Drive-Thrus

Back when my pug Vader was alive going through a drive-thru of any kind was a real experience. That’s because Vader saw every drive-thru as a McDonald’s and McDonald’s meant Fillet O’ Fish, his favorite treat. He loved them so much that on the day he died, I took him through the drive-thru one last time and let him eat away to his heart’s content. I’m not sure he had ever tasted them before that; he used to practically inhale them. But on that last day, I saw him really savoring the last bite, not able to finish the third fillet I had purchased.

Because Vader loved his fillets, going to the drive-thru bank was problematic. He would start to salivate and moan and whimper and bark believing that instead of cash and a dog biscuit, the window held the promise of his treasure. The dry, old milk bone that the teller offered with a smile hardly sufficed and he would bark so loudly and whine so badly that I would have to make the 10-mile trip, one way, to  the closest McDonald’s.

Vader is gone, but going to the bank hasn’t gotten any easier. Perhaps Alfie remembers Vader’s behavior and what it produced or perhaps she and Waffles find the sight of the teller too exciting, but as we approached the drive-thru today the two started screeching. Alfie was hopping up in her car seat and Waffles throwing herself at the window in the hopes that she would slip out of her harness to freedom. The teller smiled a sinister smile as if she were immensely pleased that she was safe behind the window glass. She offered two tiny dog treats, which rather than appeasing my duo, set them off on another frantic rush at the glass. I drove off without counting my money, my car screaming.

I’m not sure what’s happened, but my two charming little female pugs have become treacherous gremlins as late. You know, like in the Steven Spielberg movie – “Don’t ever feed them after midnight?” Yet, while little Gizmo came with this pertinent instruction, I have no idea what has set my two off.

Before Waffles came, Alfie was finally bidding her puppyhood goodbye. She has become a seasoned couch potato, the perfect writing dog, always by my side or my feet. When Waffles came the two became enamored with each other, playing together, sleeping together. I almost could have gotten so jealous if it wasn’t so cute. There’s been a little adjustment with Waffles – I still can’t stop her from tipping over every trashcan in the house – but overall it seemed like she was fitting right in. I couldn’t tell who was top dog, the two seemed to take turns relinquishing their food or toys to the other, but I figured they’d work it out.

A few weeks ago things began changing and I’m not sure what changed. Alfie turned into a whirling dervish, always alert, always panting. She and Waffles play like mad, but suddenly Alfie is not seeing or hearing me at all. The two have stopped eating unless you lock them in their pens and sit with Waffles. You can’t take them for rides in the car without them going ballistic. If Alfie gets loose, she refuses to come to me. My sweet, best friend doesn’t seem to care much for me at all and sometimes it hurts.

Today, I was ready to pull my hair out. After going through the drive-thru, I turned to look in the back and saw Alfie had toppled her car seat and was hidden beneath it. Waffles was panting and snorting badly as if she might faint and I suddenly realized she had managed to wrap her seatbelt around her leg and if she moved much more she might break it. At that moment, my father called on my cellphone to report on my mother’s doctor’s appointment.

“What the heck’s that noise?” he asked. I’m not sure if he was referring to Waffles hacking snorts or Alfie’s frantic panting. As he went on talking about knee braces, osteoarthritis and surgery, I tried desperately to untangle Waffle’s while body blocking Alfie who was ramming her head into my side to get out of the car.

“Um, I think I’m ready to sell them,” I only half-joked.

Seriously, I would never get rid of my dogs, but I have to wonder what happened to those idyllic visions of a peaceful life spent with animals. These two are definitely not acting like man’s best friend and I’m not sure what has set them off. Most training books would probably trace it back to me, but I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong.

I have decided to probably forgo drive-thrus for a while, at least to the pecking order is established and the screaming has stopped.

Our Companions

Today I visited my cousin Christy. She has two girls in her life. Her dog, Willow and her seven-month-old daughter, Madison. Although I didn’t get a picture of them together, I watched the two play – Maddy in her Johnny Jump-Up, Willow at her feet, offering a toy. Christy says that Willow has given up on bringing her toys to play with and instead brings them to the baby. She showed me a video of the two engaged in such an exchange. I loved watching the interchange between these two species – dog and child, the trust between the two. Funny, that two such very different species not only coexist, but also, so amiably exist, together.

The Biblical tradition says we once dwellt in a peaceable garden where we communicated with the animals and God walked among us. Perhaps our dogs, so often referred to as man’s best friend, are a reminder of those days – a gift from God to keep us company in our exile, companions until the lion lies down with the lamb.

Sketch Give-a-Way

I'm launching another give-a-way this week. This one is for two 5 x 7 i-pad sketches called Ever Faithful and Saint and Sinner, featuring the divine and demonic sides of pugs/dogs. In order to qualify for a chance to win just leave a comment on my blog this week. I will announce a winner next Sunday. Please spread the word.

