The deal is…I care for the little boy named Levi and Alex cares for the little dog named Finn.  This is a good and proper way to do things in our house because Alex doesn’t change diapers very well and I don’t like standing around in the cold and wet waiting for a dog to ‘go’.

Today, our well oiled plan became a little turned around.  Alex has been feeling particularly bad since we have entered the monsoon season here in our town!  Really, we are all either floating away, have sandbags at our door or are molding!  Hurry Spring!    And, since there was rain predicted for three days straight…this was going to be one of those “Let’s stay in our pajamas all day and chill out” kinda days.  Levi and I both thought it was a grand idea!

The housekeeper was going in to do Alex’s apartment and since he was moving so slowly, I went in to lend a hand and let Finn out to take care of his business.  It was pouring rain.  So, I intended to just stay in the doorway.  No such luck…I had to step out on the porch.  And, it was wet with standing rain. And, I did not have my shoes on…day in pajamas and chilling, remember?  Well, Finn finally bonded with nature and decided to come back in.  As I stepped back in I took off my socks so as not to wet the floor. And, quick as a wink!  Finn grabbed one of my socks and ran over to the chair.  “Get my sock,” I shouted,”I don’t want him to put a hole in them!”  Alex tried to get it, the housekeeper tried to get it, and I was on my way to try to get it, when Alex said, “It’s gone.  He ate it.”  “What do you mean- he ate it?”  I yelled.  Housekeeper said, “He shore did, Ms Tonja.  He swallowed that sock right down.  I never saw anything like that!  He swallowed that sock!  He did!”  “Y’all are crazy…look under the chair, he probably dropped it,” I said.  Alex and Housekeeper looked at me and said together, “He swallowed the sock!”  “Well, can he still breathe?” I asked.  They assured me he could.  And, when I looked over at him, he looked quite pleased with himself…had himself a little sock snack here on this rainy day!  And, he wasn’t worried about it a bit!

Well.  I knew this could cause trouble so I went to call the vet.  They said to watch him.  Yeah, well, I did that.  I watched him eat my sock!  But, in a little bit the doctor called back and said for me to bring him in middle of the afternoon to get an x-ray.  OK.  I can do that.  It will cause me to have to go and get dressed though, put one makeup, too…but I can do it.  And, that’s what I did,  Went and got ready, because with my luck, he’d try to pass it and get an intestinal obstruction.  But, no..that sock was in the belly and in the belly it was going to stay.

And, as I dressed, I watched my wonderful day all snug inside…OUT of the rain…go floating past.

After the Vet saw the xray, he said, he was going to try to go down through the throat and try to catch it with an endoscope, but if that didn’t work, it would be surgery.  When he called me later, he told me that there was no way the sock would have ever moved.  And, so, Finn now has a 2 inch incision on his belly where he was sliced open and relieved of the sock in his tummy.

I went to pick him up later.  They said to be there around 5:45.  Around 5:30, here comes one of those downpours that renders windshield wipers useless as well as headlights…because of all the lightning.  If you know me you know I do. NOT. do .lightning.  Unless I have to pick up a poor, hurt dog and bring him home.  So, I prayed all the way to the vet that God would move His little thunderstorm a few miles in the direction of His choosing and give me time to get the dog and put him back in the car.  Obviously, the thunder was too loud for Him to hear me, because when I got out of the car at the vet, all I could hear was a sonic boom as I sprinted to the door…in the pouring rain…and much lightning.

