Another Redesign

I need creative outlets every once in a while. I should make time for them more often.

I don't have anything noteworthy from the last couple weeks. But, I will share two quick stories that made these two separate days.

1. About two weeks ago, a stray dog found its way to our front yard. The neighbors across the street prodded that when it had been discovered playing with Fred (their dog) in their yard.

I can't fully explain how, but this stray instantly made it's way into my heart. He was a mutt puppy (going to be a big dog). I would guess he's an Australian Shepard mix. He had both blue and brown eyes and a "coat of many colors" for his fur (blue-tick areas, tan areas, larger spots). He was a uniquely beautiful dog. Not only was he an eye-catcher, he was a sweetheart. He kept leaning against me to pet him and had that "don't you love me?" eye contact down to a science.

Under the suggestion of my little sister, I took him to the pound to be checked for a microchip, and I left him there, knowing that his nice collar, demeanor and the fact that he was neutered pointed towards a family missing him somewhere. I felt TERRIBLE from the second he left my hands for a caged pen. I said a very fervent prayer in my car that he would find his way to his family.

That guilt led me to return to the pound the next morning and request to foster him until his family found him (also, admittedly, giving me an advantage toward adopting him if they didn't). Once we escaped the pound, I drove directly to Pet Smart where we enjoyed an outing to pick up a ball, frisbee, rawhide chewies and puppy food. When we got home, we put good use to all of those purchases.

I named him. I know I shouldn't have, but I did. "Relic". He responded well to it. I began to plan out a change in plans for myself and how I would need to rethink the space I'll be moving to over the summer to accommodate Relic and his need for the outdoors. I consigned myself to enjoying at least two daily walks and fooled myself that Marilyn (my cat) would grow to love him as much as I did.

After dinner, Relic was still full of energy. Mom suggested I take him for a walk so he would sleep well overnight. I got some shoes on and grabbed a leash. Relic and I headed out the door.

I kid you not, we got to the next house when a passing truck slammed on its brakes and pulled over. "Did you find that dog?" the guy who jumped out asked? "Yes", I replied.

The next 30 seconds were a blur of me explaining how I found him, him offering me $ for dog food, excitement from both of them and then watching the two of them drive away in the truck. I was completely disappointed and relieved all at the same time. Relic really was "Malachi" and he wouldn't be mine. But, his family found him, and the love between them was obvious. I'm just grateful to have had a great dog for a day and to recognize the poignant way my prayer was answered.

2. (a shorter story) - At a GOP convention I was at on Saturday, the man seated next to me was very chatty. After a while he turned around and said, "OH! Now I know who you look like!".

"This ought to be interesting", I thought. I've gotten an odd assortment of these statements in the past including Drew Barrymore and Lisa Marie Pressley. But, this was a new one.

"Alisyn Camerota" he said. I had no idea who that was. She apparently is one of the regulars on "Fox & Friends" in the morning. That didn't matter. What mattered was what he said after that.

"You have the same gorgeous eyes and smile". Now... that might have been a total line of crap, but I needed to hear it. It made me feel great for the rest of the day.