Also, for those of you who missed out on my Pug & Petals Greeting Cards, I have added them as a boxed set for sale as well as individually in the gallery section of my web site.

Thank you to all of you who have visited the site thus far. Come back for more pug tales in the days ahead.

The Conversation

I stood at the entryway to my brother’s house facing a common dilemma – how to slip pass their loving, but overly rambunctious Akita, Miley. When crowds are around my brother keeps her on a long lead outside. The lead allows her to make a full circle around the property and has just enough give for her to stretch to reach those entering the house by the front steps.

Akita’s can be formidable dogs. They are large and strong, reportedly once bred to take down bears. Miley’s problem is not that she’s vicious, just the opposite. Rather than taking down a bear, she’d rather lock you in a bear hug. Literally! If she can reach you on the steps, she stands up on her rear legs and wraps her front paws around you as if the two of you are about to dance. It would be endearing except she doesn’t like to let go and she is strong!

The solution is to have my brother hold her off or to try to climb the granite steps further up, so you are out of reach. Not an easy solution on the knees. As I tried to enter, hands full of bags, I realized my brother was inside and I could not easily get up the stairs. I was about to shout for my brother when his niece Tori, his daughter stepped in.

This tiny five-year-old stood in front of her dog and told her to sit and behave. “I can train her she announced,” and she went and got a snack. She stood in front of the Akita and said, “Miley, sit!” And, then she sat down.  “Like this, Miley,” she said demonstrating. Amazingly, Miley eventually sat and Tori awarded her with a bone. Repeating this pattern a few times.

I was impressed, but more importantly I enjoyed watching these two creatures interact – the little child and the big Akita. There are many long and elaborate books on dog training, but in a few minutes this little girl was able to successfully get her pet to do her will. The key as it so often is, was food, but also Tori’s perseverance. I kept telling her that I didn’t think Miley was going to sit and that I could slip past. I was even worried that the dog would knock the child down, but I forgot that Miley was Tori’s dog and I didn’t realize the power in sticking with it. Something I could learn to apply in my training of my own dogs.

There was also something magical in the communication between the two – they couldn’t audibly convey their wishes to each other, but they were able to talk and relate. Their interaction was gentle, but firm. And, watching it, I could tell they were engaged in a deep and timeless conversation.

On Seeing Temple Grandin...

I collect experiences the way other people collect shoes, which is why when a writer like Julie Klam, a dog trainer like Cesar Milan, an advocate like Temple Grandin or other notable individuals who fall into my realm of interests come to Vermont, I try to be there. And, just as people buy shoes for all occasions, my interests are varied, falling primarily into the area of animals, writing/memoir, psychology and religion. Yet, to extend the metaphor further, while sometimes people come away from a store with the perfect pair of shoes knowing just what they are going to wear them with, often I come away from my experiences a bit clueless -- pleased by the acquisition, but more likely to store the memory in a back closet until I find an occasion to which it applies.

I guess what I'm trying to say is it takes me awhile to process my experiences and the things I take away from them may be a little on the quirky side like matching combat boots with a party dress -- I process things through my own lens.

For example, I have known of Temple Grandin for years, having always been keenly interested in the human mind and how it works and even more intrigued as a dog writer on the workings of the animal mind. Grandin, an autistic and an advocate for the humane treatment of animals, addresses both. Thus, when I heard she was going to be at the T-Rex theater today, I was excited to go. Perhaps it would be something to blog about, but more honestly, she simply sparked my interest much in the way a moth is drawn to a flame or Imelda Marcus to a Jimmy Choo sale.

Grandin primarily spoke about autism and how to channel children on this spectrum in ways that allow them to reach their fullest potential. It was fascinating and Grandin, in her trademark western shirt and necktie, did not disappoint. I jotted down notes, but my overall impression could seem tremendously simplified. I'm sure there were people with more compelling reasons for being there than me, who were dealing with a child or family member with autism and to those I think Grandin gave some good advice. From my perspective, I came away with some impressions and thoughts that I could generalize to my own life, like seeing a window display and trying to figure out what parts of it I could recreate or apply to my wardrobe at home.

I came away with this -- Grandin emphasized that too often we as a society focus on the negative, what a person with autism can't do instead of focusing on the positive, what a kid is capable of doing. She emphasized that we should foster their passions and make use of teachable moments. She said that by acclimating autistic children to new experiences we fill their brains, creating more and more categories and as a result more flexible thinking. I came away thinking how this approach not only applies to autistic children, but to all children and even to my pugs. Grandin may not have spoken about the mind of dogs on this occasion, but so much of what she said I could take to heart in working with and understanding my dogs. We often read training books that recommend giving our pets a job and finding ways to let them do what they were bred to do. We know that we should seize opportunities as they arise to train them. She said rather than yelling "no," we should illustrate the way we want things to be done-- how often have we heard this said about the training of our animals? And, in turn, doesn't this apply to interacting with my nieces and nephews as well?
I find more often than not that when we find something to be true in one area it frequently applies in more universal ways. I came away believing that Grandin's advice is just plain good parenting and training: Encourage others to do what they are good at, emphasize the positive, find teachable moments, just do it!

