We’re into our second week now with JayJay gone, and the spontaneous teary eyes and sobbing are abating somewhat.
You don’t really appreciate something until it’s gone, they say, and we’re experiencing that real-time. Although JayJay was sick and not himself for his last six months, he exuded an energy within the house that was (in retrospect) palpable. If someone came to the door, he led the pack to investigate. If I went into the kitchen or pantry, JayJay would be there right at my feet. When I sat down on the toilet, JayJay would materialize, just to make sure everything came out OK.
He also snored loudly and ate ravenously. And, recently, barked a bunch, probably trying to let us know that all was not well.
So, his absence is noted…and not just by Charlie and I.
Booger is grieving, too. She has skipped quite a few meals; just doesn’t feel right without JayJay next to her loudly vacuuming up his kibble and chicken bits. We’ve found her investigating places in the house, looking for him. She’s become a bit morose, even though she and JayJay didn’t “play” together. I think she simply misses her big brother who was always there with her for ten years, and is a little confused about this mysterious void in her life.
Thank goodness we have Baby to provide companionship for Booger and infuse some dog energy into the gloomy house. We’re all working our way through this, and Baby is helping all of us keep our chins up.
A big Winter storm is coming in later today; it’s is supposed to be cold and rainy for the next three days. Virgin Peak already has snow on it. Whoopee!
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we will be sharing it with some neighbors. Sandy Rose, who spent a week with us in Coos Bay, is hosting the festivities at her house just down the street. Sandy, her mother, Charlie and I, a nice widow neighbor named Heidi, and my hiking buddy Lloyd, will be breaking bread together and enjoying the toasty atmosphere.
My left hip rehab is going well. I am now walking as much as possible around the subdivision. Today, I did a couple of miles with the dogs, and will probably do a few more later in the day before the deluge begins. I have just a slight limp now, with minimal muscular pain, and I’m finally sleeping good. I’m three weeks out of surgery yesterday, so I’m probably slightly ahead of schedule. I’m hoping that I will be 100 percent when we throw our 2nd Annual Holiday Munchie Party for the neighborhood on December 13th. We’re expecting maybe 40 people.
Fingers crossed that the weather allows us to warehouse some of the guests in the backyard. Otherwise, we’ll be stacked like cordwood.