As I was replacing a shoelace in my tennis shoe I reflected on the times Zoe would chase me around snapping at my shoelaces, tempting targets. She has moved on to greener pastures and now has an appetite for eyeglasses and pens. After replacing three pair of glasses I finally established the habit of placing them on the mantlepiece whenever I don’t need them to read. Pens have proved a more challenging target. If I set one down in a distracted moment, the next sound I hear is of crunching plastic. The time I have to grab the remnant before she frees the ink cartridge is crucial! Thankfully she isn’t interested in consuming any of these items, preferring to destroy them.

Each of our dogs seemed to have different favorite chew targets. One went for leather, chomping on the Bible cover. Another was fascinated with cords and especially liked out of the way ones under beds. One dog remained fixated on rodent poop despite our constant scoldings. Fortunately all of them have been quick to snarf up any bits that fall to the floor while we are cooking. Except for mushrooms. Somehow they all have drawn the line on mushrooms!

Zoe turned one and reluctantly posed for this portrait. She never sits still, so the photo shows her in a rare moment of calm.

I intended to return to posting early in the month, but right after the funeral it snowed 8 inches. Charlie dutifully cleared it all day only to realize that he had Covid. Then I came down with it several days later. I had avoided the virus for four years, but it finally caught up with me. I am just beginning to catch up with delayed tasks including taking a very shaggy dog to the groomer.

I have missed connecting through our posts and hope to be back writing on a regular schedule again.

The last several weeks I have been away from this writing as a dear family member unexpectedly rapidly declined and then died on New Years’ Eve. Because he was out of state it meant much juggling of responsibilities here and there.

The wake is today, the funeral tomorrow. I wish you all a good new year and I will be back writing very soon.