Cool Your Heelers

Last night’s dinner was a tuna fish sandwich, a handful of raisins, the remaining third of a container of Rainbow Sherbet and a beer.

This is one of the benefits of living alone.

Living by yourself is an indulgence. Don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise.

No negotiating over nightly menus or remotes. The bathroom is cleaned when I determine its just too gross to use. And, because I’m cheap and spend most days outdoors, air conditioning is rarely used.

Until I met Doug.

It is true. My dog has shamed me into using air conditioning. Around the clock.

Like most old farmhouses, the downstairs stays dark and cool. On a hot afternoon, I’m grateful for the refreshing respite of sitting inside for a few minutes with a cold drink. Then I look at Doug.

He moves around as if the exertion of walking is too much to bear. He throws himself onto the floor letting me know that staying vertical might do him in. He sprawls out, first on the hardwood then, when it has offered up every morsel of coolness, he splays on the hard, cold plastic of his crate liner.

The thermostat is begrudgingly lowered to 76.

All couples face air conditioning drama but ours is extra touchy.

See, Doug arrived with several rules. First, he was an “outdoor” dog. Raised outside, like thousands of years of canines before him. Second, his sole purpose was to guard the farm. Protect the livestock. Work the fields and keep the deer at bay.

He’d live on a side porch until spring arrived and he was old enough to move into his doghouse. He’d never know, or miss, the luxuries of indoor life.

On a particularly bitter night I ‘invited’ him in to sit by the fire. Within an evening or two he was on my lap. Then he took over my favorite chair. He learned how to negotiate the staircase, made it into the bedroom and, well, surprisingly jumped onto the bed.

I don’t know how long this situation can go on. Tensions are high. I’m going to give it another year or so and if things don’t improve, drastic measures will be necessary.

We’ll probably have to get a new puppy, an outdoor dog. A real worker. One that pays its own way. Doug and I will both be grateful. Cool and grateful.

Enjoy the summer, stay cool and, as always, thanks for stopping by!

Carolyn

#FarmLife