Dog-watching in Chicago
Mike and I are people watching on Clark Street, Chicago, enjoying sangria outside Andies. I am also dog watching.
Despite the humidity, we have been able to walk the beautiful Northside neighborhoods of Andersonville and Edgewater. Dogs abound.
The restaurants and coffee shops with outdoor patios allow pets to join their owners as they enjoy a meal or coffee. Remarkably, the dogs are well-behaved.
My dog teacher
Our beloved Jigga has been gone just over two years, and I miss her more as time goes on. Jigga taught me about dogs, that each one possesses unique personality, just like each child. Luna, our current canine, has highlighted that fact.
So an ode to Jigga who loved us and expressed her love, greeting us at the door with leaps of joy and exuberant narration of all that had transpired during our separation. Like a loving parent, she forgave us our irritability and neglect.
She protected us, restless until everyone was in the house.
She was gentle in play, but I would have trusted her against an aggressor.
Thank you, Jigga
Mowgli’s relationship with Jigga was a quiver in his arsenal managing ADD. We realized a short time after Jigga’s death that another dog was needed. If not for that, we would have been happy to remain dog-free, knowing that we had been blessed with the perfect pet.
I love Luna. And as if a natural dog lover, I observe each dog, inquire about their history. I could care for any of these dogs.
But as I let them sniff and lick, it is Jigga that I am loving.
I , too, love to watch people and their dogs. We lost Harry about a year ago. And my heart still aches. Harry was not the “best dog” we have ever had. Far from it. He had all kinds of issues, that made him more than a bit difficult. One of those dogs you might look at and say, “who would want a dog like that?” But he was “our dog”. And I loved him fiercely. And defended him endlessly. And he taught me that love is just plain unconditional. And, I think I knew that, but Harry made me articulate it out loud. No small gift.
Harry will not be our last dog. But, not right now. Too busy trying to travel and such, before we can’t anymore. And in the meantime, seeing people walking their dogs I’m just so happy, down to my toes, that all those people love their dogs as much as we loved Harry……. Nothing else quite like it…..