Kinda sorta! And then last evening, he blows us away by walking calmly by my side on a lead!
His mind is a sponge and we really want to do this right. There are old ways and the more gentle, modern and empathic ways. We're choosing the empathic way.
Not for us the grabbing of the muzzle and squeezing when bites happen, or the old thing of rolling a pup on their back and standing over them, the way some of the oldies are advising us. Can you believe it?
He's not wild, nor in a pack. He's a dog that has been bred from generations of domestic dogs and he's intelligent - imagine what hardcore 1940's and 50's dog management would do to a formative nature... gaaah.
Yes, but with no distraction. Imagine when he gets into the world where there are many dogs, cars, trucks, people everywhere... a whole other thing. Gulp.
Now that I am well into my 70s, memories take on a poignancy that tugs the heart . I chuckled at a recent chorus rehearsal when the young ones told me that the song "I'm a Believer" was from the movie Shrek. I then informed them that the Monkeys had introduced the song in the 60s! Music especially can take me back to places and people that cause my heart to ache. Perhaps that's the origin of my love for the Beatles' " In My Life ".
Rereading My Dog, My Buddha as a refresher for me, more than for Dobbins. I remember the sleep deprivation ( truly the perfect torture) of young parenthood of babies and puppies...my mantra was, " This,too, shall pass. This, too, shall pass...please!"
I remember when the Ted Mulry Gang released ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’ in the 1970s and my brother being so shocked when my father started singing along to it. There’d been so many versions of it over the years - no wonder he knew it so well - but to my little brother, how could Dad possibly know this Brand New Song??!!
I LOVED the Monkeys! Yes, music is perhaps the ultimate jump starter. Fragrances too.
I think as we age that memories give us a sense of place, a sense of being when we know our 'place' in this world is thinning out, like a veil that has been hanging in the sun for too long. I say hang on to the memories; they're history for oncoming generations.
Must seek out My Dog, My Buddha. It fits the current brief.
And thank you for the hugs and the mantra - 'This Too Shall Pass'.
Dear puppy helping out in the garden!! I love that Substack will be a record of these moments for years to come. And thanks for the memories of Glenn Shorrock and the Little River Band. Hugs my dear. Sleep well when you can. 🤗🤗❤️💕
Wasn't Little River Band great? Reminiscing is one of my favourites, so cool in the musical sense of the word.
I welcome your hugs, Beth, thank you. OH and self did a deal last night - he did the wake-ups and let me sleep on and I will do them tonight. And so forth. It's not so painful now as the Womble goes straight back to sleep and at the dawn one, a difficult time 'cos its light, he gets a Kong smeared with licky food and the licking enables him to self-settle and he goes back to sleep for another two hours. Dare I think we're getting there?
What a sunny balm to be reading this today after such ongoing hell on the news all week! Thank you, Prue - your pup is changing so quickly he's really getting that JRT swagger now! A handsome lad, too. LOVE the card catalog analogy, relate hugely. (Of course I do). Cheers for the shout-out also! xo
Also loved the card catalog pic! Growing up, I spent as much time in the library as possible; I also worked in a tiny community college library for 3 months. Put me in any library, and I feel at home.
Now here's some news. I too worked in a library. I qualified as a librarian as a post-graduate, did a year in service and then moved on but those wooden shelves were very special. I'd love some in my house - but no room. I have an acquaintance who has a large set and has catalogued all her embroidery supplies. Envy pure and simple.
Why am I not surprised to hear this lol!? I also know someone who purchased a set of these drawers when a large public library was changing its location but I don't think she ever filled them. I love a bit of high organization myself so I will deep bow to your embroidering friend!
Not me so much, Susan. I really found libraries weren't for me and moved on to become a programme research assistant at our large national broadcaster. Later, against my better judgement, I moved into on-air presentation. But perhaps that's another story.
Oh my gosh, you wrote some really lovely words, but honestly: that pup!!! I can't take my eyes off him!
Loved your description of learning to dive. You captured that thrilling pleasure of finally getting it right. It was such a milestone in swimming skill, to be able to easily dive. It was freedom and attitude, all in one.
Do you know, I can still feel the cool rush of water past my body as I dived into that deep water. I love diving but since losing the rightside balance, I have to do it with someone watching, as it takes little for me to get the wibble-wobbles and disorientation. THAT'S why memories are so good...
Oh, that pup's face! ❤️ This post felt breezy and relaxed and content. Rosamunde Pilcher's books were the last books my mum wanted to read before she stopped reading, and my husband and I bought as many as we could find. I smiled when I saw them on the bookshelf picture. I hope sound continuous sleep becomes a constant new normal with the pup - and you.
Pup is precious and growing even before OUR eyes. I can only imagine how it feels to you.
