All of the Animals. All the Time.

Daily writing prompt

Dogs or cats?

Dogs or cats? It’s largely a two-camp world. I have two dogs. Or, rather, they have me. I’m convinced they lack opposable thumbs solely for the purpose of me doing their bidding. Samson, an 8 month old Australian Shepard mix and Posh, a 2 1/2 year old Ratcha (87% chihuahua, 13% everything else) are walking evidence of thousands of years of domestication. When I scan my house, I’m floored by the amount of real estate these two possess. Together, weighing a mere 32lb, they have enough ‘stuff’ to fill a large room. I don’t know how we got here, folks. But, I’m pretty sure it stems from just feeling good about caring for our companions. Samson is never not happy. Hold him and he feels like a giddy teddy bear come to life. Posh is more content to park herself rather motionless on my lap, when she feels like it, for approximately 16 minutes at a time. Then, she is “peopled” out, retreating to her bed on the window seat. But, the crazy love I have for these two dogs isn’t even the surface of my reverence for animals. When I see a dog, off leash, I silently pray there’s a human nearby, that it’s not wandering alone. Because, he won’t be, as soon as I get my sucker-self to its aid. Yesterday was the most recent. After a great day of celebrating another year of life, I was on my way home when I spotted an older schnauzer in the soccer field across the street. It was in the upper 90s. (the temp, and possibly, the dog.) I had about a cup of water left in my water jar and he drank it all. His belly was hot to the touch. Within 10 min, he was in my backyard. No answer after multiple calls to the number on his collar. I bathed him outside, which relieved the overheating. He livened up, and, as if his eyes didn’t convey enough gratitude, he followed me whenever I moved and sat by me instead of eating his food, a mere 6 feet away. He ate voraciously after I walked him over to his dinner. In the whirl of activity, the evening was passing and my own dogs hadn’t eaten, yet. The baby squirrel had upped his normal attention seeking trot along the fence, awaiting the 2 cups of bird seed I scatter under the rose bush for the 40 or so birds who have accepted him at their morning and evening meals. He draped himself over the fence, staring. The lizard that waits, like clockwork, for his evening mist of water was also right on time. As nothing was more important than this little lost guy, all the other animals, domestic and wild, were in a holding pattern. My phone rang as my new friend was sleeping in the shade under the pecan tree, unable to stay awake from his scalp massage. His owner was out looking for him, and kept missing my calls. He was making calls of his own, in search of this precious creature. After a few minutes of sweet reunion with Capello, we talked at that gut level that people do after they’ve shared some similar fearful experience that turned to joy. Capello’s dad suddenly laughed as he noticed the squirrel and dozens of birds. He shouted out with a laugh to whatever animal was listening, “THIS is the PLACE to BE!” And, he’s right. If it lands in my field of vision, or meanders in my field of soccer, as it were…I’m all in. It’s not a choice, so much, as an opportunity. I don’t know how I’ve deserved the love of dogs, or why our planet is populated with so many wild and fascinating creatures, but I love, love, LOVE that they live alongside us, or we live alongside them… So, for the age old question, “Dogs or cats?” Yes. And, lizards. And, birds. Squirrels, rabbits, ducks, deer, caterpillars, bees…everything that flies, crawls, walks, hops…makes the world a better place. This story might have a better ending, but Samson woke up and is ready for breakfast and fetch. After he goes outside to zoom past the squirrel and birds, just to watch them scatter. But, they’ll be back. Go where the love is. Peace, Warriors.