I run a greyhound rescue organization, so spend my days having conversations with greyhounds. One day I attached a tape recorder to me, and recorded those conversations.
The sun is barely peering over the horizon, when the wet nose pushes its way into mine. My arms flail, as I roll over to wide eyes peering at me, and tail thumping against covers. I roll back and look at the clock. Yep, never fails. It’s 6:30 and time for us to get up. I roll back and throw my arms around Beauty, and Annie (whose nose is now peaking out from under the covers) giving them hugs and kisses. “You guys are the best, you know how much I love you, can I sleep another few minutes please?” But by then there’s at least two more dogs at the head of the bed, grinning, and prancing cause they just know it’s time – time to go for a run.
So I roll out of bed, while the Mexican jumping beans start their morning salute. “Easy, easy, give me some room,” I laugh, as they call crowd into the bathroom – licks and snorts, and greetings – and the palable excitement that the run is soon.
I drag myself to the closet and throw on underwear, shorts and shirt. The whole time, “Easy, I’m going as fast as I can. Why don’t you go outside and wait for me?” When I grab the sneakers and socks – the ground vibrates as they drum their joy. They leap from couch to chair, and would tie my shoes for me if they could figure out how.
I can’t help but laugh as they fly through the yard to the car – lining up to fly into that. “You guys are too funny,” I tell them over and over as I shake my head. Beauty claims the front seat, Annie on the middle foam next to her. Winslow lies right against the front seats, and Marm goes to the back of the van – sitting up viewing the world as her oyster.
We get to our canyon, and they all pile out, running in hopeful rabbit directions. “Ok, everybody, this way” prompts them back to me, and past me. Shuffling, and sniffing as their day truly begins for them. My patter as we walk.
“Miss Marm, you are the best girl. You listen so well, you are so beautiful. Want to run up that hill? Ok, on your mark get set go – ahhh gotcha – look at you up there, aren’t you something else. Be careful, not so fast. I know, you can do it.”
“My most beautiful of beautous potomuses. You OK, honey? Are you sure? Don’t run so fast, sweetie, take it easy. I know, you used to run farther and faster than Marm. You were the best. It’s a bitch getting old. But you’re still my most favorite girl, and I love you, love you, love you very very much.”
“Annie bananie – go go go. You are too damn cute you little thing. Let’s go Annie, come on. Go Annie go. Go annie go.”
“Winslow. WWWWWiiiiiinnnnnnsssssslllooowwwwww. Hey buddy, thanks for waiting for us. Appreciate that. You want a pet? OK. You are the best boy. Who loves you? Who do you love? Go on, go ahead you can check that out, just wait for us up there OK?”
As we make our turn, and head back for the car, I marvel at the joy they get from just running for the pure pleasure. Marm leaping up a red sand hill. Winslow loping along, always ahead of the pack. Annie doing her darts and figure eights. And Beauty… always by my side.
During the car ride back, it’s a stream of:
“Do you guys mind if a do a few errands? What good dogs you are. Thanks for waiting, you’re so patient and sweet. Have I told you guys today how much I love you.”
These streams of words are always accompanied with touching. There isn’t a moment when my hands aren’t on a dog. Annie makes sure of that when we’re driving. “One hand,” she says, “ you can drive with one hand, and the other belongs on me”.
I often wonder if I treated my boyfriends, friends and family the way I treat my dogs, what would their reactions be? If I spent my days telling them:
Have I told you today how much I love you?
you are so gorgeous, I just can’t get enough of you.
You make my heart sing.
I just love you. You are the best. You are so silly.
If I said those things everyday. Over and over. Would they start believing it? Would they stick around to hear more? Would the world be a better place?