Day 66: Spa Day!

I always wake up happy and hopeful about the day ahead of me... but never would I have guessed that such a special treat was in store... SPA DAY... at MR. T'S BOUTIQUE!

I'm winding down from my big day, but I couldn't go to bed without giving you the highlights...

1. Happy to take a road trip!!!
2. Even happier when the trolley veered off the path to Doc Banks' place!
3. Destination: Mr. T's Boutique and Day Spa! I rank it Four Paws Belly Up!
4. Felt the love right away. Great to see Aunt Madison, Uncle Tom and ALL their kids (and grandkid)!
5. Pure unadulterated ROMP!
6. Mom says I need to apologize for the 'tude. I guess growlin' in a social environment is considered an indiscretion. I sowwy!
7. And I'd be remiss without apologizing for my second indiscretion... but I got this unwritten Golden Rule about "going" as far away from as possible! Sowwy!
8. Romp and mischief aside, don't think for a moment that I didn't keep one eye on the Mom! She tried to slip out and get her camera, my towels and brush... I beat her to the door! (So very sorry we didn't get photos though!).
9. BAAAAAAAFF!... Can't beat Mr. T's technique (which includes soothing conversation), nor the break he offers between the wash and rinse cycles!
10. And what better way to top off da baff... I had Aunt Madison brushin' me while the Mom blotted the wets! Took a long time for fruition, but maybe I AM a special boy!
11. Sniffed down the whole house, strictly for investigative purposes. Noone but the pair-of-noid Mom seemed remotely concerned. Ain't sayin' whether I was a good boy or not, but I'll testify to the fact that my extended kin can keep a good secret if I wasn't!
12. Joined my welcomin' cousins... truly a friendly herd... and laid 'round the table of good smellin' foods. Let the Mom break bread, and I basked in the sounds of pleasant conversation and laughter.
13. Could read the Mom's mind and did not beg. She gave me props later!
14. The perfect Apres Spa: Nap on the cool brick floors!

Today set a high mark for the week. I'M LOVIN' THE SECOND LIFE!

Day Three: Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep...

And as my lids grow heavy, I'm etching names on my heart... of all to whom I owe my second life... to those who believed in me and to those who looked me in the eyes, reading the list of my hopes and dreams and determined themselves to make them come true:

"To everything there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under Heaven.

A time to be born, and time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted".

To The Letter Writer of Chapter One: I know this has been hard on you, too. Thanks for doing what you could, and know in the end that you did what was best. My wish for you is the magnitude of love, hope and happiness that I've found... and none of the uncertainty, hurt and fear that I've felt along the way. All's well that ends well, they say... so go to bed tonight knowing that all's truly well.

"A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up".

To Fuzzy Friends Of Waco: Your many acts of kindness and nurturing, your hopes that were invested in me... are etched on my heart. I'll not let you down.

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn,

and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones,

and a time to gather stones together".

To Golden Retriever Rescue of Houston: Wow. Where do I begin? I guess, first... thanks for the lift! You know... from Waco to Houston, my spirits, etc. Uncle Tom, Aunt Madison, Aunt Karen and Aunt Melinda... you were a whirlwind of love, attention, devotion and promotion. And thank you, most of all, for seeing to it that my second life... Chapter Two, if you will... plays out well. Here's hoping that my writings here are just a brief respite from the joyous dance of your match-making!

"A time to to embrace... A time to get.. A time to keep...
A time to sew...A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love... and a time of peace".

To My New Mom and/or Summer Camp Counselor Extraordinaire: Your nuttiness is growing on me... I find your neuroses endearing. Really, I do. I like that you speak to me with kindness and that you like me way more than the things in your house. I even like that silly baby talk thing you do, the way you smooch my nose and just up and hug me for no apparent reason. I like that you sit with me outside, that you come in when I'm ready and sit with me inside. I like to follow you. You look spectacular from behind. I like that if I bolt, you'll chase me with bloody feet till you catch me. I like that you let me know that I've crossed the line of what's expected of me, but you don't hold a grudge. Thank you for your attention, your cool floors, soft beds, fresh waters and tasty foods. And thank you most of all for including me in so much that you do. Gulp. I think... I love you!

