Meeting Roxie At Last

Blogging Friends.... "Marley & Me" author John Grogan has a bit of advice for aspiring writers. Which is this. Write every day, even when it seems impossible. Great advice!! So that is what I, a "published" writer, has attempted to do. Well. Some days I "play hooky" on account of watching my two-year old niece, "Amethyst"!! Write every day, even when it seems impossible. Thanks, John Grogan!! And, while following this advice, I have been seemingly writing more stories about Rose!! Score!! Love you later.

Rose has wanted to meet Roxie so badly, silently whining, her big brown eyes looking longingly across the street, floppy ears perked, and forehead furrowed toward our neighbors Gary and Pat's curly "blond"-furred, pink-nosed Labrador Retriever/Chesapeake Bay Retriever cross. However. For a while, my super protective instincts took complete command over whether or not I wanted Rose and Roxie to meet. I mean come on. I do not know Roxie. She's so huge in comparison to Rose!! Is Roxie friendly? Or aggressive toward other canines? Is she territorial? Truth be told? At first, whenever I spied Roxie outside--off leash--I'd wait to walk Rose until Gary finished his gardening chores and she was brought back in. Because. When canines are not linked to their leashes, it makes me nervous!! What if the loose dog charges? I know, I know. I have since mellowed down a bit with Roxie, because she is obedient while off-leash and seldom ever wanders!! So during such moments of whining, ear-perking, forehead wrinkling longing when I walk Rose, I usually gently encourage her to "keep walking". I also distract my little girl. Yes, I take complete advantage of Rose's attention deficit disorder!! I lead her to bushes. I gently pull Rose along. I act nonchalant. Anything. Eventually, based on observation, I came to recognize Roxie as sweet-natured and calm. "She wouldn't hurt a fly", as that phrase goes. But Rose still hadn't met Roxie. Not yet. It was actually my Beagle-owning, canine-loving next door neighbor who encouraged that I walk Rose across the street to meet Roxie. She somehow sensed my nervous anticipation. Was it that obvious? The following day, Rose was granted a chance to meet Roxie!! At last!! Gary had been pushing his green-colored battery-operated lawnmower through the front yard. Roxie, as per usual, happily accompanied him. Gary's friendly, cheerful, talkative wife, Pat, was also outside. My youngest brother--Uncle Michael to Rose--had been walking with me that Sunday afternoon. We did it. We crossed the street over to where Gary and Pat reside, so Rose could meet Roxie!! This absolutely thrilled my crazy, excitable little girl. Before we even stepped foot onto Gary and Pat's driveway, she let out some high-pitched bays!! Her happy sound. I love, love, love it!! Apparently Roxie--who's aging and a bit white around her muzzle--is in the process of going blind. Thus, Rose's ear-piercing baying initially startled poor Roxie. I could almost read Roxie's thoughts. Who is that youngin.... And why does she have to be so darn loud?! Kids these days. Nonetheless. Within seconds, Roxie was greeting her new friend, with crotch sniffs!! And visa versa!! However. As I chat with Pat, Roxie kept walking away from Rose. She fetched pinecones.... Then ingested them. Roxie walked toward her outside water bowl for several drinks. She wandered freely onto Gary's newly mowed grass. It was as though Roxie had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and couldn't stand still!! Not bad for an "old lady"!! Poor Rose seemingly couldn't understand why her new friend wouldn't stay by our side. And more importantly. Rose seemingly could not understand--or remember--that her purple harness was securely linked to a red leash. If I set Rose free? She would not only frolic around with Roxie--no leash attached--as canines should. But she might also run away without a trace. Rose is, after all, part Beagle!! I am not being overprotective this time. Just responsible!! While still chatting with Pat--and eventually a much more quiet Gary--I stretched my long right arm to allow Rose a little freedom with Roxie. I kept saying this. "We're connected!!" To quote Tony Stark from "Iron Man 3"!! Or Harley, depending on your perspective, as they both say it!! Eventually, we were all chatted out, the sun was shining hotter and hotter and hotter, plus I was insane enough to be wearing black jeans rather than blue shorts. So. I said my final good-byes to Pat--and Gary!!--as quite often once we begin that process, either she or I keep chatting away. Then {With some encouraging!!} Roxie walked back toward where Rose had been sitting and they said their goodbyes.... With crotch sniffs, of course!!