Soul Food

***September 25, 2004***

Cool photo, so I think anyway. When Bernie was just two or three, I held open Bernie's mouth so a vet could take a peek at her chops, just because, and the vet asked, "Does she like to chew on rocks?" I said, "No. Sticks, but I've never seen her chew on rocks." Apparently, her molars were rounded off. Not sure why, but she sure did enjoy a good stick from time to time. I still have a couple of hers in the backyard now, maybe she'll get to 'em sometime.

I watched Oliver for three nights this past weekend, Beth was out of town. It was fun, good bonding time. It takes time to bond with a dog, to learn what makes it so cool. I digress on that subject, but I mentioned to Beth tonight that coming home to a dog is like coming home to a party, every time. Even better, when you have a furry friend, you can make a party anytime--or sometimes they'll make one for you when you least expect it. That's always good for the soul.

It's boring here now, at my house. I still haven't figured out what the heck most people do when they come home in the evening, for the six or so hours you have before you sleep. I mean, you can't go out raisin' hell every night of the week. I watch "Intervention" on Mondays, that's good for getting my weeks started off on a dark note. Really, though, what to do? No matter what I do and how long I do it, I end up being bored as hell for a spell. I was never bored with a dog.

Walking Bernie always put me in a good mood. It's cold here, right now really cold, but no matter how cold the weather and/or my mood, I would always make it a point to walk Bernie. A year or two after I moved here, I realized that my mood was always better after a walk, even a normal uneventful walk.

Fresh air is good for the soul. Dogs, even better.