I Was Home CONTINUE to Part VIII
“Come on sweetie. Time to potty.” I didn’t remember her having such a fixation with this word, but I let it go and followed her tennis shoes towards the back door. Those laces needed a really good yanking. Maggie interrupted my speculations to show me the flap in the door again. Don‘t know why. It’s not as if I could get through, even without my fat, chicken-filled belly. Besides, I was feeling urges and wanted to go visit my puddle spot.
Apparently, she read my mind and opened the door. That’s my girl! Just like old times. I trotted through and sniffed around till the pressure started to build. I paced faster, nose to the ground, then spun in a circle and hunkered down, straining hard. After the sweet sense of relief, I turned to check out what I’d produced, but Maggie was already scooping my efforts into a plastic bag and giving me that “Good potty” routine again. I ignored her and wandered away till I found my pee place. It had dried up but my nose found it and rewatered.
Maggie dropped her baggie in a big can and started back towards the door. I could see those laces flopping but my eyes felt heavy and my interest had waned. Eating and pooping had been accomplished. Sleeping beckoned. I ambled past her feet, entered the house and paused at the open crate. No, too soon for that. I kept on going, heading for the couch, but couldn’t muster the energy to make the climb.
Glancing around, I saw Kelty sprawled on a faded, lumpy old dog bed. With a rush of emotion, my mind flashed back to the day Maggie brought home this very same bed, springy and comfy, with a warm green plaid cover. I remembered a much younger Kelty barely filling a corner, so much smaller than the old guy in front of me with his head tipping off the edge. But it was the same Kelty, wasn’t it? My goofy, gawky pal? I approached him cautiously and his eyelids cracked open. I crawled up next to him and curled against his soft black fur. He snorfled loudly and closed his eyes. I was home.
Apparently, she read my mind and opened the door. That’s my girl! Just like old times. I trotted through and sniffed around till the pressure started to build. I paced faster, nose to the ground, then spun in a circle and hunkered down, straining hard. After the sweet sense of relief, I turned to check out what I’d produced, but Maggie was already scooping my efforts into a plastic bag and giving me that “Good potty” routine again. I ignored her and wandered away till I found my pee place. It had dried up but my nose found it and rewatered.
Maggie dropped her baggie in a big can and started back towards the door. I could see those laces flopping but my eyes felt heavy and my interest had waned. Eating and pooping had been accomplished. Sleeping beckoned. I ambled past her feet, entered the house and paused at the open crate. No, too soon for that. I kept on going, heading for the couch, but couldn’t muster the energy to make the climb.
Glancing around, I saw Kelty sprawled on a faded, lumpy old dog bed. With a rush of emotion, my mind flashed back to the day Maggie brought home this very same bed, springy and comfy, with a warm green plaid cover. I remembered a much younger Kelty barely filling a corner, so much smaller than the old guy in front of me with his head tipping off the edge. But it was the same Kelty, wasn’t it? My goofy, gawky pal? I approached him cautiously and his eyelids cracked open. I crawled up next to him and curled against his soft black fur. He snorfled loudly and closed his eyes. I was home.
CONTINUED...