I do so much reminiscing these days. Maybe something to do with more than half my life gone? The card catalog analogy is perfect, and now I want one of those cabinets for real (though I've nowhere to put it)!
I loved all of this, Prue, but truly felt my heart swell at your last little story of the couple on the beach. Watching the sea claim our wishes and spread them wide...I trust you to write on behalf of many. 💙
Waterbaby or mermaid, they both apply! You share your memories and life with such verve and color! Nothing navy or neutral about them 🤩
I too loved, *loved* Rosamund Pilcher, and read all her novels. It was pure time-travel fun to see the bookshelf full of her books!
Puppaggedon…perfect! I so admire you for making progress on your novel with full time baby care. Maybe all the warm fuzzies you get from your little Womble also spark your creativity! Thank you for the wonderful post 😊
Your PS of the message in the sand has warmed my heart right from the inside, dear Prue. I love things like that. In fact, Jim and I had a lovely sunny Sunday morning at the beach yesterday - the tide was out and there were acres of firm, wet sand - I wish I'd written something! Next time; there's always next time!
I've loved reading your reminiscences. Life is incredible - every single loose sheet of experience an important page of our own story. Wonderful. x
Memories are brilliant to explore, aren't they? I love it, although my oldest memories are rather sketchy!
I have a very elderly friend (90s) with dementia, and although her recall is now very different there are things she knows well from yonks ago and can talk about them - just not always in context.
Gorgeous words & pics! Love the idea of the memory filing boxes too. Glad pup is behaving …kinda sorta!
Kinda sorta! And then last evening, he blows us away by walking calmly by my side on a lead!
His mind is a sponge and we really want to do this right. There are old ways and the more gentle, modern and empathic ways. We're choosing the empathic way.
Not for us the grabbing of the muzzle and squeezing when bites happen, or the old thing of rolling a pup on their back and standing over them, the way some of the oldies are advising us. Can you believe it?
He's not wild, nor in a pack. He's a dog that has been bred from generations of domestic dogs and he's intelligent - imagine what hardcore 1940's and 50's dog management would do to a formative nature... gaaah.
Oh my goodness, learning to walk with his lead already!! Such a smart little guy 😊
Yes, but with no distraction. Imagine when he gets into the world where there are many dogs, cars, trucks, people everywhere... a whole other thing. Gulp.
It sounds like you’re training him so beautifully, he will be able to rise to the occasion!
Now that I am well into my 70s, memories take on a poignancy that tugs the heart . I chuckled at a recent chorus rehearsal when the young ones told me that the song "I'm a Believer" was from the movie Shrek. I then informed them that the Monkeys had introduced the song in the 60s! Music especially can take me back to places and people that cause my heart to ache. Perhaps that's the origin of my love for the Beatles' " In My Life ".
Rereading My Dog, My Buddha as a refresher for me, more than for Dobbins. I remember the sleep deprivation ( truly the perfect torture) of young parenthood of babies and puppies...my mantra was, " This,too, shall pass. This, too, shall pass...please!"
Hugs Prue! Thank you always for your writing!
I remember when the Ted Mulry Gang released ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’ in the 1970s and my brother being so shocked when my father started singing along to it. There’d been so many versions of it over the years - no wonder he knew it so well - but to my little brother, how could Dad possibly know this Brand New Song??!!
I LOVED the Monkeys! Yes, music is perhaps the ultimate jump starter. Fragrances too.
I think as we age that memories give us a sense of place, a sense of being when we know our 'place' in this world is thinning out, like a veil that has been hanging in the sun for too long. I say hang on to the memories; they're history for oncoming generations.
Must seek out My Dog, My Buddha. It fits the current brief.
And thank you for the hugs and the mantra - 'This Too Shall Pass'.
Dear puppy helping out in the garden!! I love that Substack will be a record of these moments for years to come. And thanks for the memories of Glenn Shorrock and the Little River Band. Hugs my dear. Sleep well when you can. 🤗🤗❤️💕
Wasn't Little River Band great? Reminiscing is one of my favourites, so cool in the musical sense of the word.
I welcome your hugs, Beth, thank you. OH and self did a deal last night - he did the wake-ups and let me sleep on and I will do them tonight. And so forth. It's not so painful now as the Womble goes straight back to sleep and at the dawn one, a difficult time 'cos its light, he gets a Kong smeared with licky food and the licking enables him to self-settle and he goes back to sleep for another two hours. Dare I think we're getting there?
Wonderful! It’s all about learning each others’ routines. Slowly but surely.
What a sunny balm to be reading this today after such ongoing hell on the news all week! Thank you, Prue - your pup is changing so quickly he's really getting that JRT swagger now! A handsome lad, too. LOVE the card catalog analogy, relate hugely. (Of course I do). Cheers for the shout-out also! xo
It is a swagger! Spot-on! Let's hope the personality's not too ebullient.
