Wednesday, October 01, 2008

the thing about dogs

the thing about dogs is they can lie down anywhere and be ready to die. i mean this literally. my dog has an uncanny knack for plopping himself down in the exact place where, if i roll over in the middle of the night, will virtually guarantee his death.

he doesn't seem to mind that he's a bad dream for me from the end of it all. he likes the heat. likes to be part of the pack. so he's willing to put up with occasionally hairy moments like being launched from the bed and down to the floor if mom needs more covers. it's not clear if he understands, but it's clear he's going to be there in the mix no matter what.

i don't point these things out to show how admirable dogs can be. or to imply that they know what they're doing. i don't know if he does or not. but there's something good about having an animal that notices when you're gone. it makes sense. i don't know who first domesticated dogs but the next time i have a drink i'll try to remember to make a toast to 'em.

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