Saw the vet…Finn OK.  Give up mega bucks to the receptionist in order to get my sock back all soggy and wet in a zip lock bag like some kind of prize at a fishing rodeo!  What did I want this nasty sock for?  But, I gingerly put it in my purse, along with what was left of my paycheck, and waited for the ‘dog of the hour’!  And, then I heard him…”whine, whine, yelp, YELP,YELP, whine, whimper, whimper.”  I was a goner.  How dare they hurt my Finn!  No, they were just trying to bring him to me…his mama. The Vet said, that he was going to give him another shot and it would probably knock him out by the time I got home and that we should be careful because he may run into the walls and look at things and not see them.  “Stoned?”, I said.  “Stoned”, he said.   And, there came poor Finn…walking slowly…ears down, head down, no smile, no jumping up to slap my thigh.  He was pitiful.  And, they gave me his meds and they gave me his leash.  And all of this drama inside was accompanied by the drama going on OUTSIDE.  Finn and I and the sock got to the door and I knew there was no way we could safely make it to the car amidst the lightning striking in a circle round my car without me carrying the 25 pounds he was…minus the sock.  So, I prayed, again, and bent to pick up the animal that was hurt and in pain.  And, I immediately remembered people’s stories of how the dog turned on them and bit them when they were hurt, and so since I was praying anyway, I asked God to remember what He did for Daniel when he was forced to be in the den with hungry lions and would He please do the same for me with the hurting Finn…especially since I was forced not only to carry the animal, but endure one of His firework shows at the same time.  I pushed opened the door and made it down the steps and carefully shifted the dog to my hip so I could open the door. I got it opened and …”who put those gloves and muzzle on my front car seat?”  Oh, no, it must belong to that lady that just took that 80 pound boxer in and this must not be my car, even though it is the same make and model and color.  I can tell all this because the sky…she is so lit up.  Shift dog back to carry in both arms, round the back of my car to ease, oh so carefully, between her car and mine, and to shift the dog and open the door halfway and try to carefully sit the dog on the front passenger seat.  FYI…there are only 2 cars in the lot.  Only 2 cars in the whole lot!  Plenty of room not to have to squeeze in so close to another car and make life so much the harder…I’m just saying!

Finn goes on the seat and I shut the door and run for my life to get to the driver’s side before certain death from being struck by a dagger of lightning occured.  Opened the door and there is Finn…standing in my seat…whining, ears still down and eyes looking so doggone mournful you could cry.  So I gently picked him up and held him…all 25 pounds, above the steering wheel, until I could slide the ampleness that I am under the steering wheel.  With door still open, I carefully lay him down on the towel I remembered to bring.  Keeping one hand on his head, I straighten my body and slam my car door.  And there we sat…in the thunder and lightning show…hoping all I’d ever heard about the car being the safest place to be and all…but deciding it didn’t matter anymore…I’d just trust the Maker of all the lights and noise.  And we sat for a good 5 minutes.  Me, panting and blowing…Finn…in la la land.  Then I cranked the car and carefully drove home.

I called Alex from the car and told him to meet us in the garage to help.  He did.  We got the dog in.  And got him settled.  And, they he lay…stoned out of his head…probably wondering why his people went all ape on him and freaked out and cut him open.  Or maybe he was just seeing pink elephants.

He lay carefully on Alex’s bed and slowly lay his head down.  Who knows what dreams he dreamt while under the influence.  But, I didn’t stay around to find out.  I put back on my pajamas and got into bed.  Yelling to whomever may care, “I’m hereby OFF DUTY!”

And as I reflected on this day before sleep overtook my eyes…I thought how chaotic it had been, but yet…perfectly orchestrated.  My housekeeper was here to care for Levi when I had to leave, both times.  The Vet said, “You’re lucky, most Friday afternoons we are so wrapped up, there would be no way I would have had the time to do this surgery.  Today, we only have 2 doctors and very few patients, and I have all the time I need.”  And, I told him, and he agreed…”No luck involved…ochestrated by the Father.”  See, this dog is more than just a dog to Alex.  It is his companion, his friend, his heart.  As Alex, due to his disease, is homebound 99% of the time, he misses so much.  But, Finn is there, beside him, to love and comfort and share.  Finn watches patiently as Alex suffers, offering a warm body and a lick to the hand.  He waits until Alex feels like it , and then they sing together….howling loud enough to wake the dead!  And, if Alex is up to watching some TV, Finn is watching, too…from his perch in Alex’s lap.  And, though Alex is in pain himmself…he is tenderly and carefully tending to Finn.

