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End of the Month Weekends
by Uncle Bear
When Sandy settled into the back seat of the car, and all her worldly goods were
placed in the trunk, I knew it was going to be another hard good-bye. As I stroked
her soft silky fur and told her what a great dog she was, my mind went back to
other neighborhood canines that had left with their owners for parts unknown.
Saturdays that mark the end of a month are very often moving away days for
humans and their pets. For folks like myself losing neighbors who have become
friends is tough, but saying good-bye to the four footed creatures we have learned
to love and have returned that love unconditionally, is doubly tough.
End of the Month Days
After the vehicle carrying Sandy drove out of sight, my mood worsened. By that
evening I wouldn't have been a fit companion for Lucifer himself. As I lay in bed
that night I was thankful the next day would be both the beginning of a new
month and a Sunday. My reasoning was, virtually no one moves away on the first
day of the month, and Sunday mornings would herald a walk I take in
conjunction with a volunteer duty.
As my Sunday a.m. walk was coming to an end and I was homeward bound, I
saw them. Stopping and staring unabashed I studied the pair. He was a medium-
size shaggy dog. While he was neither a pup nor a middle-aged dog, he was
entering his prime of life. As he danced and pranced before my eyes, I beheld the
"I-love-life" look in his eyes and the big grin on his muzzle. He was obviously a
very happy canine. My gaze shifted to the dog's owner. She was a woman who
also had that "I-love-life" look about her. Simply watching the pair, there was no
missing the love and common bond that united them.
Walking up to the two while retrieving a doggie treat from a bag I carry, I
addressed the owner, and asked if I might offer the canine a treat. Rather than
reply directly to me, the animal-loving lady turn to her dog and asked, "Charlie
Brown, do you think you'd like a treat?" With his tail wagging furiously Charlie
Brown delivered a very affirmative "YES!"
While talking to the lady, I learned her name was Nan. I also discovered she and
Charlie brown were new to the neighborhood, and had only moved into their new
home the day before. I told Nan where I dwelt and any time I was home, and on
my porch, there would be doggie treats on hand to be shared. Nan, in turn,
shared with me where she and Charlie Brown resided.
After a couple more treats Nan and Charlie Brown continued their walk, while I
turned toward home. While my heart held a small residue of sadness at saying
"good-bye" to Sandy, the joy at meeting Charlie Brown and Nan put a spring in
my step and the thought in my mind: "Perhaps end of the month weekends are
not so bad after all."
Uncle Bear is a writer and researcher in North Carolina. He can be reached through:
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