We have dog. I am not a dog person, but we have dog regardless. I am not anti-dog, but I don't grok them as much as I do cats. So far, he is more of a Sue dog than an AC dog. His primary person seems to have been a woman, so that makes sense.
He is 15 and a bit addled. Wants to get onto the bed with Sue but can't seem to manage and can't get down without possibly hurting himself. We have a chair there to help him, but he's not a cat, so he can't quite figure it out.
He also can't quite figure out the deck stairs to get down into the yard at night to do this thing. I think he can't really see them in the dark. He is 15, and his eyes are dimming.
I told you that we'd have him for 5 weeks. I was wrong. It will be 7 weeks!!!
That's all that I shall say for now, but I do have pictures.
Ladies and gentlemen. Behold Jake, the 15 year-old Yorkshire Terrier rental.
Note: I wrote the above yesterday. He had a good and quiet night last night. The first night was horrendous, but now we may survive the 7 weeks. He has decided that he likes my chair: pretty sure it is not me that he likes. He was on me last night and is back on me this morning. In the second photo, I am getting this post ready on my tablet
Grok (/ˈɡrɒk/) is a neologism coined by the American writer Robert A. Heinlein in his 1961 science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land. The Oxford English Dictionary summarizes the meaning of grok as "to understand intuitively or by empathy, to establish rapport with", and "to empathize or communicate sympathetically (with); also, to experience enjoyment".
I guess we all reach the age of having to be helped in and out of bed, helped with our bathroom needs, and get to a point where we choose comfort over personality conflicts.
ReplyDeleteThe dog share begins. He looks pretty cheerful. Better with you than a boarding kennel. Also he's not big enough to knock you down, always a feature of bigger dogs.
ReplyDeleteThe delighted look on your face in those last to pictures gave me a laugh.
ReplyDeleteYour rental is pretty cute. I can see why he can't make it up to the bed! He's a little guy. I'm glad he's settling in. I think I heard grok in the terrific Aussie substack I F***ing Love Australia," which actually is more "I adore Canada" and "USA is in a mess." Really intense language but spot on observations, especially about your fair country! At the end, he has a glossary of the terms he uses that aren't in common international parlance and I think I picked it up there!
ReplyDeleteI read the Aussie guy quite a bit and am actually getting his emails now.
DeleteJake looks like he has made himself quite a home. You may become a dog person yet.
ReplyDeleteHe's about the size of our granddog who also likes to snuggle with me on the couch or chair. 7 weeks! Is he a rescue that you're fostering? Or related to you somehow?
ReplyDeleteWe are doing a favour for a friend of a friend, people we don't know directly.
DeleteI'd never heard of grok! I love learning new words. He looks very comfortable on you, and it sounds like he's adjusting. That first night must have been unpleasant for everyone. My Mari (also 15) is still quite spry but doesn't do well away from me and her house.
ReplyDeleteIt was new to Sue too. I was surprised by that, so I added the definition. I guess it was a hippie term although I wasn't one.
DeleteHe will win you over to the dog side. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAwe he's cute. Yes, as a sci-fi fan from highschool on, I certainly knew grok. Heinlein was one of my favorite authors. Jake is sure cute, and I hope that he's able to get to the yard when he needs to. So glad he's keeping you warm. Typing can be somewhat fun with a dog in the way!
ReplyDeleteIt's understandable he was anxious. I'm impressed he became comfortable so fast. I am a dog person who has cats. I'm envious.
ReplyDeleteDogs show their age much more readily than cats. Jake has obviously decided you are his comfort blanket.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of 'grok' before - interesting word.
He's got a cute face, 7 weeks is long enough for him to grow on you - which he's working on even now.
ReplyDeleteAwwww. How nice of you to be foster people. Yep, his eyes are definitely dimmed. He's too tiny to get up without several steps or a ramp. You sure don't want a dog of any size or age jumping down without steps or assistance. Can hurt their joints and bones. At least you're not babysitting a big doggie! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteHe's the best. There's something so wonderful about a foggy-eyed dog. Yay for taking care of him!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet looking dog! An the perfect size for lifting onto your bed or wherever. Kudos to you both for adopting an elderly dog. Welcome to the family, Jake!!
ReplyDeleteAwwww....the dog is adorable, John! They are great company! Good therapy, too!
ReplyDeleteTBH, I'm scared of dogs, but the way you describe Jake... he sounds safe.
ReplyDeleteI AM a dog person (though I'm not drawn to little dogs) but I'm glad you're taking care of this old fella. As an old neighbor said, long ago, "Never turn down a dog's friendship,"
ReplyDeleteAww He's a sweetheart. 15 is old, wow. My Falcor is 12 years old but he still has the energy is a puppy. Not even kidding. lol
ReplyDeleteThe dog (Jake) is SO very cute! I am an equal-opportunity cat & dog person, though.
ReplyDeleteFor whatever reason, the vast majority of dogs and cats seem to buddy up to me almost instantly….. sometimes to the consternation of my wife and kids. Not sure why.
PipeTobacco
Aww, he's a sweetie and probably loves the blanket you have over you as much as he does the chair. 7 weeks will fly by and when he is home again, I wonder if you might miss him?
ReplyDelete....and what a cute dog he is.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you, AC, in preferring cats over dogs as they are far less maintenance and quite independent. I might have missed a previous post about why Jake was staying with you and Sue, so thanks for explaining about the dog sitting for a friend of a friend. Hope things go smoothly for the duration.
ReplyDeleteHe is a cutie. Old age hits all of us even dogs. He dose like you even if you are not a fan of his.
ReplyDeleteAw, poor old boy! He looks very comfy with you though. I sure hope that all goes well, for all of you
ReplyDeleteAt 15 and a bit addled, he looks like he really likes to cuddle. At 15, he is similar in age to a human around 77 or so years old. Such a sweetie. My Jack Russel was quite addled in his last couple of years
ReplyDeleteI have to help my young dog get up on my bed ...well both of them. Other than purchasing 'steps' for dogs, they'd never make the jump up or down.
I love this. Just pretend he is purring.
What a cute little pupper. Good for you for taking him in.
ReplyDeleteI've gathered by now that you are cat people, so good luck surviving 7 weeks of an elderly dog!
ReplyDeleteOMG!! Jake is the cutest 15 year old Yorkshire Terrier I have ever seen. How did I miss this post?? I think he likes you, he looks very comfortable on your lap. I hope you had everything you needed within reach because disturbing a cute dog having a nap on your lap is a big no no. Enjoy the seven weeks you are looking after him.
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