I know many of you love your animals like this, as well.  But, to end this story, I just want to say that God sends His love and comfort to us in many ways.  He offers us arms to lean into and He lets us sit in His lap.  He picks us up and carries us when we hurt too much to go on.  He promises to meet our needs.  And no matter how hard our life may be, He knows the best way to be with us.  In Alex’s case…He sent Finn.  Mischievous, impish, yelping, sock eating Finn.  And, we thank Him for His goodness!

Job 12:7-10 – But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. (NIV)

I love my pool.  I love to be in the water.  I love to be in the water when the sun is beating down.   I love to be in the water, in the sun, when the water is not over my head….or I’m floating on a raft.

So, in light of this fact, I went to the store with the big red target on it and bought myself one of those easy to fold, light weight floats.  I bought the one that was full size and had pretty Hawaiian flowers.  I was set.  Ready for the next time I decided to hit the water and lounge around like a lady of leisure.

Well, Lucy Jane came to visit this week.  When she walked in the door she was holding her new froggy swimming aide…and her matching froggy towel.  She had all intentions of swimming at some point in the 4 hours she was there.

“Can we go swimming right now, Aunt Tonja?  I’ve got my suit in the closet and I can put it on quick.”

“Let me finish up a few things and then we will go.”

“I can go ahead and get ready and then I won’t have to get ready when it’s time to go?”

“Aunt Tonja, where do you want me to put my froggy stuff?”  “Do you want me to put it out by the pool?”

“Aunt Tonja, do we have some toys to put in the pool?”

“Aunt Tonja, did you get a new raft?”  “Want me to open it up?”  “I can blow it up.  I can.  There’s just air on the sides.”

“Aunt Tonja, I sure do love you.”  “And I sure do love to go swimming in your pool.”

And, so, I told her to get ready…and I got ready…and we went outside.  I helped her get her froggy on, and then she said,”You need to go get Alex and Wild Man.” (‘Wild Man’ is what she calls Finn.  Which is much closer to an appropriate name than Finn.  Really.)  So, I got back out and went to knock on Alex’s door and told him we were swimming.  Patty had graciously offered to blow up the sides of the raft for me.

Lucy Jane and I had a few minutes of quiet playing in the pool…and then the Wild Man and his boy set upon us.  Out came Alex and Finn.  Now Alex moves kinda slow, but Finn……..he shoots out the door like a bat out of a very hot place!  I got back out of the pool to help Alex get in.

*****when we built the Creekhouse, and the pool, I fully expected there to be a rail somewhere to steady myself as I entered the pool.  And, I didn’t need one as much as Alex did.  But, someone  decided we did NOT need a rail.  And, so we do not have one.  So, Alex has nothing to hold on to as he is entering the pool.  His balance is such that he has to hold on to something to steady himself all the time,  And going up or down the stairs is even harder.  We should have a rail.  I thought I made that clear as we were building.  I’m sure I have made it clear several times since then.  But, we still have no rail.  Which we need.  Desperately*****

Back to the pool.  Lucy and her froggy suit is in.  Alex is in.  And, I am in.  And, here comes Patty with my float.  It looks so inviting…just what I wanted.  So I begin to pull it over to the shelf so I can get on , when I hear a LOUD SPLASH! We who were going swimming were already in….so where did that splash come from?  You don’t even have to guess do you?

Oh, yes it was Wild Man, hisownself.  The Mighty Finn!  He was coming to swim…so we had better be ready or get out of the way!   He swam all around, but he began to have a desperate look in his eyes.  Where was his boy?  Where was he?  Alex walked over and held him.  Whew!  He was safe now!   But he was struggling, because there was no solid ground here in this pool.  No place where the feet could make contact with a surface, and be still.  No…this stuff kept moving!  So Alex, being the kind soul that he is,  just picked him up and plopped him down on…MY NEW RAFT!!!!!

