Ungrateful Daisy Dog

(re-run) I was sick today, and my plans to walk the dogs with my girlfriend were dashed. To my surprise, she offered to walk them for me. “You can’t walk them together,” I said. “It’s too hard.” “That’s okay,” she said. “I’ll come walk each of them separately.” “Okay . .. ?” I had the… Continue reading Ungrateful Daisy Dog

A Different Kind of Fall

(re-run from 2018) In my 33 years in California (one and a half down south, the rest up north), I can’t remember a fall where we have not had a drop of rain by mid-November. I also can’t remember ever having three big fires in less than two years that have burned down whole communities… Continue reading A Different Kind of Fall

My Greatly-damaged Rescue Dog

(re-run) It’s been eighteen months since I adopted Daisy. The day after Christmas, 2017, I went out and got my dog Pepper a dog. Pepper has looked at me sideways many times since that fateful decision. Why did you get a Jack Russell? Why did you get this Jack Russell? Why does she growl at… Continue reading My Greatly-damaged Rescue Dog

Hot, Hot, Hot

(re=run from 2019) 102 degrees outside.  Fires are burning in both Northern and Southern California. The once late-summer fire season is now happening in June. California heat is dry heat, low humidity, good for your hair, bad for fire. Four weeks ago we had rain.  Then an explosion of pollen. Then a slow start to… Continue reading Hot, Hot, Hot

Animals in my Life, Domestic and Wild

(re-run) It’s 8:30 p.m. The dogs are in their usual spot, glued to the twilight through the sliding glass door.  They are lying in wait for a rat.  The Jack Russell started this. The lab was happy to snooze in the chair before Daisy came along. Now they stand guard for their yard. When they… Continue reading Animals in my Life, Domestic and Wild

Spring Cleaning in February

(re-run) It started with a koala bear.  A bunch of them.  Some musicians were having a fundraiser for Australia, the fires, and the koalas.  It was donation at the door.  Two and a half hours of music, and I knew three of the performers. We got there early and sat in the third row.  Two… Continue reading Spring Cleaning in February

Daisy in the Spotlight

(re-run) Daisy’s favorite spot at the beach house is on the back of the couch. From there she can see the squirrels taunting her from the trees outside the window. She can see part of the street where dog walkers go by every five minutes or so. Pepper has taken over the antique silk wing… Continue reading Daisy in the Spotlight