Golden Years
There are some Creatures, born into this Difficult Existence, who understand as mere Pups that they wish to ease the Suffering of others. So it was with my Golden Companions.
A very long time ago, even by Human calculations, and an unimaginable number of Dog’s Ages, they each chose to devote their lives to this Noble Purpose. They eventually joined forces, becoming Fast Friends and Allies, performing many Good Deeds, and sharing many Joyous Adventures.
When a home became available here at Lovely Scenic Harbor Condominiums, where Our Dearest Friend Downstairs had already passed many years, they chose to become Neighbors for the Golden Years of their Lives. And, my Beloved Human moved upstairs.
Among their Greatest Adventures has been jointly caring for a long line of elderly Rescue Golden Retrievers, of which I, Cinco, am the fifth. Like the pair of Rusties, Rustina, and Penny Sue before me, I am equally welcome in the home of either of my Golden Companions, spending a portion of my days in each of their extremely airy and comfortable foyers.
I am told by Xianning, my Friend Down the Hall, much too frequently than I care to hear, that “Sister” Penny Sue was a model Canine citizen. Rumor has it, however, that Rustina’s stubbornness rivaled my own, and that she too would employ the highly effective Passive Resistance Technique of Lying as if Lifeless on a Street Corner.
My Pack has very nice routine. My Beloved Human and I live quite congenially with our Roommate, Suzanne, the male gendered Canary who does not sing.
He, my Beloved Human, not Silent Sue, promptly responds when I ask to relieve myself in the night, while our Dearest Friend Downstairs slips open my door and quietly invites me out for an opportunity in the early morning. Either might lead me around the block for my afternoon promenade, or for a short walk in the morning on the rare occasions Xianning and Mpaji do not take me on an adventure.
We often share meals around the table, or on comfy couches with lap trays, at the home of Our Dearest Friend Downstairs. And, once a week, my Beloved Human, Silent Sue and I reciprocate and host her at our lodgings.
There is always a feeling of great Camaraderie and Contentment when my Pack gathers. I leave nourished by Quite Delicious Kibble, Biscuits, a casually dropped Crust of Bread or two, and an Abundance of Love.
In my home country of Turkey, such a routine would not be exceptional. There, as in other countries with Street Dogs, sometimes Domestic Dogs who have a Human also roam, spending their time in the Neighbors’ homes and yards, and returning when they wish.
Such is the reason why Humans who bring Street Dogs from other countries to the United States for a new life must take care to choose animals that are truly abandoned. In my case, since I was abandoned for many years and then exiled to the Forest, I was fortunate that the choice was clear.
A Pleasant Ocean Breeze blows through our Garden and across my Very Own Sheltered Space in the Foyers of the Homes of my Golden Companions, bringing with it smells vaguely reminiscent of my Early Years. And, although the Canine Kind does not dwell on the past in the same way that the Human Kind does, I often sigh as I drink in the smells and drift off to sleep, marveling at my Good Fortune to be here, in San Diego, spending my Golden Years so Comfortably Loved by this Exceptional Pack after so many Early Years of Suffering.