Dog Advice

I'm crazy about dogs. (The husband makes the same comment about me but he leaves off the "about dogs" portion.) I've lost count of how many dogs I've owned and loved. My current big, black dog is a maniac but she brings me great joy.

The baby was home from college last night and he commented that she's become much better behaved. Maybe it's the squirt bottle. Maybe it's because she's only 4 months away from her second birthday. Two-years old seems to be the magic age that Labs settle down a bit.

A friend sent me this. It's not new; you may have read it before but it bears repeating. I wish I could credit the author.

When your carpeting is tracked with mud or you're apologizing to the person who has just experienced a knock 'em down french kiss from your dog, remember this.

If a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle
them gently.

I would add a few more:

A stranger at the door probably needs to see your snarly face.
Someone brushing your hair or massaging your scalp feels good.
When you need attention, throw yourself on someone's lap.
Kissing is more fun with tongues.
A treat a day is mandatory.
If you talk/bark until you're hoarse, you've taken it too far.
Regardless of age, you should have toys.
Some dogs and some people need to be kept on a short leash.
Instincts are good. If you sense danger, you're probably right.
Food left on the counter is fair game.
Your own pillow provides comfort.
Your senses can keep you from peril and guide you to good things.
If you have someone to take care of you, you are luckier than most.

A Moment in History

Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Bobby Kennedy was in Indianapolis for a campaign stop and he delivered the news to a stunned crowd. As news of the assassination spread across the land, many cities erupted in riots and chaos. Indianapolis did not and it was largely due to the wise and calming words delivered by Bobby Kennedy.

Ethel Kennedy (Bobby's widow) was in our city yesterday. She was honoring both men. Our local paper was all over it. Some articles remembered that day. Others in the op/ed section pleaded with the younger generation to remember history and learn the lesson.

There's a sculpture in our city that's a tribute to them both. It's metal and it's moving. It shows both men reaching but not quite attaining the handshake. Part of the metal comes from melted-down firearms.

My friend designed this sculpture. He won a national contest and poured his heart and soul into it, along with a lot of melted firearms. I went to the ceremony when it was unveiled.

The artist reminded me of another snapshot of this historic moment: www.rippleofhopemovie.com.

I wish I could say something new and profound about these two men who died at such a young age in 1968. I'm don't have the words and I was a child.

But, I can tell you that there's a monument in my city honoring both of them. I'm thrilled to know the artist. I'm hoping their message is still being conveyed. It's not lost on me.

Clean and Pristine

I finally got the carpets cleaned and they look marginally better. Some stains refuse to budge. We're in the midst of rain and mud season so I can't get too anxious about it.

One of my daily chores is to vacuum or take the sticky roller to the dog hair on the inside of my car. It's a simple task that saves me from a prickly conversation with the husband.

Some people manage to keep their homes and cars in show-quality condition. I'm always envious of those people until they start endorsing rules like no shoes in the house or they have plastic covering all the furniture. I am not comfortable in my socks or bare feet with my skin adhered to the plastic. I want people to feel warm and comfortable in this house. We have very few rules.

Now that we've lost the oldies, my house will never be the same. She could devote several hours to cleaning out the refrigerator and scrubbing the range. This rarely makes my to-do list.

One of my friends makes everyone feel welcome in her home. She has very few rules. But she can't go to bed until everything is pristine.

I would never sleep again.

Optional Surgery

I've had my tonsils removed. I've had a few lumps or strange spots removed. I've done the days when you wait for the biopsy results. I've had dye run through some of my organs and I got to watch it on a TV screen. Call me crazy but this is not my idea of a good time.

As you know, I am terrified of needles. This does not stop me from doing routine blood work or getting a flu shot. But, I'm pretty sure I would never choose to have someone shove a needle in my arm. Let alone, take off my face and then stitch it back together.

At this age, many people I know choose elective surgery. They have themselves shot with Botox or some other gravity-defying drug. They have their eyebrows lifted. They have face lifts. They have major peels which basically involves watching your face fall off in sheets.

I'm pretty sure all of these procedures involve needles so I'll pass. I'm following the path of the Belle.

One of my girlfriends went to the doctor and was concerned about aging and various lines. Instead of accepting the big check, her doctor advised, "You are not going to stay out of the sun. You are going to continue to live the way you've chosen. You would be wasting your money." What a cool doctor!

The Belle kicked up her heels until the very end. Her lines and wrinkles were a badge of honor. She earned them.

I think I've earned mine too.

A Community Request Fulfilled

Two days ago, I received an email plea. A teenager (friend of a friend of a friend) had reached his lifetime limit on his medical policy. He was/is desperately in need of a transplant.

I do not know this young man. But I do know the person who sent me the email. The request was not for gobs of money -- just $25.

The front page of my paper this morning featured a human interest story. "Teen to get transplant after donations pour in." (Indystar.com)

Just when I get a little down about human nature and our selfish ways, I am blessed with an inspiration.

The original email from his parents went out Friday. By Tuesday, they had $175,000. By 3:00 PM Wednesday, they had $355,000. Four hours later, the total exceeded $400,000.

Imagine how much more is pouring in. Imagine the relief his parents feel to have this show of love and support.

College versus the Real World

One of our large universities (and my alma mater) is addressing a problem. There's a big group of students who do almost anything to avoid classes on Friday or early morning classes any day of the week. The students' comments included the following:

I like to party on Thursday nights. I don't do Friday classes.
I refuse to take any class before 1:00pm. I can't focus that early.
I like to go home (or away) on the weekend. Friday classes cut into that time.

This causes big trouble with scheduling the lecture halls, etc. The university is examining several options. All of them will involve more student butts in seats before noon and on Fridays.

Someone wrote an opinion to the editor of our local paper this week. Paraphrasing, it said, "What about the real world? Do these young people think they will find a full-time job that gives them the flexibility to show up in the afternoon and skip Friday work hours?"

The baby is in this very college. He also works at every opportunity. The daughter has worked herself through undergraduate school and law school. I worked while I was in college. I also recall some 8:00 A.M. classes and Friday classes. (I still went to the Thursday night party; I just went home a little earlier than most.)

The Belle would refer to this as work ethic or learning to balance things. She learned it early. I hope these kids that gripe about time schedules learn it eventually.

The Five-Second Rule

A recent study suggested that our society has become so germ phobic that we are actually harming our children. We need exposure to a certain amount of semi-harmless germs to allow our immune systems to effectively build up immunities to fight the bully ones. This is not a problem in my home.

It reminds me of mother stories. With the first child, everything is sterilized. By the third child, the instinct is to pick up the pacifier (or whatever) and blow on it. Then you just plop it back in the child's mouth.

One of my brothers-in-law told a story at the Belle's funeral. It was a homecoming celebration for his return from Vietnam. The Belle made his favorite, banana pudding. Hangdog snuck into it and somehow knocked the bowl to the floor. She scooped it up and picked out the pieces of glass. But when she served it, she warned her son, "Watch out for glass slivers."

I've never gone quite this far. But I did find myself crawling on the bathroom floor last night because I dropped my sinus medication. I found it. I took it.