Day One: Sleep Over

The rumble stopped and I emerged from the bunker.

I made quick work of some dinners and tentatively agreed to go back to the out of doors.

I say 'tentatively' because I made sure this 'Mama' person sat down in a patio chair and left the door open... before venturing over the threshold. I did quick business, keeping one eye on her and the other on the door.

Back on the inside, the old gal plunked down on the floor with me. I was a bit reluctant to be close, and it seemed to bother her, but she respected it. It didn't stop her, however, from waxing a poetic bedtime story of the hopes, dreams and promises of her heart.

As my eyelids grew heavy, I had three thoughts... first, her hopes might just exceed mine. Second, there's something about her... that I can't quite put my paw on.

And last... in promise, there is hope. (I'll expound on that if I ever get back to Aunt Melinda's).

Day One: Welcome Wagon!

I've spent the afternoon exploring this new place, pawsing only to sit for a snack (though that has been abruptly ended by some misfortunate and what I can only assume are unmannerly gases), sip a few fresh waters and meet the locals!

First I met this really nice woman I found out is my Aunt Susan. I liked her right away, and felt comforted and reassured. She seems to know this 'Mama' person pretty good and says she's really happy for both of us... whatever that means.

I know she said "meant to be" a few times, and I'll have to ponder that when I get back to Aunt Melinda's. That house of hers is a great place to ponder things... safe, comfortable and relaxing.

I feel like I'm really racking up on blessings, because they both told me about an Uncle Mike I have, and how he'll really want to meet me. Another thing I've learned... just like friends, you can't never have too many Aunts and Uncles. Them is good folks, they are.

And speaking of friends! I've got a new one... might just have saved the best for last, because I met this fellow through the see-thru fence!

Seems his name is Sam. I like that, suits him in that "he am Sam" sort of way.

We ran the fence a bit. Sam had a lot to say... me, not so much, but this 'Mama' seemed to celebrate the 'wuh wuh' that I added to the conversation. (Another thing to ponder when I get back to Aunt Melinda's... strange woman, this 'Mama').

And lo and behold, next thing I know... my new Aunt Susan appears on his side of the fence! Who knew! Well... she and 'Mama' started exchanging greetings again over the fence top, just as Sam and I had, only much quieter and with less intensity. And Sam and I slipped to the other end of the yard to sniff noses. I got a good sense about him... and we exchanged pmail addresses.

All good things gotta come to an end, though, I've sadly come to learn. And it happened then, as the skies began to darken in the middle of the afternoon. I urgently persuaded the 'Mama' to let's go to the in of doors as my love of the out is over for today.

Day One: First Thoughts & Smells

Ever have one of those days when you wake up thinking life will be one way... and then it ends up another? I've had a lot of those days lately... today, included.

Morning dawned just like the others these last two weeks, but late morning, I was treated to a car ride! I was as pleased with 'Academy' as the destination as I was to greet the attentive and shmoopy woman I first met two days ago.

She introduced herself this second time as 'Mama', seeming captivated with me, yet again... and before I knew it, I had a new necklace with new jewelry and was in her car, snacking on Buddies Biscuits,sipping spring water from a cup and listening distractedly to her many 'babblings'.

We reached this new place some twenty minutes later and deboarded. Guided on my new leash, I quickly explored both the indoor and outdoor environment.

It seems like not a bad place. There's a comforting and homey smell about it, and there's fresh waters, treats, gifts and a new bed laid out for me.

It might be a trap... ain't quite sure. My history is built on a shaky foundation; I've been uprooted and abandoned. The kindnesses, comforts and securities shown me by my angels has been TOO incredible to trust in full just yet.

