The Stink Hounds

For some time now my Libby and my Sully have kept me going. In dark times when I have considered cashing it in, I've thought of them. Without me, who would take care of them? They couldn't be split up. And who would want them? They are ill-mannered, badly behaved, high maintenance pains in the bum. So then I'll think, well no matter what I have to stick around for them. I'm their people. I'm responsible.

In Oregon it was so hard to take care of them. I wanted to do right by them but I couldn't take them on walks because they are miserable on a leash. And we couldn't play frisbee or ball because of leash laws. They had no space. It was terrible for them.

Now they are on what I call "The World's Greatest Dog Park". We go for walks in the morning. We play ball and frisbee. They wrestle with my brother. They have acres on which to sniff and mark territory. And even my brother's dog who is so mean to them is behaving better (knock on wood). They are happy. And this makes me happy.

Tonight when I played ball with them, I watched with such joy as Libby would get to the ball first, bring it to Sully, and then drop it so Sully could bring it back to me. And if you know Libby, you know how important that ball is to her. But she loves her Sully more, so she shares to make her happy. I would like to be that good at sharing. I would just like to be that good a person.

PS This picture is of my dogs at Christmas being completely perplexed by a motion sensor toy my parents sent me.