Bad Daisy, Rescue Dog

Fifteen months into owning Daisy, the Jack Russell terrier, we had a bad event in the park just now. I taught Daisy how to fetch a ball and have been playing with her in the park next to my house every day for months. The neighbor girls, ages 5 and 7, run out to meet… Continue reading Bad Daisy, Rescue Dog

A Good Dog Neighbor

(re-run) Yesterday my son and I had lunch together at the local sandwich shop. He brought his little dog — half Chihuahua, half terrier. I fed Violet scraps of lettuce under the table while we ate. She thinks she’s a vegetarian. Afterward, we followed the usual routine and came back to my house, where Violet… Continue reading A Good Dog Neighbor

Why Not to Date your Neighbor

Julie got divorced and moved into her new townhouse with her six-year-old son.  One day, when she was out walking her dog, a guy mowing his lawn turned off the mower and said hello. They chatted about her dog, and Julie mentioned that she had just moved in. Doug rode his bike a lot while… Continue reading Why Not to Date your Neighbor

What’s your Super Power?

We all have one. Some of us have common sense. Some of us can pack a bag like nobody’s business. Some of us have perfect pitch. I have one friend who says, “Give me a fridge filled with leftovers, and I can whip up a delicious meal.” There’s an eight year old girl in Benbow… Continue reading What’s your Super Power?

The Uses for a Ten Year Old

The nine year old in my life has joined the Tweener set. She is a double digit girl now, on her way to teenager-hood. She is doing division now in math, although those pesky times tables continue to bother her. 7 x 9 is her nemesis. So is 9 x 7, 63 divided by 9,… Continue reading The Uses for a Ten Year Old

Border Collies 2, Geese 0

(in honor of Tru, who died last week at the age of sixteen) She named you Tru.  You are a member of the smartest dog breed on the planet, one that performs in sheep-herding trials, one that needs to work every day because you are so intelligent.  You are happy to get into a golf… Continue reading Border Collies 2, Geese 0