She may have been talking about autism, but I'm going to apply this to  Waffles and Alfie as well, because as the saying goes if the shoe fits wear it!

Buddy and Bear

On one of my first trips over to Glens Falls to visit with Mannix I stopped at Sutherland's Petworks. The store looked long, large and inviting with a large sign announcing its identity as a pet store.  I thought it might be nice to pick up some snacks to take home to the pugs. Inside, I discovered instead a charming, three-legged bulldog named Buddy, who served as the official customer greeter. I talked to one of the clerks in the store or perhaps she was the owner, about Buddy's origins as a stray and watched him move through the aisles and stare out the window, watching and greeting folk.

Today on my way home I decided I should stop in and revisit Buddy and see how he was doing. I opened the door to the store and let out a loud sigh of disappointment that Buddy wasn't there to greet me. I told the woman behind the counter that I was looking for the dog and she told me that there was one roaming around and another back in the office. I vaguely remember that the woman the last time had told me there was more than one official mascot.

I stared down the aisle and there was a cute Corgi (Pembroke? Cardigan? I'm not sure which, perhaps one of you readers know the distinction?). "His name is Bear," the clerk said.

I proceeded to chase Bear around the store snapping away when the woman told me that Buddy was there as well. He loped out of the office on his three legs followed by the woman whom I had met on my previous visit. "I tried to find your blog," she announced.

I remembered that I had told her about my blog on my last visit and had promised to put a photo of Buddy up as I had. "Pugs and Pics," I told her as I set about snapping photos of Buddy.

Buddy had bought me his red ball, which was complemented by the red of his eyes. I had difficulty getting a good shot because he kept getting so close. Bear seemed jealous and stood on the outskirts trying to attract attention, but didn't seem to like his own picture taken. That didn't deter me. I got down on the floor and tried to shoot them both while rolling the ball and scratching Buddy's itchy spot.

I never actually got around to buying any treats for the pugs on this occasion either, but Petworks looks like a great place to shop. If nothing else, it is a wonderful place to visit for a dog fix. My father who was traveling with me today told the store clerk, he hoped I didn't know any other dog friendly establishments en route because we may not make it home. Everyone laughed, but deep down I knew he was right.

A Puzzle

My dog is a puzzle and a shadow
A mere silhouette
A mystery, a cypher
Not at all a sure bet

I watch and I study
But she hides her full face
Then returns to my feet
Claiming her place

With a wag of her tail
A snort and a bark
She spills all her secrets
While I remain in the dark

Perhaps always a puzzle, a shadow
A mere silhoutte
But from my perspective
The most faithful of pets

Dogs & Pics

I traveled to Montpelier, Vt. to interview a real estate attorney for an article I am writing. After the interview, I decided to wander the streets of our state capital and ended up visiting The Quirky Pet, a small, but charming pet store filled with all sorts of delectable goodies for your dog. One of the best things about The Quirky Pet is their dog-in-residence. Aria is one of the owners' three Bergamasco Sheepdogs. I spent some time with the owner talking dogs and sharing Facebook photographs.
After leaving Montpelier, I drove to Quechee for a photography meetup and critique where I share a few of the fairy wing photos of the pugs and a couple of pics of my niece, Tori. I saw some friends I hadn't seen in a while, Jean and Renee and a former teacher, Carla. Carla told me that she had channeled me this week when she went to take a close-up of a cow. "I was right up to it's nose. I thought this is a Kim shot," she said. I was of touched that my work was so distinctive that a certain type of animal shot made her think of me. As one of the photographers showed some of his shots of flowering succulents, my friend Amy made me laugh. "I love the word succulent," she said. I was thinking the same thing. I think if we had been in school together we would have gotten in a lot of trouble.

All in all a satisfying day and one truly dedicated to both dogs and pics.

Heaven of a Different Sort

If my trip to the ocean and the concert this weekend were spiritual experiences for me, Sunday brought heaven of a different sort. As a dog lover, the Shelburne Museum Goes to the Dog event may have been the canine equivalent of Paradise. Instead of loved ones strolling on streets of gold, dogs of all different breeds, sizes and colors greeted us beside owners just as diverse. Swimming pools to cool dogs off, water bowls to refresh them and a maze of doggie games, activities, and vendors dotted the pristine and picturesque lawns of the Shelburne Museum. Baggies to dispose of waste were in easy reach and no one restricted the dogs from sniffing each other and going where they pleased. Yes, they were all on leash, which might make it a little less heavenly for the dogs, but my pugs Alfie and Waffles bounded up to mammoth Irish Wolfhounds and petite Chihuahuas alike, gleeful to get to know their brethren.

