Savoring the Dog Days of Summer

Yesterday was a very hot day, but there was more activity in the house than outside, so at one point I  I took a break in the front yard, sitting at the foot of an oak tree.  Suddenly Ruthie The Dog came by and set right next to me, very properly - as a dog might if you flailed a dog biscuit right over their head -  but precisely next to me, like a friend passin' the time on a hot day, and it seemed pretty obvious that her entire purpose was to keep me company.

In short order, Ian was announcing that I was needed for some task, and within a minute, Daniel came out onto the lawn, cereal box in hand, chomping and exploring, probably looking for something to do.  When I mentioned that I was off to my next task, Daniel came over to the foot of the tree where Ruthie and I were sitting, and asked, "Should I take your place?"

Without any exhortation from me, Daniel sat down exactly where I had been, next to Ruthie, and by the time I went into the house, he was petting her with his right hand and feeding her cereal with his left.  This lasted for several minutes before the lad moved on to the next activity, and I was impressed that he was so happy just to share his time and snack with a canine companion.

(August 4, 2012)