Keeper and I have fostered lots of dogs, but we rarely knew much about their life stories. With Hannah, we do. She’s family. One more casualty of divorce, foreclosure, and a down economy.
Then why does she look so serene? I have to presume it’s the river, which has also kept me sane here in Jacksonville as I navigate this city’s crap-ass job market and wonder how anything ever gets done.
We go out on the dock most mornings and ponder how we ended up here. I’m mean, we’re both in our prime, are we not? Me, with my resume, her, with her mature, laid-back disposition. (She’s actually been known to tackle smaller animals and fight over food, but there’s been no sign of trouble at all. Keep’s inner tube is probably just eliciting pity).
She’s 14 now and over the years, as more animals joined her family (lap dogs, rodents, cats, birds, mice, a horse, a rabbit, and the odd hedgehog) she found herself becoming the outside dog. Albeit in a fancy neighborhood, contained only by electric fence. But still, I think dogs know when they’ve been demoted. As for me, I’m the architect of my own demise (if demise is where this ends up). When the house sold in Virginia, I could just as easily have gone north, where jobs are plentiful. But I took a chance on Florida to be near family—and fell in love with lots of it.
So.
Now we’re three beings on the brink. Just a few great clients could set me back on the path to normalcy, fill my apartment with furniture, and allow me to start having friends over. (A beanbag and a beach chair are not exactly welcoming). But I’ve been searching and meeting and interviewing and exploring for nine months now. Two jobs were so stupid I couldn’t even comply for the sake of a paycheck. A few more months and we might all be living in a van. Down by the river.
At least we won’t have far to go.
But look at that face. Despite her wart-covered elbows, fatty tumors, and occasional asthma, she’s a happy, hopeful girl. Dinner sends her rolling around on the carpet with joy. A short walk makes her whole body wiggle. Hiding out under the bed? A day at the beach in her book.
I think we’ll press on, at least until the end of the year, and hope for the best. Besides, where can I really go with two elderly dogs in tow?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
She reminds me of my Boston… same “special-shaped” ears. I remember talking about her over the years, and it makes me happy to know you took her in. Sounds like you guys have found paradise — I have faith you’ll find a way to pay for it.
On my way to a job today! Hannah is great. She’s super easy and is happy just sitting around eating carrots. No complaints.