dog days of summer

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!