Rain and wind this morning, but El, Sally, and I put on our rain gear (actually El put Sally’s rain gear on her, for her) and headed over to the dog park where we parked, then did the dog route, stopping at the pet store to get the dog her treat. She knows exactly where to go and does not let anything, or anyone, get in her way.

I am convinced that this dog is our mother, reincarnated. Sally the mother came back as Sally the dog because she knew that El, her daughter, is happiest caring for others. It was not that Sally the mother needed to be further cared for. It was that she knew what El most needed as a caretaker.

Sally the Mother did well by coming back as Sally the Dog. I do not think that Sally the Mother and Sally the Dog are the same being. In fact, Sally the Dog is just that, Sally the Dog.

El and the painted rocks

Sally the Dog is some kind of terrier cross. She has a wiry coat, just like that of a schnauzer. Sally the Dog is a very good dog, she’s quiet in the house and sleeps a lot. She does not play with toys at all.

Walking with a small dog is a different experience for me. I’m used to middle sized dogs. We also don’t see many dogs here. Sally the Dog and Eleanor the owner, on average, cross paths with at least a dozen dogs a day. Most look pretty friendly, but as I said a few days ago, they don’t seem happy. They cannot even take a dump in privacy. Human or dog, I’d find that difficult to deal with.

Little dogs also can’t go for lengthy hikes. Sally the Dog would not have the stamina to keep up with Ryder or Shadow, who have no problem going on 10 mile jaunts.

I’d have a hard time owning a little dog because I’d have to be so vigilant. I have learned that they can’t go out in cold weather without sweaters because they start to shiver.

I miss all my animals. I’m happy here and glad to be Eleanor’s company but looking forward to getting home and resuming tending to my own critters.

It’s good for me to be doing less, but it also makes me anxious. I think that I fear being bored.

El and I went on a second short hike today, so as to collect rocks for rock painting. We took Sally the Dog who didn’t think this was a good idea and in fact a few times headed back in the direction of the car. El thought at one point that she was ahead of her, but Sally the Dog was back with me. I ended up picking her up and carrying her up trail, to where Eleanor was looking straight ahead. Dog and owner were very happy to see one another. This reminded me of when Sally the Mother went off trail.

The longer I live, the more improbable life seems.

Next: 312. 11/12/23: Geese