And, so we gathered around and watched a dog on a float in the middle of the pool and talked to him and oohed and aahed at him like we had all completely lost our ever loving minds!  And, Patty made pictures from the sidelines….she had pretty much lost her mind, as well.

Oh, how Finn felt the adoration and praise that was being heaped upon him by those he loved the most….. he was one proud dog.  He wished those other dogs in the family could see him now! ” Jo Jo,this is the way to do it! —-  Look Charla!  Are you jealous?— What do ya think about this, Jezzabelle?—    Hey Kaki, bet you can’t do this! ” And the feeling was so wonderful, he actually floated off by himself for a minute or two and thought of how grand he looked and how his family was safe and secure as long as he was around!  He stood tall and proud!  Now,  THIS was living!  “Look at me, I’m King of the pool!”

Lost as he was, admiring himself as the best dog ever…He barely heard Mom when she said,” Alex, if that hound tears up my new raft with his toe nails, you are buying me two new rafts.  One to replace this one and one to make me feel better! ” UH! OH!  He knew  she meant it, too.  This may not last too long…..better enjoy it while I can!

And, he stood as tall as he could at the front of the boat.  He was the Master!  He was the Captain!  He was the King!   He would see this family to safety.  He would guard them as they swam.  He would banish all intruders who may encroach upon their watery kingdom.  He would be the !!!!!SPLASH!!!!!, he was back in the water!  Pride had been his downfall.  He was so intent upon his new found leadership, that he stood too close to the edge of the raft.  And when the edge went under, he just floated right on out.

And, Finn, the mighty and the brave, took off swimming.  He swam with all his might!  He knew where the shelf was to get out and he was heading that way…FAST!    “WHEW!”  He made it !  The family was safe, too.  He was tired.  He was waterlogged.  He was sleepy.  And, since he was King of the Pool…he would just make a royal decree…”NAP TIME.”

FYI TO MY READERS:  This is the recounting of a recent day, spent in my backyard…with Finn and Lucy Jane.  It will be made into a book for her.  I know it’s a mite on the longish side, but I just had to get it all in.  Enjoy!

Once upon a time there was a funny little dog named Finn.  He lived with a Mom and a Dad and his very own boy, Alex.  The family had lots of friends who came to visit.  But, Finn was happiest when Patty and Little Lucy Jane would come over to play.

One day, in early spring, Finn heard the doorbell ring.  And, soon, he heard a voice he loved…it was Little Lucy Jane!  He started shaking all over with excitement.  He always had such fun when she came to play.  He could remember making turkeys out of pumpkins together, and blowing bubbles together.  Well, she blew the bubbles, he just tried to catch them.  He remembered going to catch the sticks she threw, and chewing on the baseballs she tossed in the yard.  She was a little girl…not a big girl like Mom.  So he had to be careful not to jump on her cause it would make her fall.  He just wanted to give her kisses, but he had to be very careful and just kiss her when she was sitting down.  Oh, he could hardly wait!

He wished Alex would open his door and let him out.  She needed to be greeted properly.   But, he couldn’t reach the door handle…and he couldn’t turn it if he did reach it!   She would be so glad to see him.  Sometimes, she would call him ‘Wild Man’ instead of Finn.  That was OK with him because he knew she loved him.

Finally, Alex opened the door.  He hurried as fast as his short little legs would go.  “Where was she?”  “Where was she?” , he thought.   And, then he saw her.  Well, he was so excited he ran to her and jumped with all his might to give her lots and lots of kisses!  “OW, Finn!”, she said, “that hurt.”  She was rubbing her arm where one of his toenails had scratched her.  OH, he felt so bad.  He felt so sad.  He forgot that she wasn’t big like Mom.  Awww, he was so sorry.  So, he just stood next to her as still as he could be.  Then she bent down to hug him.  And, THEN, he could give her kisses.  He did, and she laughed and laughed and laughed.  He liked to hear her laugh.  It really made him happy. 

