The sun is shining, why are we inside?

It's a fair question. Usually when the sun is shining - and even on days when it isn't - Gracie and I head to the dog park. As the daylight hours lengthen, we can even manage an occasional weekday trek if I get out of the office right at 5 p.m. and traffic isn't too crazy on the drive home. But our outings were thrown off track last week.

It began as an annoying cough Wednesday morning. By Wednesday night, I knew I was in trouble and Thursday morning found me achy, congested, coughing, red-eyed and cranky. I stayed home, curled up in the recliner blowing my nose every 30 seconds and trying not to break a rib from coughing. I hoarsely told Gracie she'd have to go potty out back. No walks today. No dog park.

She took the news in stride and, for the most part, tried to play the role of nurse offering me her Pig for comfort. (No thanks, Pal. Even with a stuffed up nose, that thing doesn't smell so great!)

Friday rolled around and I was still down for the count. Gee whiz, anyone catch the person who threw the brick at the back of my head? Gracie sat forlornly, chin upon the window sill staring outside at the beautiful sunny day. Sorry, girl. I barely made it to the couch today. You'll have to settle for out back, again.

Saturday brought a glimmer of hope that this flu bug was moving on. I rallied in the morning for a trip to the dog park. When we got home, I slept for 2 hours.

Today another minor improvement. We got to the dog park this morning and I only needed a one hour nap afterwards.

Nicknames

I've been thinking about the nicknames we give our dogs. The thought entered my mind while reading one of my favorite blogs, Nigel,Sola & Co. Mr. Author tells the story of how their chocolate lab, Truffles, joined their family and earned the nickname Fudgepants (here's the story). What a great nickname for a chockie - on so many levels!

Gracie has several nicknames. As a puppy, I suspect Gracie thought her name was actually Dammit Gracie. She was a wild, Tasmania-devil of a puppy. I have also had occasion to invoke her full given name - much like our mothers do when we are in trouble - Gracie Lou Freebush. Sandra Bullock fans will recognize this name as her character from the movie Miss Congeniality. As our adventures at the dog park testify, Gracie has easily won this title. Other nicknames come and go depending on the circumstances and events.

But the one nickname that has endured is Bug. The evolution of this nickname is a bit long and windy. It began with Gracie's first "precious," her stuffed toy called a Lambdoodle. (Pig is now her "precious.") Lambdoodle was her first toy. The toy that she cuddled with on the long drive home from the breeder. It was the toy the comforted her on those long nights in the crate as I tried to resist the urge to bring her to bed with me and the small puppy whimper was replaced with the Baa Baa of Lambie. Alas, after several months, Lambdoodle was lost in a horrific puppy diarrhea accident. Forever gone, but not forgotten.

So the nickname for Gracie began as Doodle. Then became Doodlebug. Then Doo-bug. And finally Bug.

Do you have nicknames for your pups? I'd love to hear the stories.

Saturday at the Park

Saturday was a beautiful spring day in Salem...in February. Gracie and I found ourselves among the last to arrive at the dog park Saturday afternoon. I've never seen the park so busy. All three parking lots were full. Cars were lining the roadway and making their own parking spots. I finally had to wedge the Escape in between two big trucks that had created their own parking area. It was a long walk back to the dog park...well, not really, but it's long when your stuck on either end of the leash when freedom is calling.

We made one loop around the big field. I found myself in a contemplative mood, so I marveled at the wonder of the dog park, the size of the off-leash area and the fact that despite all the people, it didn't feel crowded. How lucky we are in Salem to have this open space. Gracie was in her element. She ran to each person with a happy lab wiggle, proudly showed off her tennis ball (carried firmly in her mouth at all times) and waited for the forthcoming back rub. Gracie gets complimented for two attributes - her enthusiasm and the softness of her coat. I frequently asked what I feed her. It's Blue. But even as a puppy, her coat was silky soft. I jokingly tell people it's because I walk her in the rain all the time. Who knows...maybe it is.

I'm not sure who benefits more from our trips to the dog park...Gracie certainly because of the exercise and her need to be social; or me, because I feel so contented there and get such a joy from watching the dogs be dogs.

Bumper sticker logic

The philosophy is simple and it is lived out each day at the dog park. Once again, we humans could learn a lot from our canine pals: wag more, bark less.

At the park this morning, the sun was shining, but a chill was in the air. The parking lot was full. Dogs were barking to be released from back seats and rear cargo holds. Once released, though, it was all wags and smiles.

