Turds and Birds and Fearful Words

It's still dark out. J, Buzz and I are waiting for it to get light enough to walk.  K got up even earlier than J. He put on the clothes I hate, the ones that mean don't rub against my pants Maxie.  

Once J was outside planting some flowers and I was pushing dirt with my nose, helping her get it arranged.  K came out in a hurry, to say goodbye. He had on those pants he calls khakis.  While he and J were talking, I gave him a nice hug, I pressed my nose deeply into his leg. Then I did it again near his knee in the back.  K said, Well I'll see you in a couple days, hon and J said, Ummmm, yikes... and pointed.  I have to say it was a really clear nose print. You could even see my nostril holes.  K was very exasperated and went in and washed the spot, and came back out.  He said, bye and J said, ahhhhh well..., and pointed to the one by his knee.  Some people can be so growly. 

Bottom line --those clothes mean Maxwell is not going. J says something to K like, You look nice honeybun.  I stand by her to make sure she's not putting on clompy shoes and going away scent.  Today, she's not.  At least K didn't have that rolling bag. I would like to roll that bag right into the storm drain where it would disappear forever like those tennis balls I used to have.  That bag means the pack is separated for a long time; and when he comes back,  K doesn't even have a fresh biscuit for me. So if he isn't hunting for food...??  Today it's a place called Detroit.  I bet Detroit is a fun place to be.

J let the turtle go into the woods behind the house yesterday.  The other day K said to her, How's the turd? and she stared at him for a full minute before she realized what he meant. The thing about K - he just waits it out.  Waits for her to get it and enjoys the process.  She finally laughed and said I really did not know how to answer that! He's doing great. The turd spent most of his time burrowed under his potting soil beach. I couldn't even see him.  J told me it's better for turds to be free. We watched him through the fence for a couple minutes while he got used to the new place. J checked back later and he was gone. Bye, turd.

Yesterday evening J was making fish tacos (Gag. Buzz gets fish oil on his food to help keep his joints limber. J tried to give it to me once and I thought I would be sick.) I was laying on the rug watching her work and playing with my purple baby, that one there, the one from Annabelle. It is an awesome baby, squeaks AND crinkles. Anyway, J looked out the window and then just kept looking. She said to me, I need to fill that thing, that little bird is looking for seeds.  Then she looked closer, and said Oh no! and opened the back door and ran fast, out through the deck to the birdfeeder.  I raced with her. She lifted the birdfeeder down. Inside the clear plastic bin was a tiny bird, exhausted from trying to get out. Hey birdie, said J. Here, the lid is off - you can...  and the bird flew right out.  J told K about it later. It had obviously gotten in through one of those little dispenser holes.  K said, Whoa, weird. Who would have thought that! J filled it back up so the holes are blocked with seeds.  I wish one of those s.q.u.i.r.r.e.l.s would crawl in there and get stuck!!

I've had a hard time with a couple things. J says the best way to deal with your fears is to face them head on.  I want to believe her but I can't keep my mind from filling with dread. On Sunday K became the Hog. We all stood out there to watch him, and when he started the roaring, I just couldn't stand still. I yanked my head right out of my collar and backed way away.  Then when the Hog drove down the driveway, I chased that thing down the street and barked it far, far from me!! JK says I'll get used to it just like I got used to the espresso machine and the smoothie maker.  I like the Hog when it's sitting still. I'll sniff it. But not its noise.

To make matters worse, later that day we had a storm.  Buzz and I can feel the scary air.  We know what's coming and we hate it.  There was a bolt of lightning and then a huge crack of thunder. The wind blew and it rained really hard.  Buzz went into the little bathroom and laid there on the rug.  I would have joined him but K was out cleaning the garage and ignoring all the dangers!!! I stayed out there with him, I wanted to herd him to safety but when another loud bang happened, I was gone. Every man and dog for himself.  I ran out and tore down the street. I didn't know where I was going but I wasn't staying there to be attacked.  Then all of a sudden I thought, what am I doing! I wheeled around and headed back. When I looked up and saw KJ standing in the front doorway, calling me, Maxie, come on in! I zoomed across the street, onto my lawn, into the house. But I couldn't stop shaking.  I hate storms and thunder.  JK just give me a little pat and say, it'll be fine. They don't fuss over me because Cesar says that just reinforces my fears. (Cesar! That's another blog). But I stick pretty close to them. I try really, really hard to ignore the sounds.  I'm so shaky that I can't even hold my ears up.  I was so glad when it was over with.

Remember the construction site across the street? Well, that's what I hate about it. The banging sounds and the loud scraping and squeals and beeps.  When JK eats lunch on the porch, I have to stay there with them, even though the sounds scare me.  I'm getting more used to that one, though.  And oh yeah, I hate the sound of K getting dental floss out of the container.  And that hole punch thing J is using these days to make flower confetti. I don't like that either. 

So those are my fearful words.  J says turn them into a haiku, then we can go for a walk.

The air is purple
I feel so crazy
Sounds steal sane thoughts

There. I faced them.  Now, can we go?