Along for the ride:

Friday, February 22, 2013

I used to laugh...

I have been feeling happy today. It's strange to realize how unusual a feeling it is to be free of worry, or guilt, or anxiety. Libby was a catalyst for laughter. Once she gained confidence, she would show sudden outbursts of joy, that were unexpectedly hilarious from such a reserved and seemingly mature dog.
We came home from work at lunchtime today and Libby was very excited. There's an association between arriving home and dinner time, for sure, but Libby also loves the cat, and the cat comes to greet us every time we walk in the door.
Added to Libby being in good health, she's now more secure in her surroundings. The old girl zoomed around in circles, as though she had a fire in her caboose. In her eagerness to engage Slinkie, the cat,  in her madness, she playfully pawed her on the head. Between the dog's joy and the cat's disbelief, I was still laughing out loud when there was a knock at the door.
Libby's ride had arrived. Her first stage on a road trip to become a beach-bunny, and gentle companion to an older collie, down south near San Luis Obispo.
The lift I got from the laughter was as good as any much-lauded tonic could have provided. The sudden freedom to do something just for myself first led me clothes shopping, to the local mall, where bright colors and polkadots could not be resisted. It's been a long, long time since I shopped for fun. Then I switched my shoes for barn boots and visited with a few horse-friends of mine.
The days are getting longer and the Friday evening lesson will soon be reinstated. In addition, there's a new dressage-based lesson starting up on Sunday afternoons.
Libby's not the only one with things to look forward to.


32 comments:

  1. Pets are great for lifting a blue mood. I used to have a terrier (terror) that used to do things on purpose to make us laugh. The more we laughed the more crazy he would be.

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    Replies
    1. Birdie, the modern term at the dog park is "Terriorist".

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  2. she's going to have some fun....and you should too!!

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    Replies
    1. Young Heart, Thank you. Why is it such a surprise to me that I can have fun, just for me?

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  3. Isn't it wonderful how an animal can make you laugh. We have 6 inside cats (don't ask), and although they are a lot of trouble (keeping their litter boxes spotless and keeping up with the older ones meds), I would definitely miss all the laughter they bring into the house. So glad Libby and you had a good day!

    And have I ever told you how much I like that picture at the top of your blog. It's great!

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    1. Rian, I hope you have a large home, with 6 cats:) The picture was taken in The Camargue, south of France. Visiting was on my "Bucket List" and it is still there. I'll be going back again one day, riding a white horse through knee deep water, surrounded by flocks of flamingos. We were there for the Gypsy Festival one May.

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  4. Dogs know, don’t they? They know when you’re sad, happy, in need of a friendly nose on your knee and a ‘make you better paw pat’.

    So, now you will be dog-less again soon. How can you bear it? Clothes shopping is all very well (can’t really remember the last time I went) but coming home to a house that doesn’t reverberate to a mad welcome is only half a home. For now I have Millie, long may she stick around.

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    1. Friko, Good to see you bouncing back again. I hope Millie's test results were clear. There's no doubt there will be future canines. For now, I have many things I put on hold for the last month. As you know, these dogs are needy when we get them. I haven't taken a step alone since I picked up Libby from the pound.

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  5. Congratulations on your burst of delight and euphoric feelings of liberty! Those are nice sensations to be back in touch with. Many continued days of such sentiments!

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    1. Ms P. Thank you. I hope you are enjoying some laughter too.

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  6. Thumbs up to the happiness. I haven't been clothes shopping in such a long time, and I like shopping! No dogs in the house? I bet that'll soon change. :-)

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    1. Di, I keep an extra leash in the car, just in case.

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  7. What a lovely cheery post for a horrible wintry day! Stay happy.

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    1. Frances, I should have posted a photo of the lime green trousers, with polka-dots, that I couldn't resist. They are borderline clown pants. Everyone could have had a laugh with me. We'll have to see where they can be worn:) I snared a pair of capri-length dark jeans with a blue and white polka-dot roll-up at the bottom. I think I can wear them more often.

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  8. Replies
    1. Chef, I didn't see a comment from you. I had one go missing before my eyes yesterday, as I was part way through writing it. Please repeat yourself for me.

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    2. Let me just say, thanks for a wee bit of inspiration when I needed it hen.

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  9. Job well done...no wonder you feel happy qwith the outcome...and off the leash.

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  10. Helen, thanks. It's a labor of love, for sure.

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  11. Dogs can be very sensitive. When me and my wife would squabble our dog would position herself between us and make these funny whimpering sounds that made us laugh and forget what we were quarreling about.

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  12. Stephen, a quarrel-negating dog would be a very sought after breed.

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  13. Lovely to hear a happy Libby is on her way to a forever home. You must be pleased.

    As for the shopping? Why not? nothing like some new clothes to put a smile on my face.

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  14. Jean, I realized that the last time I shopped, other than for pure necessity, was a very long time ago. I love the bright colors this year. A year ago, I walked into J.Jill and thought "recession colors". All greys and pale mauves. Not spring-like at all. You could have worn them to a wake, almost.

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  15. I so enjoyed ghis upbeat post! In
    January we adopted a 15 year old Golden Ret.... she had been my husband's boss' s dog since puppyhood. Seemed she just didn't fit with their retirement plans. I think she has been so happy to be an inside dog for the first time in her life. She is such a good girl.

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    Replies
    1. How big-hearted of you to take on an old dog. I needn't express my thoughts regarding his previous "human?" Another reminder that we live in a "Them & Us "world.

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