DECODED DOG PROLOGUE: A PERFECT MOMENT
The softness of her paws on the hardwood floors ruffles the silence of the night. I know it’s her by the distinct sound of her gait, and because for thirteen years, this magnificent creature has been my constant companion, my heart-dog. Ania stops at the end of the hall and lifts her head, scanning the living-room for me, then continues her journey. She gently places her front feet on the couch. I lean forward and offer my cheek. She snuffles, content, and climbs up next to me, collecting her legs around her, morphing into a warm, fuzzy ball. But before she tucks in her muzzle like a snow goose in a winter storm, she looks back at me and asks with her big brown eyes, “You okay?” I rest my hand on her, absorbing the calm she radiates. She sighs, curls in, and falls sleep.
I exhale and settle into this perfect moment.
My life’s dogs
I look at his face in these photos of the who fill my life and my memory, and I am grateful. While Izzy wags her tail incessantly, and grins for attention, and Bonnie fills the house with the never-ending tip-tap on the floors, I am grateful for a life shaped by the dogs loved, and magnitude of the change as each one leaves.
Hobbes was a rescue, he came to us to be loved. There was always something a bit distant about him, he seemed to consider himself unworthy, remaining in the background, rationing his attempts to come forward. It was three years before he would settle in and reveal his true personality. It broke my heart to think of how different his life could have been if he had found his forever home from the beginning. I hope we made a difference. He also came with squamous cell carcinoma, which took 7 toes, one-by-one, and eventually, took his life. Like Hobbes, to donate a sample for NIH’s SCC study, please dog_genome@mail.nih.gov.
the things we do for love
Sofie found hers 
A patchwork of mismatched rugs covers our wood floors so our 14yo won’t slip. I hope to keep this look a for a long time. 
gated village 
Endless mole excavation, endless baths
Old dog, new view. This is my Abby, 14yo, two years after cataract surgery. Both eyes were cloudy, and due to her age, we opted to just do the left one – you can see in the picture how different they look now. She was my foundation bitch, and gave us three beautiful litters. This was the least we could do for her. She now romps the yard, and catches the ball mid air like she used to…and though she has slowed and struggles to get up on the couch, when she locks eyes with me, it makes it all worthwhile.
ya, I’m into poodles
