being in
the same room with Sadie, but sometimes stations herself in the hall.
At least once, when Felicity was sitting on my bed, Sadie came in
and put her nose by her without Felicity moving. Progress.
Sadie’s toe
nails were ridiculously long, so Friday I took her to have her nails
trimmed. She was quite happy to get in the car. However, when we
got back to my house, Sadie looked around and cried. It was so sad! I
think she thought I was going to take her to her own family. Mostly
she has been peaceful and seemingly content. She is getting lots of
petting and talking to. But she is not ours and we are not hers.
I thought that
dog sitting Sadie would help heal the hurt of missing Anna, but the
opposite is true. I am crying multiple times a day. Sadie is a nice
dog. But, oh! I miss my Anna!
