Well, less than one month after sending Tankie to Jesus, I got a puppy. Her name is Nutmeg, and she is a doll. Squirt is less bored, and Nutmeg is a joy – in and of herself, and she also brings me closer to my grief for Tank.
The pic of Tankie is a screen shot from 2012 when I was trying to get him to smile for me, and he obliged. I love this pic best of all of them I have, because I see his love for me in it. Much love to all of you who still have your three-legged fur babies with you. I wish them long, long, happy lives.
On a lighter note, I never get to name my dogs!!! Squirt – name thought up by one of my students – we were watching 2001: A Space Odyssey, and she is named for Heywood Floyd’s daughter (really Stanley Kubrick’s daughter), in Heywood’s most human moment, when he calls her Squirt. Tank’s name was given to him by his first owner, and he answered to it, + Squirt & Tank was funny, so I kept it. Nutmeg was named by the new, super-intelligent receptionist at the vet’s office. She was real quick with that name, and everyone really likes it. Plus, my first boarder who I love very much, the daughter of a dear friend, her name is Meg. So it’s a done deal. Now I’m going to see how you all are doing – I’m on fall break & so can spend some time reading your blogs!
Nutmeg is a great name and she’s just adorable! Enjoy your new puppy!
Thanks, Valkyle! She certainly is keeping us on our toes. She is beginning to grow on Squirt, too. She doesn’t have monster paws, the vet thinks she’ll be about 45 lbs. She has long legs, so I think she’ll be a runner. The potty training is exhaustifying, but she is worth it – very sweet, very smart (blessing & curse!)
The pic of Tank is my phone wallpaper, my Facebook profile pic, & I keep it up on my laptop. I loved that dog every bit as much as he loved me, and MISS HIM. My throat constricted at the vet’s with Squirt & Nutmeg, & not Squirt & Tank. No big boy curling into me wondering if he was the one going to get poked at.