Yesterday drving home from the vets office, I turned and looked at the back seat of my car. A happy memory of three dog beds side by side filling the space, each with a happy dog ready for a ride, eagerly and with some excitement. Buddy, the elderly gentleman was happy to curl up and sleep, paid no attention to anything outside, Nikki in the center to help protect the old fella from Lulu who in her terrier excitement would occasionally need to have a better view of the outside world from another vantage point, and might take it upon herself to bully her way to sharing someone elses space unless restrained by anchored leash and harness. Those were such happy times. Trips to the dog park. Trips to our mountain get away, or trips to La Selva Beach. We were a very mobile group.
After Buddy passed, we occasionally would fill that space with Rosemarys little fella, Tuff. He kept to himself, as he was very self possessed and gentlemanly. My girls liked him. Rosemary and I would spell off driving on trips to the beach. After Tuff joined Buddy in doggy heaven, I never had three beds in the back seat again.
With the pandemic year we have been home bound nearly 100 percent of the time, but a month or so ago, there was a beautiful sunny day following a dreary cold winter, so I bundled up my little companions and they again took their positions in their back seat beds, with Nikki in the center and Lulu going back and forth from one side to the other, looking at everything as Nikki curled up and napped. We got out in the country and walked along the roadside near on orchard where they sniffed and darted about on their leashes happy to be smelling unfamiliar scents and feeling the soon to be coming spring in the air.
Today I need to put away another dog bed, as Nikki is with Buddy and Tuff, and only Lulu is left to travel on with me. Its a sad sad time, a time to shed tears and remember the good times.
Nikki loved everyone. If there was an empty lap in the room, she would find it. She didnt lick anyone, just wanted to sit there quietly. If you would pet her, she was in heaven. And if you stopped she'd raise a little paw and tap you until you resumed. She had favorite people, although in a pinch any lap would do. My son Matt, granddaughter Candis who went with me to pick out Nikki at the shelter, grandsons, my best friends the Jacksons who would share their meals with her and always had welcoming laps, and Rosemary who brought doggie treats, were among of her favorites.
When we had visitors she would pick a new lap over mine. My lap was her favorite place in the garden and in her favorite chair in the studio, by a south facing window drenched in sunlight. She couldnt get enough sun. She would lie down on the hot concrete on the patio. Normally she would not sit on anything cold. Only on carpets, furniture or benches or sunny spots.
I will miss my treasured little lady. The only time she would display silliness was at dinner time.. Is anyone hungry? I would ask, anyone want some dinner? She would dash off the other direction and grab her tattered chewed up teddy bear and toss it around and bring it to me. She did this from the day I got her, a silly and curious habit. I had seen her do this at the shelter.
I will miss my dear sweet girl. She loved riding in the golf cart and always had her bed on the seat next to me. She never barked, but looked around eagerly at everything, cocking her head and sniffing the air. . Quail, geese, an occasional cat, people walking, other elderly quiet dogs in golf carts kept her interested. She was also my companion/date at outdoor karioke at clubhouse lawn. We stayed in golf cart due to social distancing. She would sit, all alert and watch and listen.
Lulu cannot take part in all activities as she is my wild child. Barks and lunges at everything that moves. I have scars from restraining her. And she nips. Polar opposite personality from Nikki.
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