Category Archives: Animals

Newlywed Love (#74)

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July 3-5, 1970

After our landlord’s definitive word that Baron could no longer stay with us, we considered moving. Linda, one of my old carpool buddies, had a dog and it was fine with the landlord where she and Ron lived. There was an extra fee for “Rip,” but at least he was legal.

Country Fair apartments.Our lease would run out August 1st, and though we had been planning to stay there another year, I began campaigning to make the move. The Country Fair apartments had something we didn’t: air conditioning. And it didn’t hurt that there was an outdoor swimming pool, too, since the weather was hot and muggy. Both Nate and I loved to swim, and I knew we’d have lots of fun in the pool, as well as being able to spend more time with Linda and Ron.

But Nate didn’t buy my logic. “What about wintertime? And the fireplace we love so much here – not to mention the huge effort and expense of moving.” I hadn’t thought of those, and by now our 3 rooms were full of heavy furniture… three stories up.

“But what about Baron?” I said.

Nate reminded me that my parents had offered to take him — with joy. “And,” he said, “whenever they visit here or we visit there, we’ll get to see him.” But I wasn’t convinced.

Nate continued. “Only one year from now, we’ll be done with law school and moving away from Champaign. We could choose a dog-friendly apartment then and get him back.”

Law booksHe was right. I was so busy with school work I couldn’t imagine finding time to pack and move… or even swim. And Nate was considering a couple of law courses during the second session of summer school. They would be on double-time overload and very difficult, but without a job, he needed to get something accomplished with his summer. Moving would be hard to pile on top of that.

So, while holding Baron on my lap, I dialed my folks. After Mom heard about the landlord she said, “Why don’t the two of you and Baron come this way for the 4th of July weekend. We’re going to celebrate in Michigan, so drive straight there. Baron will love playing on the beach again, and… we’ll be delighted to take him home with us.”

When I hung up, it was all set, though both Nate and I felt queasy. We told ourselves it would only be temporary, which seemed to help – at least a little.

Baron gets awayThe holiday weekend in Michigan was a mix of good and bad weather, happy and sad conversation, and a very tearful farewell to our puppy. When we arrived back in Champaign, our spirits were sagging, and we almost didn’t want to go in… because some of the happy life in our little home had been left in Michigan.

“Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.” (Ecclesiastes 7:3)

Newlywed Love (#73)

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June 28-July 2, 1970

My second week of student teaching was harder than the first. The 22-year-old certified teacher (to whom I was accountable) told me I would be doing most of the teaching while she sat and observed.

That meant every evening I had to study curriculum materials and prepare lesson plans. Since I didn’t know what I was doing with this new grade level, I had to dig into the seminar textbooks by the hour to figure it all out.

Job searchAs for Nate’s days, he continued making calls and pounding the pavement seeking a third job, since day-after-day his name was passed over for construction work, and his pots and pans weren’t selling.

The two of us had virtually no time together and were suffering because of it. We did sit together over our simple dinners, but the rest of the time I was either gone or busy. The only recreation was late-night coffee breaks with Cathy and John… and of course fun in the bedroom.

One evening we gave ourselves the luxury of a walk through the neighborhood, taking Baron with us. His funny antics always lifted our spirits.

DiscouragedWhen we returned to our apartment, though, we discovered we’d locked ourselves out. The only option was to knock on a neighbor’s door and ask to use the phone. Then, after calling the landlord, the 3 of us waited on the front step.

We talked about our sticky situation with Baron being there, and how it could end badly. But I had an idea. “I could take Baron around to the back yard,” I said, “so Mr. Norman won’t see him.”

Nate, with his sterling integrity, responded exactly as I expected. “Better not.”

“But what is he gonna say?”

“Well… let’s just wait and see. Maybe it won’t be a big deal.”

When Mr. Norman finally arrived with his master key, he immediately zeroed in on Baron, perched in Nate’s arms. “Who’s this little fellow?”

Nate introduced them while Baron did his best to radiate puppy-charm. Watching our landlord pat him on the head lit a tiny flame of hope in me. But then he said, “He’s not your dog, is he?”

Nate and I took a quick glance at each other, which of course answered the question. “Well… he can’t stay here. Nothing against him, you understand, but that’s my rule.”

When we didn’t respond, he continued. “I’ll tell you what. You can have through the weekend to figure out what to do. But after that, he needs to be gone.”

Our feet were heavy as we followed Mr. Norman and his key up the stairs. He didn’t chide us for interrupting his evening or threaten to evict us. But as he gave Baron one last pat on the head he said, “By the end of the weekend.” And that was that.

Baron at easeMy heart was hurting, but Nate summed it up well. “We knew this would happen eventually. And really, he didn’t even have to let us back in the apartment… with Baron.”

“I suppose,” I said. “And I guess being honest should count for something” – though right then I wished I’d done the dishonest thing and taken him to the back yard.

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” (Proverbs 11:3)

Newlywed Love (#72)

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June 27, 1970

Nate and I had had 2 rough weeks experiencing the stress of no income and summer school/student teaching adjustments for me. When Saturday finally came, we decided to escape from it all – just for a few hours.

The sunny, warm weather invited us out to play, so we packed a picnic and drove the half-hour to Allerton Park. Though we weren’t sure about dogs being allowed, we took Baron along anyway. He had never failed to win the hearts of everyone he met.

Allerton, one areaAllerton Park has been described as “a vast prairie turned into a personal fantasy land of neoclassical statues, Far Eastern art, and huge European-style gardens surrounding a Georgian Revival mansion.” *

We had explored the estate’s 1500 acres enough to know how not to get lost, and loved the surprises hidden on the grounds. Just when we thought we’d seen every piece of sculpture, each garden, and all the unique oddities on the property, we would come across something new.

Allerton..

Allerton factored into Nate’s and my relationship almost from the start. It was a peaceful place where two people in love could spend time together, whether walking through dense woods or on manicured paths. We had our first serious talk about our relationship on one of those walks, and on another one, explored the possibility of marriage for the first time.

The manor house was gorgeous, and we wondered aloud what it must have been like to live in such a place. The owner, Robert Allerton, had many homes and owned one of the largest Chicago hotels, so when he didn’t need this one anymore, he donated it to the University of Illinois for retreats and study.

Allerton_House(Photo credit: D Finnigan – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18609642)

On this day, feeling depleted, Nate and I were looking for privacy and carried our blanket, picnic supplies, and doggie a long way from the mansion. We were looking for a giant meadow that had a dense forest on the other side of it, because we knew that deep within it was a secluded sunny patch of ground.

After spreading our blanket there, we stretched out on it and snuggled close, with Baron between us. The security of giant trees on all sides with an open sky above was the perfect hideaway from all of life’s woes.

Almost immediately the 3 of us fell sound asleep. When I awoke an hour later, Nate was still lying next to me but was up on one elbow, staring at my me. I smiled back and felt completely enfolded in his love. The problems of our week had evaporated, and no getaway ever meant more.

BaronWe shared our simple picnic, took turns reading aloud to each other, and had some intimate conversation about life and love. We also took time to admire our handsome puppy.

The therapeutic benefits from this one day would last a long, long time.

“May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” (Psalm 29:11)

* Wikipedia