Today is a tail-wagging day: my 9th birthday. That makes me a contemporary of Midge, since we’re both in our mid-60s now. She gave me a wonderful birthday present, telling me I could write tonight’s blog. She also gave me an extra rawhide. I especially like the ones with the red stuff in the middle, which is what I got today.
In response to public demand for an update on last week’s tail injury (“Without a Wag” Oct. 13, 2011), please know I’m doing well. That fateful day when I failed to hit my mark while leaping onto the high deck at the back of the car, I crashed backwards to the asphalt, bending the base of my thick tail in a way it shouldn’t have bent.
Immediately it got black and blue, but with my black fur coat, who knew? Because it hurt to move it, I was forced to stop wagging, a tremendous sacrifice. Not to be able to show acceptance and affection to my loved ones was a terrible loss, the start of a depressing week for me.
But Midge sympathized with my dilemma, and as I tried to communicate love with my eyes, I’m pretty sure she got my drift. She doesn’t have a tail herself (poor thing) and can’t wag her emotions, but I’ve gotten good at figuring out how she’s feeling by other clues she gives.
A year ago as she was crossing over all the “firsts” without Pidge, she wouldn’t have been doing much wagging even if she had had a tail, especially during the October days leading up to the first anniversary of his death (Nov. 3). But this year was a different story. Although sometimes I catch her with a tear on her cheek, mostly her wag-o-meter is in a wiggling position, and her face is dry.
I’m thankful for her, and I know she’s thankful for me. Now that my bruise is healed and my wag is 100% again, I’m able to tell her that every day. As for her, despite the disadvantage of not having a tail, she does her best with words, weaving them into tales of another kind.
By the way, I saw her take a juicy red steak out of the freezer tonight. Maybe if I wag really good…
“The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.” (Deuteronomy 28:13)
Happy birthday to Jack! Love it when he blogs:-)
He definately is a very gifted dog. You are so blessed Margaret!
GRATTIS JACK!! Great to read midge blog even when you write 🙂
Thank you Jack and Margaret for bringing a smile to my day. : ) Thank God for our wonderful and loving dogs.My little Papillon “Isaac” has been such a Blessing to not just me…but so many others.
Thank you Jack and Margaret for bringing a smile to my day. : ) Thank God for our wonderful and loving dogs.My little Papillon “Isaac” has been such a Blessing to not just me…but so many others.
Happy Birthday, Jack! Only you would affectionately think of Midge, amidst your own tail-hurting dilemna, and say “poor thing” that she doesn’t have a tail. :o) I hope you got a least a small bite of that steak too.
Give Jack a big birthday hug from me! Glad his tail can wag again:)
I love your humor Midge!
Happy Birthday Jack! You are right; it is very difficult not to be able to express our emotions and sometimes to read the emotions of others. Everybody has different “waggers” I have no dog but I do have four cats and I think we all can read each other well when we listen with our hearts.
Love and laughter….best medicine of all !! Happy birthday, Jackie.
Honestly Margaret – you write the best things. I’m so happy you have Jack in your life. If I had a tail it would be wagging like crazy.
Happy 9th Birthday to Jack! He’s a great dog, with a great owner!
Happy Birthday Jack! today is my sweet husband’s bithday also. I still miss him so much! Thanks for brightening my day.
Sending a big hug to Jack. I’m so blessed when he blogs. Jack is so honest and just tells it like it is. One of our little critters, Lloyd, a small jack russell is in the hospital this week. I know that Jack would love him. We are praying that he gets better as we miss him so much. He has that amazing little tail that communicates so much love to us as well. God did such a wonderful thing when he gave us pets to love! They love us no matter what and it just feels so good.!!!! Blessings always!
Jack, did you “see” the video of the dog and his best friend, an elephant? When the dog was injured, the elephant stayed by his side, and lovingly stroked the dog, very gently, with his huge foot. I miss you. Keep waggin’ and make sure your “buddy” is ok. Pats n Hugs.
So good to hear from Jack on his birthday! Happy birthday, Jack!! Glad that your tail is wagging better these days! I’ll bet just seeing your tail wagging makes Margaret feel like wagging the tail she doesn’t have!! I’m really going to have a hard time picturing Margaret in my mind now without imagining what her tail would look like!! 🙂
Awwww, Jackie! We love you. Happy, happy birthday!!!