We walked the grounds, browsing vendors that included therapy dogs, rescued pugs and greyhounds, retired veterinarians turned authors, dog fencing and more and literally stopped to smell the flowers along the way. As the dogs sniffed each other becoming a tangle of tails and leashes, owners chatted about names and breeds. The sun engulfed the venue in a golden glow all day, the grass blazed green. The sky could not have been a more vivid shade of blue. Everyone smiled including the dogs.

I was happy to bask in the peaceful chatter, happy barks, unceasing tail wags. Everywhere I looked there was something new to see, another dog to pet. It was a cozy end to a perfect weekend.
Unlike the exultation elicited in me by the ocean and the concert the days before, this day conjured feelings of comfort and quiet joy. Here, old and young, big and small, working dogs and toys, herders and terriers all played as one. We, humans strolled beside them, their faithful companions. It was another piece of heaven, but of a different sort. Here, I felt content, a part of the pack. It seemed for a day we all had come home.

Angels & Animal Expo

The name should have said it all "Angels & Animals" Expo. But I have to admit I didn't pay much attention to what it was called. I simply read the sign outside my vet's and saw that there was an event this Saturday that I could attend with the dogs.

It was at a local assisted-living facility, so I loaded the pugs in the car this afternoon and headed off. When we got to the facility the parking was well marked but the entrance was not, so I circled and circled, looking for a door. When I found one it turned out it was the main entrance to the facility and not the site of the expo, which was downstairs. I met a lot of seniors who seemed to delight in the pugs. Many shared stories of pugs they had known or asked to pet them and all commented on how dressed up they were in their fancy harnesses.

Wow, it might be fun to try therapy dog work I thought, but my two would have to pass the canine good citizen's test and I've never been sure we could do that. Still, all three of us relished the excitement of the residents. We made it downstairs and upon exiting the elevator found ourselves smack dab in the strangest array of silent auction items. I say strange because few had to actually do with animals. We walked down the hall where the police were doing a demonstration with their drug detecting K-9 dog, so I kept the pugs away from the activity to not detract from the demonstration. This was easier said then done as everyone kept coming over to pet the pugs. They seemed more nervous and excited than usual, like they weren't sure what we were doing there and kept barking at passersby. A woman came over and warned us that there was some concern about the police dog with other dogs, so I brought my two back outside. I was wondering if I should return. I hadn't seen any other dogs downstairs and I really  hadn't seen much happening. My brother is a police officer so I have seen the K-9 demonstration on more than one occasion, but then I figured we had come all that way so we might as well go back in and check things out.

This time when we returned, the police were gone but the room across the fall was filled with people watching a raptor demonstration. It seems the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) was on-hand and as we passed by we were warned again "No dogs in this room." I wasn't planning on bringing my pugs into the bird demonstration so we continued to the vendor display. One room was filled with pamphlets and brochures on subjects ranging from vegetarianism to aromatherapy for dogs and horses. In the center of the room sat a woman from Dog Chapel with a few Stephen Huneck items, the only truly doggie items I saw. This was the one display that caught Alfie and Waffles attention as there was a life-sized "angel pug" on the floor. Alfie barked at it and looked ready to attack before stopping to take a sniff. Everyone laughed when they realized she thought this was a friend.

Next to the Huneck display was a table of vegan cupcakes. Afraid the dogs might seize on those next and we might receive yet a third warning, I led them to the next room where there was a woman drumming, another doing animal Reiki and a third, doing pet and human readings from the medicine wheel. I suddenly grasped the "Angels and Animals" theme. This was not simply a dog-centered expo, but one with holistic, New Age concerns and focused on all animals. That was cool, it just wasn't what I was expecting and explained the lack of dogs. It did, however, make us the focus of attention by many and what was really interesting was how many people I recognized. I just couldn't place them or they me. Suddenly, it dawned on us. I had written articles about the Reiki woman and another on the new defunct Angels Among Us Pet Hostel. I was sad to hear that they had closed, I had only written the article a year before.

I thought of getting a pet reading for the pugs, but it cost $20 for 15 minutes and I figured both would have a lot to say, so instead I watched one woman getting hers done. When the drummer started up again I decided to leave as it seemed Alfie was ready to sing along. We went back up on the elevator and headed for the door, but were stopped again by a number of seniors wanting to pet the pugs again.

"I bet you're happy to see them," one woman remarked to another. "She reminds me of my Ginger," the woman said, looking at Alfie lovingly. It seemed my pugs unknowingly became a part of the expo, becoming angels to these people so happy to see them.