XXXX
I always say, no one likes a goody-two shoes woof lol! (And, it's a good job haha!)
Also loved the card catalog pic! Growing up, I spent as much time in the library as possible; I also worked in a tiny community college library for 3 months. Put me in any library, and I feel at home.
Same! I stayed in library work for 40 years, and all those Saturdays too, yikes :)
Now here's some news. I too worked in a library. I qualified as a librarian as a post-graduate, did a year in service and then moved on but those wooden shelves were very special. I'd love some in my house - but no room. I have an acquaintance who has a large set and has catalogued all her embroidery supplies. Envy pure and simple.
Why am I not surprised to hear this lol!? I also know someone who purchased a set of these drawers when a large public library was changing its location but I don't think she ever filled them. I love a bit of high organization myself so I will deep bow to your embroidering friend!
I have SERIOUS library envy now - all three of you!!! And the lovely Mary B, of course!
That’s wonderful! I had seen in your posts somewhere that you were a career librarian…unsung heroes, all of you!
Not me so much, Susan. I really found libraries weren't for me and moved on to become a programme research assistant at our large national broadcaster. Later, against my better judgement, I moved into on-air presentation. But perhaps that's another story.
Sounds intriguing! I hope you’ll write it sometime!
Oh my gosh, you wrote some really lovely words, but honestly: that pup!!! I can't take my eyes off him!
Loved your description of learning to dive. You captured that thrilling pleasure of finally getting it right. It was such a milestone in swimming skill, to be able to easily dive. It was freedom and attitude, all in one.
Do you know, I can still feel the cool rush of water past my body as I dived into that deep water. I love diving but since losing the rightside balance, I have to do it with someone watching, as it takes little for me to get the wibble-wobbles and disorientation. THAT'S why memories are so good...
Oh, that pup's face! ❤️ This post felt breezy and relaxed and content. Rosamunde Pilcher's books were the last books my mum wanted to read before she stopped reading, and my husband and I bought as many as we could find. I smiled when I saw them on the bookshelf picture. I hope sound continuous sleep becomes a constant new normal with the pup - and you.
Rosamunde Pilcher -- 💙
Indeed. XXXX
Thank you, Mary.
I've never read Rosamunde Pilcher, although I keep meaning to seek out 'The Shell Seekers' on Libby. I'll get onto it! x
Pup is precious and growing even before OUR eyes. I can only imagine how it feels to you.
I do so much reminiscing these days. Maybe something to do with more than half my life gone? The card catalog analogy is perfect, and now I want one of those cabinets for real (though I've nowhere to put it)!
I loved all of this, Prue, but truly felt my heart swell at your last little story of the couple on the beach. Watching the sea claim our wishes and spread them wide...I trust you to write on behalf of many. 💙
My God yes. I am so sad for so many right now.
Waterbaby or mermaid, they both apply! You share your memories and life with such verve and color! Nothing navy or neutral about them 🤩
I too loved, *loved* Rosamund Pilcher, and read all her novels. It was pure time-travel fun to see the bookshelf full of her books!
Puppaggedon…perfect! I so admire you for making progress on your novel with full time baby care. Maybe all the warm fuzzies you get from your little Womble also spark your creativity! Thank you for the wonderful post 😊
It's strange, Susan. My best writing comes when I'm stretched. I think it's a mental escape and allows me to withdraw into a world of my creation.
And golly, I think I hit on something when I mentioned Rosamunde Pilcher. The first one i read was Shell Seekers. What was yours?
I can’t recall exactly, but I’ll bet mine was Shell Seekers too!
Fabulous words as always Prue, and of course little pup is adorable, he'll be growing up so fast, so much for him to learn at this stage.
As you say this too will pass, but some great memories along the way xx
Yes, beautiful memories and two I already have that bring me to tears. I'll share one day.
Your PS of the message in the sand has warmed my heart right from the inside, dear Prue. I love things like that. In fact, Jim and I had a lovely sunny Sunday morning at the beach yesterday - the tide was out and there were acres of firm, wet sand - I wish I'd written something! Next time; there's always next time!
I've loved reading your reminiscences. Life is incredible - every single loose sheet of experience an important page of our own story. Wonderful. x
Thank you, Rebecca. I've a ton and it gives me a real thrill to be able to recall. Means I'm not quite tripping down the dementia road just yet...
Memories are brilliant to explore, aren't they? I love it, although my oldest memories are rather sketchy!
I have a very elderly friend (90s) with dementia, and although her recall is now very different there are things she knows well from yonks ago and can talk about them - just not always in context.
But that's okay, isn't it. Those memories are tethering her to her version of reality. Bless the human mind that it CAN make memories.