A Tight Squeeze

Doug hasn't been getting much attention lately. My summer has begun, and I'm all revved up to work on projects, and he's feeling neglected. Michael and I noted this particularly the other day, when we were sitting on the couch next to one another. I was sitting next to Michael in "Doug's spot," and Doug didn't like it. He talked to us for a while (like only a Husky can), then placed his paw between us. There was only about an inch between the two of us, but, before we knew it, he had climbed up between us with his paws in a line and was sitting on my lap, contentedly. I guess he thought I should learn to share!

Unwanted Visitor

The other day, we think we had an unwanted visitor at our house. I don't know who the person was, but he or she was so ungracious as to leave the lights and fan on and the back door unlocked when leaving. How rude! When I came home early, I may have rained on our visitor's parade, though, because he or she didn't get a chance to take anything--just to waste electricity. 

It was an odd feeling, coming home to find things changed in your house that you didn't change yourself. It was not a new feeling for me, however, since my parents' home was robbed when I was younger. I still remember coming home and seeing the front door broken open. We opened the door, and the first thing I noticed was the table and couches were turned upside down. That was the eeriest feeling I think I've ever experienced. 

In light of my past experience, a little electricity wasted and a hand print seemed quite pleasant. It has been interesting lately, though. I've had some good opportunities for self-examination. With all of the strong storms and unpredictable weather that have come through the area this year added to this recent visitor, I have been taught to hold loosely to the things I have. I don't think I have ever been at a point in my life where I felt less worried about my possessions. Granted, we have insurance, and that helps. :)

The other day, it seemed as if there were tornadoes all over the place, but my husband and myself (and our dog) were tucked safely away in a basement. I realized that, if every thing I had had been blown away, I really wouldn't have been that upset. It would have been inconvenient and troublesome, to be sure, but at the prospect of owning nothing, I felt no deep pang of regret. I like it that way. I always want to hold loosely to the things of the world. God will provide.

Now to trust God with my family...that's a different story. (Anxiety-girl: that's me!) 

One Stubborn Husky

I wrote a post about Doug's antipathy for his dog ramp a while back. Since then, he has grown more accustomed to his ramp: he goes right up it most of the time. He normally rides in the middle seat, and he's good with that. I found out the other day, though, that he's not so good with the higher climb into the back of our SUV. 
The other day, Doug went out and rolled in something smelly, so I needed to take him to the vet for a bath. When I pulled out the leash, he was super-excited! He has been on all cylinders lately, since he is feeling so much better. We got to the Durango, where I had set up his pet hammock in the back and his dog ramp. He wasn't so excited when he saw the ramp. 

To make a long story short, it took fifteen minutes of my walking him around and back to the ramp and of his pulling his collar off and looking proud repeatedly for him to give in and climb up. He finally did it, begrudgingly, and received a cherry Popsicle (his favorite: don't judge) as a reward. What a stubborn dog! I guess I should have taken a class or something before owning a husky!

He wasn't to hard to persuade to get into the vehicle to go home. I was really glad, because I wasn't looking forward to the embarrassing prospect of leading him in circles for half an hour in front of dozens of other pet owners going in and out.