Ozzy and Me (I)

I

A friend of mine with a conspicuous pumpkin house door, a two-year-old ivory-skinned son, and a three-year-old chocolate dog (those who read “The Soup at the Door” recognize him) will depart on Friday for Christmas vacation.  Knowing I would stay here alone, he made an irresistible suggestion: leaving his dog with me for two weeks.

This afternoon, he dropped by with Ozzy, the dog, and his other son, a six-year-old blue-gray jewel eyed gentleman.  They left Ozzy in my house for a couple of hours as an experiment. 

I shall never forget the look in Ozzy’s eyes and the sound in his throat, as he stood behind the glass door watching my friend and the boy vanish from his sight.  At that moment I almost changed my mind and brought Ozzy right back; but I decided to give Ozzy and myself a chance to get acquainted with each other.

Half an hour passed.  Ozzy seemed to have overcome the initial anxiety that prevented him from inspecting the new environment.  His curiosity now began to awake.

A suddenly awakened curiosity

 

Dialogue with the shadow

 

Ready for meditation

At 4:30pm, I finished my work and wanted to take Ozzy out for a walk.  Hardly had I put on my coat, boots, and gloves, when he jumped to the glass door and eagerly gazed outside. 

It was the first walk I took since I came to this city and the first dog walk I took since I came to this planet.  

—I am not sure how Ozzy feels; I only know that with him on my side I am fearless.

Together we walked through several areas I’d never dare to explore alone.  Ozzy pissed twice, shitted once, encountered at least eight other fellows—none of them bigger or prettier than him.  This made him feel good, and his buoyancy was pretty infectious.  Meanwhile, quite a few people greeted us aloud or silently; I saw no reason not to be exceedingly proud. 

Returning home at 5:30pm, I dined with Ozzy—he on the ground, I at table.

 

 Dilemma: to start with water or food?

 

 I am damned hungry; this is damned good

Concentration or intermission?

(To save Ozzy the embarrassment I would omit a small accident after the dinner.)

It’s about 6:40pm when Ozzy looked a bit sleepy.  He snuck into my study and lay down on the carpet.

Time to rest

Make myself comfortable

Something happened?

Let me check

Nothing happened; 
but I become fully alert anyhow

At around 8pm, my friend dropped by with his blue-gray jewel eyed son again.  Ozzy jumped onto his car and disappeared into the darkness.

So ended my first day with the chocolate dog.

(to be continued)