And while everything seems to be on the up and up here, if I've learned anything, it's to be wary. This 'Mama' seems over the top shmoopy, so I can probably take her if I have to... but I might need to just 'hear' her out.

Day Minus Two: Buzz

I'm quite enjoying life here at Aunt Melinda's... well, I've come to think of her as my mother... but I still call her "Aunt Melinda' for reasons I'm not entirely certain... maybe because I don't want to rock the boat with her two kids or maybe because I like the special treatment extended kin receive.

There's been a buzz in the air these last couple of days about "Aunt Karen said"..., "eyes"... "captivated" ... "making up for lost time"... "no cats in the household"... and I might be dreaming, but I'm pretty sure I heard "soft heart who's been through as much as Luke has... and needs rescuing, too".

Buzz come and buzz go... but the next thing I know, I'm on my way to PetsMart for a meet-n-greet! I'm all good with that, after all, it's some alone time with Aunt Melinda, and there's good smells in that store.

Well, we walk in and are immediately greeted by this woman who... well, if I seem like a sponge for hopes and dreams and good things to come my way... is my perfect match.

I try to play it 'Cool Hand Luke', Chapter One behind but not yet forgotten and all... But I tend to lean into my desires and comforts... and I leaned into this somewhat nutty woman, who plopped her big butt down in the middle of the main aquarium aisle. And she shmuggled with me. She asked me big questions that I tried hard not to answer. And she leaned into me, in a manner I couldn't resist.

Others came round and showered their attention. And I was grateful when Aunt Melinda broke the at-tension with my 'sit-shake' routine. A treat was well in order, and while I quite enjoyed the visit, I was anxious and a bit overwhelmed with the implications of this 'gathering' and quite relieved to board the same back seat home.

More 'buzz' ensewed... but I long ago vowed to take things one day at a time. And for now, Aunt Melinda's is my good home! Ain't never lived this good!

Four (Paw) Word: Breaking the Bonds of Writer's Block

Writer's Block. There's nothing quite like a long car ride with cheerful and hopeful spirits to break it.

Somewhere between Waco and Houston, I managed to put this little letter of introduction together:

I prefer Luke - my full name is "Cool Hand Luke."

While most say beware of the "Ides of March," I think it is a great date - I was born 3/15/99.

Most say I am your typical golden. I love people, attention and pleasing you. My only real hang-up is a fear of thunderstorms when I really want to be calm and quiet indoors.

I understand GRRH is careful to find happy homes that include the golden inside. That will be a welcome first for me. I was mostly an outside dog in my previous life and have been in a Waco kennel since last September. As much as I love to be outdoors and play, I really think I would blossom in the comforts of your home.

I am healthy, wise and low maintenance, unless you want a whole lot of love. I can really "dish it out," yet I have never been described as needy. I can run circles around pups half my age and would really like to take you for a walk sometime soon.

Luke

I didn't want to give too much of myself in the letter, but I didn't want to hold too much back, either. After all, this is my chance for a second life... my Chapter Two.

I thought of adding... "seeking stability and long term relationship, first and foremost... with doting mother, kisses galore, doors opened at my will, tasty treats, soft beds, cool temperatures, plush toys, evening walks and bedtime stories"... but I didn't want to sound overly hopeful or anxious.

I feel good about these people who've given me a lift. I think they read the full content of my eyes and between the lines of my letter. And I know they're looking out for me.

Chapter One: Abridged Content Because I'm Content Now!

Chronicler: A noun. A student or writer of history <chroniclers who gave often conflicting accounts of what the king did or commanded>.

Look in my eyes.

I'm Luke. And in my first life, I was a chronicler... of good times and sad. I figured, life is what you make of it. And I made the most of what I had. I was good and patient and loving.

I gave what I had to give, but then there were times when I needed. And sometimes you just need what you need really badly. And that's the look you see in my eyes.

In a fit of hope, I've shed the content of Chapter One. I'd like to say those memories have been swept away... but not quite yet, maybe never. That might not be a bad thing, because our histories build our characters... and "to everything there is a season".