Old Dachshund Likes a Belly Rub
To my blogger friends and other friends—
I’m sorry I’ve been out of contact for a little while. A number of things came together to drain my energy and health and time. I traveled to my sister’s to care for her old dogs while she and her husband went out of the country for a while. I’ve been suffering with a physical challenge that is painful and making it too hard to sleep (meaning often I don’t). And the national election (my nation’s) has been greatly troubling and dis-spiriting, too.
Anyway, my sister and brother-in-law are returning soon. I will visit with them for a time and simply pet the dogs. And go to urgent care, if need be.
I should return to blogging daily shortly. I have much reading and corresponding to catch up with (which with to up the catch). Of course, our past (static) posts can still speak, can’t they?
Happy World Philosophy Day. And in the USA at least it’s also Fast Food day. I wonder how my country might be inflicted with fast food philosophy.
Well, I wish for happier days for all.
Thank you,
C L (Christopher) Couch
Old Dachshund Likes a Belly Rub
On his back because
I rolled him there
All the bumps with age
(No cosmetic surgery, dear),
The little legs are
Shaking
I rub your chest minus
The Vapo-Rub
You seem pleased, if
Sussing grunts and moans is
In my ken—nearly
A hundred of my years,
Though you age
In the same way
These are the clues:
Bright, wet eyes and nose
To amend my terror that
You’ll die this day
While in my care
epilogue
He sleeps (a daily,
Mortal sleep)
Under a blanket
The edge of
Which he likes to
Toss over the
Head, a ritual still
All his own
C L Couch
November 17, 2016 at 12:07 am
nice poignant tribute to your little friend. I have a cat that is in her 19th year, now light as a kitten, but spry and lithe, getting thinner by day. Another cat is 15, a big old Maine Coon, now also becoming thinner though he still has his thick and silky black fur.
November 17, 2016 at 12:23 am
Lovely poem to your sister’s dogs. Its hard when they are old and we know time is short. But I think you just love them the same way you would a puppy, just be gentler and short walks instead of long. A few more treats won’t hurt them. Really touching.
Also, wishing and praying for you, for better health. I have dealt with the sleep issue myself its really awful and it makes the next day awful too. Praying you figure it out. I wish I could help you. My experience is most medications work for sometime but then after awhile you get used to them and they don’t work. For me the best thing has been Clozapine which is actually an antidepressant or anti-psychotic but knocks one out so you sleep a good 11 hours. I do need an immovane or two depending on the night, but mostly it works on its own. Perhaps, you can ask your doctor about it. Its a pain to go on but worth it if it doesn’t make you feel bad after being on it a bit.
Stay well and pet the dogs a bit extra for me!
November 17, 2016 at 10:40 pm
The dogs are good at taking us out of ourselves for a while, I think. The concentration, the physicality of the relationship. Dog in the lap or within reach on the couch or the floor. An invitation…
I do hope that your pain will fade. The pains from all the sources.
November 20, 2016 at 7:59 am
the poem is sooo well-written and heartfelt. 😀 😀 😀
and… i am so worried about you. but i am glad to hear from you again. please be well soon. sending prayers your way. ❤
December 12, 2016 at 6:52 pm
Such a heartfelt poem. These dogs may be little but they carve a big path into our hearts, that’s for sure!
December 18, 2016 at 10:25 am
I hope you are doing well Christopher. Best wishes to you. 🙂