For the first eleven years of Ellie’s life, I don’t believe I’ve seen her lie down in the dooryard for more than a minute at a time. And I could count those times on two hands and one of my feet.
That’s not hyperbole.
Since moving to the Ranch on the Knoll (ROTK in the USA), she’s found that the grass feels darn good, especially when mixed with just the right amount of sunshine.
Most of her life, when outside, I have spent an inordinate amount of time hollering her name- the shortened version, “ELlllllllll!” intermittently, sometimes often, to make sure she knows I am watching her, as she really likes to go visit other places. She’s an explorer.
Yes, I could use a HALO collar or a leash, but she whines when tethered physically or electronically. It can be incessant. If you have a boxer, or a mix of the same, you probably know they can be very vocal about almost everything.
This year, after spending the first few minutes in Magellan-mode, she finds a spot and sits for up to ten minutes at a time, staring, probably reflecting on the life behind her and the forest beyond the curtilage of the cotton compound.
But sometimes, she does this (photos below).
She will roll in the grass for a while, then find a comfy spot to fall fast asleep.
The naps last up to ten minutes, then she gets up, shakes off, and comes back to the patio to implore whoever is there to let her back in for a dose of relief from the sunshine and a drink of water.
And before you share medical advice or suggest she must be seen immediately by the dog doctor, I see no other signs that this change in demeanor is from failing health. Certainly she’s no spring chicken in dog years, I know.
I think she’s realized it is okay to relax now and then. It certainly helps me get through more than a couple of pages of my reading material before I have to get up and go find her in a neighbor’s yard.
We hope you can find a comfortable place, maybe in a sunbeam, maybe not, in your world today.
Keep your hands to yourself, leave other people’s things alone, and be kind to one another.
From the Jagged Edge of America, we remain,
Ellie & TC
As always, I must thank the supporters of the writing here, and on Facebook, who subscribe/support/donate to the cause. It seems each time I suspect I may need to go find another part time gig, naturally losing a few supporters from time to time, some stalwart human decides to get in on the action, and we are back to calling myself a paid professional. If you are, or were in the past, a BUYMEACOFFEE member, thank you so much. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of you. Thanks—TC