I've been trying to limit Gracie's activities at the park. She's been limping around a lot lately. The vet thinks it's arthritis in her left rear knee and right rear hip. This makes me nervous. She's not even 4 yet. I can't keep her from being a dog, though. I love watching her at the dog park. She runs up to almost every human out there, shows them her ball (carried happily in her mouth at all times), turns her fanny to them for a quick butt pat or scratch and then dashes off to the next human. Almost to the person, I see their face light up as if Gracie has singled them out for special attention.

Imagine if we greeted not only our friends, but also strangers with the same exuberance that the dogs exhibit at the park. Even the barking I hear at the park is a shout of joy -- mostly from the hound dogs just arriving.

Wag more, bark less is the tag line of a dog food brand, Cloud Star. They make yummy treats for dogs - especially dogs with sensitive tummies and food allergies. (Gracie falls into the first category, although you'd never know it by the junk she eats.) In addition, to fine dog treats, the company also contributes 10% of its net profits to various non-profits to benefit animals, women, children and the environment. Here's a company living out their motto.

We've been hearing a lot lately about what our country needs to get through the difficult days ahead. As for me, I'm going to try to live out my new bumper sticker and wag more, bark less.

Me and Pig...Part 2

That dumb dog. Everything she does is cute and adorable. She has a million toys and what do I get? One lousy mouse stuffed with some sub-par catnip. I can't even enjoy that without Miss Nosey stealing it away from me. And does she get scolded? No! But let me raise one paw in her direction and next thing I know I'm chucked outside. I use to be king of this castle...sleeping in bed with mom, ruling the house. Now, Little Miss Princess of Everything gets all the attention.

But I got even...me and Pig, indeed!

Me and Pig

Editor's note: Today's blog is written by Gracie as communicated through a series of woofs, yarps, rrrrrs and barks to her companion, Beth.

Mom brought Pig home about 4 months ago. I like to tear up stuff toys. They are squishy and I want to see what's in side. It might be food. But it never is. Still...it could be.

Pig was different. He wasn't squishy except for his head. But his feet made an irritating squeaky noise. Until I broke them. I don't think I hurt Pig. His feet never tore.

Pig is my favorite. I like to cuddle with him almost as much as I do my mom. Yesterday it was cold and damp outside. Mom sat in her favorite recliner. I wanted to cuddle with her, but also wanted to hug Pig. Mom laid Pig across the arm of the chair so I could cuddle with both of them.

At night I sometimes forget to bring Pig to bed with me. That's a hassle 'cause then I have to get off the bed and go look for him. Sometimes I'm so tired that I can't jump on the bed with Pig in my mouth. Mom says I look pathetic...I think that's a good thing, 'cause then she takes Pig and places him on the bed, and then gives me a boost. I try to look pathetic a lot.

Next to living with my mom and my cat, Mungo, Pig is the best thing in my life. I'm glad he didn't have anything squishy inside him. I'd hate to think I might have tore him up for no good reason.

Gracie

Spread a little hope...and bark chips!

Today marks the birthday of Martin Luther King. For the first time in the 19 years I've worked for SAIF, we were given the day off...and a challenge: spend your holiday giving back. I probably would have ignored this if not for the prodding and example set by some of my coworkers who devote themselves to serving others. In an ad hoc committee meeting, my name was raised, I was approached, and, since the "giving back" involved one of my favorite places - the Minto Brown Dog Park - I agreed.

We had a glorious day for spreading bark chips along the muddy trails. As you'll recall, just a few weeks ago, the park was mostly under water. But today was one of those confusing Oregon winter days - brisk chill in the early morning hours giving way to a pleasant high 40s, sunshine and blue sky. (We all know the rain will return, but in the meantime, we lie to ourselves saying this is how the weather always is in January!)

I happily greeted six co-workers along with three additional family members and four dogs at 9 a.m. at the still frosty dog park. As an added bonus, two other ladies who had heard about our endeavors asked to join us. We divied up chores and set about to move a mound of bark chips to the muddy trails. The Minto Brown Dog Park does not allow motorized vehicles, so moving all the wood chips was down by wheelbarrow, pitchfork and rake (all graciously provided by the City of Salem).

The crew worked steadily and cheerfully for a good two-half hours. Clearly a lot of physical labor for us office workers! Our dogs enjoyed themselves spending their time playing with each other, greeting other dogs in the park and inspecting our bark spreading abilities.

It might be the timing of this MLK Day. We are on the cusp of a momentous inauguration. A glimmer of hope in these dim days is breaking through. The idealist in me seems to be gaining a foothold. We didn't cure cancer today. We didn't solve the world's hunger crisis. We didn't restore the stock market. But we made a few trails less muddy and were thanked by those walking by.

Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.

--Martin Luther King, Jr.