Let me tell you about my dream last night. I was standing with my sister on a small grassy airfield in a clearing between a ring of dense pines. A middle-aged man stood by a little white biplane. It seated three people: the pilot and two passengers. He told us that he was going to try an experiment, and instructed us to climb aboard. We did, and then into the pilot’s seat he plunked a big brown working dog. Okay, have a good flight, he said, backing away. In his hands was a rectangular plastic device with an antenna. I’m going to be controlling the plane from the ground. I usually crash these things, but if I can get you up and over those trees, you might be alright. It’s the first time I’ve sent my dog up. Off we went, rising steeply above the treetops and into the horizon as the man on the ground became a dot. I wondered what would happen when we went beyond the range of his remote control’s signal. A few seconds later I realized I hadn’t done my customary thing of using the bathroom before leaving for somewhere, and I really had to pee. My sister said, You’ll have to wait. I panicked… and woke up. What does it all mean: flying into the unknown with a dog, a full bladder and a high likelihood of plummeting to the earth?
The dog pilot looked something like this:
I’ve always liked sketching animals from photos, but I have no idea at all why dogs have attracted my attention as subjects during this isolation. Lots of people tell me I should get my own pup, but there are so many reasons not to. I fear the commitment, which is massive. And my lifestyle, such as it is, doesn’t support a canine companion because I tend to go places one can’t take a dog. And another reason: I still miss my beloved Otis, whom I had put to sleep sixteen years ago; no dog can compare to him. I still choke up when I think of him.
Longtime readers of this blog know that, after Otis, I used to foster dogs for some nice people at a local organization, but unfortunately they moved away. (But not before they rescued Stella. Formerly “Sabrina,” she lived with me for a while before becoming my first and only foster fail and then Ma’s beloved companion for ten years. Anyway, maybe searching the Internet for hound photos is the next best thing to owning a dog—and so much easier and more economical. Still, I’ll bet my mental health might be better, especially these days, if there was one by my side. Even my psychiatrist has told me so.
It is yet another grey and cold day, as it’s been for about the last seven. I’ve barely even been outside in the past week, and the only walk I’ve taken was to the post office six blocks away.
Update on last week’s toilet paper experiment: One roll of Charmin Mega lasts seven and a third days. Now it’s onto the Kirkland brand, for comparison. Stay tuned.
If I have a shred of artistic talent, it clearly was inherited from my mother. She doodled this while on hold.
Her creatures always have such character. Thanks for letting me put this here, Small. Now will you draw one of Stella?
That would be well beyond me, to do!! As you can easily tell by ny horse (did you recognize it as a horse??)
Well, at least it’s a mighty good sign that the man sent his dog up with you – it gives him much more incentive not to let you crash! Your guardian dog in turbulent times.
Your drawing of the guardian-puppy is excellent.
As you know, I still DO think that you should adopt a dog. I know it’s a big commitment, and no dog would be an Otis, but they could be their own wonderful beastie. And now might really be the perfect time. You’d have lots of time to get him/her situated.
I like Granny’s doodle horse! And horses are *notoriously* hard to draw.
WHEN are you going to draw a Xoloitzcuintle?
Molly: I will draw a Xoloitzcuintle when it grows some hair. The only way I’d ever consider adopting a dog would be if it were as it was with Stella and Otis: that I could freely and without guilt return the pup if it didn’t work out. Rescue places aren’t set up that way, generally. I’ve had dogs (like the constant ball of frenetic motion who was Thea, when I was pregnant with you, and then Dana who nipped at you when you were 2.5) that I just couldn’t keep, and I don’t want that to happen again. I’m very fussy in my life partners. That’s why I don’t have one.
Small: Of COURSE it’s a horse. It could be nothing else, like a squirrel.
But the POINT of Xoloitzcuintles is so that you don’t have to muck around with drawing fur!!!
Conveniently, some places DO have a way for you to adopt without commitment, usually “trial adoptions” or “foster-to-adopt,” e.g. from Berkeley Humane:
“Older pets (7+ years) or those who have been available for 30+ days may be available for trial adoptions. Trial adoptions are only available for residents of Contra Costa and Alameda counties.”
https://berkeleyhumane.org/adopt/