This morning I took this picture and then I looked at the picture and it made me smile. I thought . . it will be hard to even describe how happy this makes me but I will try.
Many of you remember Speck. He was my baby for so many years! He loved sitting next to me in my chair. I would sit and knit and any time he thought I was going to be sitting down, he was in my chair waiting for me to sit with him.
When we got Oscar, about five years after Speck had passed away, I was so hoping he would sit next to me in the chair but he never would. Oscar was three in December and probably within the last year, he started sitting stretched out by my legs in the recliner but I always wished he would sit next to me. It’s so easy to reach down and pet him and, he’s warm! In the basement, winters for sure are cold down here but in the summer, the upstairs gets warm with the windows facing east and west and for it to be halfway cool up there, even with half the vents closed downstairs, it stays cold in the basement. The windows in the downstairs family room are hard to open (new windows are being installed in July) so I don’t even try to open those but I’m not above having the a/c going to keep the upstairs cool, and having a window open downstairs to keep it comfortable. I know . . warm air rises and that makes it worse but you have to do what you have to do. It would probably take more electricity to keep a small heater going downstairs and I don’t open the window til the temp downstairs gets to about 60 degrees.
Anyway . . it’s so easy for me to get off track . . a couple of weeks ago Oscar started sitting and sleeping next to me in the chair. I’m not going to say it’s 100% because he wants to be close to me. I think it’s more because there’s no room for Cooper so it gives him a little respite from Cooper’s biting and gnawing on him.
Speaking of Speck, Nicole and I were talking this weekend. Their Speck was probably 6 years old when they got him and Addie was 2. Addie will soon be 13. That is old for a Husky. Speck must be close to 15 years old, if not a bit older. Google says the average lifespan for a Husky is 12 – 15 years. Addie doesn’t even remember life before Speck. He’s such a great dog and even though the Corgi puppy is “Addie’s dog”, I think Speck is still her favorite. He’s had very good care, lives inside but he’s looking and acting old. Addie is pretty strong and seems to be able to handle life a lot better than I did when I was her age but when Speck passes, that is going to be so hard for her. She can enjoy him and love on him while she has him!
Speaking of being weak where pets are concerned . . I’ve probably told this story before but when I was in high school, Dad had a bird dog named Bullet. He was 100% an outside dog. Mom would never allow a dog in the house but on Saturdays, I liked to sleep late and when Dad decided it was time for me to get up, he’d let Bullet in the house, open my bedroom door and that wild and crazy, and often wet dog would jump in bed with me. That definitely woke me up and got me out of bed because Dad conveniently disappeared so I HAD to get up and take Bullet out myself. But, somehow one day Bullet got out of the fence and got hit by a car. Dad took him to the vet and we were all so worried about him. I was in the P. E. coach’s office the day after Dad had taken Bullet to the vet and I asked her if I could use her phone to call and check on him. She said yes. He had passed away! I fell apart and I cried and cried. Mrs. Mothershed was the coach and she consoled me as best she could. I think it was the very end of the day and she finally told me just to leave and go home. We lived in a very small town and probably, even 20 years later, I would see her in the grocery store or anywhere and she would say “Poor, old Bullet!” No matter where we were, when I saw her, I knew what she was going to say. I think she’s still alive, though she’s probably in her upper 90’s by now. I wonder if I saw her now if she would even remember me or Bullet.
Anyway, all that to say . . I’m so happy Oscar’s new favorite spot to sit is in the chair with me. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Dottie says
Glad that Oscar is snuggling with you. That’s so neat. One of our cats used to do that with me (the others would lay on the arm of the sofa or on the back of the sofa). He always snuggled as close as he could get. Sometimes it was kind of annoying, LOL, but it is a comforting memory today.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I understand. Speck would watch my every move and the instant he thought I was going to my chair, he was there with me. Every now and then I wished I had a little room to move but once he was gone, I was so thankful for that time in the chair with him and I think that’s why I’m so happy Oscar is sitting with me.
Nelle Coursey says
What a wonderful story! I am as excited as you! I think Foxy has finally decided she is not going anywhere else. She is here to stay. I know she loves me. I am glad Oscar has a new place that he can hang out with mom and no one else bother him!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Don’t you wish we knew what they are thinking? Some days I think Oscar is so glad to have Cooper here and some days I think he hates us for bringing the little demon home. 🙂 I feel like in the next year Cooper will calm down and things will hopefully get much easier around here. Glad Foxy is feeling at home with you.
Nelle Coursey says
Sometimes I think it is better that I don’t know! My Chow still goes upstairs looking for Pat sometimes. I will find her in his office laying on the floor where she went when he was working in there. So sad for her. I figure the two will get to be best buds in a few months. Foxy and Bella have never played together but not because Bella didn’t want to. I feel bad for Foxy because evidently she never had any toys. She does not know how to play with them. In the last month or so she has been finding them on the floor and she will pick it up and shake it! I wish I knew what her story was before she came here. She has known nothing but love since she has been here. Yes we spoil them but they are our constant companions and all they ask for is treats and love.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That’s sad that she didn’t have toys but Oscar never really had toys because his goal was to shred them as soon as possible, usually within seconds.
That is sad that the Chow is missing Pat. I know you do too. But, it’s so nice that you have the dogs to keep you company.
Lori Nash says
I miss having a dog. We had a corgi for about 15 years. She was about 18 when she died. ? Mrs. Mothershed is still alive. She was one of my favorite teachers. I don’t think she gets out anymore.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you for letting me know. I loved her and having her remind me of Bullet is one of my favorite memories. Our son and his family have two Corgis and they are so sweet. If you ever do see Mrs. Mother shed, please tell her I said hello and have such good memories of her.
Sandra Clarke says
Loved your doggie stories., I well remember your dog, Speck!! Glad Oscar is keeping you company while you stitch! I have always enjoyed your posts on raising chickens, awesome gardens, canning, quilting, cooking & more!!??
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Thank you. That’s always good to hear.
Marie L. says
Judy, did you happen to read Jenny of ELEFANTZ’s April 11(?) blog about adopting a dachshund? She is in Australia and when I read this one, I thought that you would like it.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
No, I haven’t but I will go find it and read it. Sounds like something I would enjoy. Thanks!