Mom suggested that they go outside for a walk around the big, back yard.  That was a great idea!  There were so many things in the yard to see and chase and smell.  Oh, it was a very fine back yard!  They walked a while, and then they ran a while.  They rang the windchimes, and checked the water in the pool.  They sat in the swing and went back and forth, back and forth.  UGH!  He had to get down.  Lucy threw the ball and he chased it.  And she threw it again and he ran and ran and ran.   Right about then, Finn caught a whiff of something wonderful.  What was it?  Little Lucy Jane and Mom didn’t know…they didn’t even smell it!  But, he did.  And, it was wonderful!  And, he was going to find it…and smell it and smell it and smell it!  And, he would share it with Lucy Jane and Mom.

“There it is!  I think it’s down here!”

“Yeah!  Right down there!”

“Lucy Jane, can you smell it?  Can you?”

 “Whew!  This is hard work!  But, I’m getting close.”

“AHHHHHH!  there it is!  It makes me swoon!”

“Lay in it? Are you sure?  Well, OK, then!”

“It’s great!  Don’t you think it’s great?  I think it’s great!  Really, great! Just really great!”

“Here  stick your head in…right here!”

“Now, just roll around in it like this!”

“Told you!  Wasn’t that the best thing ever?”  I’m one happy dog!”

“What?   Dirty? Who’s dirty? Filthy?  What does that mean?   Why are you looking at me like that, Mom?”

“See?  I can wash off right here in the pool…just like Lucy Jane.  Relax, Mom…we’ll be fine.”

“Uh Oh!  Mom’s got that look in her eyes.  Think I’ll hide over here.  Oh no!  She went to get Patty!   Run, Lucy Jane!”

“Aw, man.  This is a bad,bad idea, Mom.  Why do you want to go and ruin my good day?  Hey!  Four hands is way too many!  It doesn’t take four hands to wash me! ”

“Hmmm…I’m kinda liking this smell, too!  Hey, Patty, how about a kiss?”

“Look at me, would you?  I’m clean…I smell like a coconut…and when they let me get down, I’ll shake the rest of this water off.  Why do people think you can dry a dog off with a towel?   We can do it lots better ourselves!”

“Let me down, now….please…I’ve been good!”

And, when the Big Dig and the Shower in the Sun were all finished, Finn was ready to go home with Alex and take a nap!  Which he did.  Oh, he had the best dreams of the most wonderful hole and the most wonderful smells, and the most wonderful friends.  But, NOT the most wonderful bath!

And Mom, and Patty and Lucy Jane, and Alex  talked about the day’s adventure and laughed again.  And, they all looked forward to being all together once again.

                                                                                              THE END

FYI…I do not usually wear headbands with yellow bows on them…unless Lucy Jane brings it to me and asks me to.

Finn, Finn, Finn.  You are a wild and crazy dog!  Why Lucy Jane even calls you ‘Wild Man’!  And she came up with that herself!  You are  so happy…bounding here and there…you are in the air as much as your feet are on the ground!  But, you are NOT doing well in the area of ‘taking care of business’ OUTSIDE!   Come on, now, and get with the program…you are causing us too much stress.   

Here are some pics I made of you while we were outside yesterday.  You remember when I asked you to pose for me and you ran the other way?  Until I held one of your fav treats in my teeth!!  Oh, the things you make me do!

Here’s where I asked you to pose…You looked at me like I had lost my mind!  By the way…your right ear is inside out!

Mo-ooooom…… OK, here I am on one side…

And, here’s the other… really, Mom, do you think anyone can tell the difference? 

This one is the best!  And, I fixed my ear, thank you very much!  Hey!!!  Be careful with that treat…don’t swallow it!

OK, here’s my polka dots….And, that’s all there is to me!  Oops!  Sorry ’bout the ear!

That’s it.  I’m ready to get my treat and go.  Umm!  Yum, yum, yum!  And, I’ll have another, please…you must have licked off the best part when it was in your teeth!   Now.  I’m ready for my close-up.

OK, I’m going, now.  Places to go….holes to dig…things to smell…