Spring Time Lovin'

Part 1: Who is that Dark and Dashing Dog?

How does one know when one has found what the Human’s call a Soul Mate?

Perhaps it is when one is as content to trot life’s roads alongside another as one is to trot solo.

Perhaps it is the reciprocal willingness to accept the other's foibles, thereby fostering the comfort needed to become one’s best self.

Or perhaps it is alchemy — a sort of magic that sparks an excitement for the world neither could experience alone.

For me, it was all three. Approximately a year following my Immigration to San Diego and several months after the commencement of my Adventures, a short dark dog swept into my life.

Such magic is worth savoring at any time. But, to be granted such an Adventure during the Golden Days of spring in San Diego, when one is enjoying the Golden Years of this Difficult Existence — well that, my Friends, is a rare Adventure to be relished.

Wilbur’s coming marked a new season of my life in the United States in more ways than one. Amici Dog Park had expanded my social connections, but I was still struggling with a rather wide Canine Culture Gap around the neighborhood.

At a dog park, as in Turkey, when two Canines meet, they often greet each other effusively, with joyous barking. Unfortunately, such is not the custom in the quiet neighborhoods around San Diego, where Humans prefer that Dogs not bark excessively.

Consequently, when I would forget myself and bark upon meeting another Canine, I would inevitably startle or anger my new companion. For example, I very much wished to make the acquaintance of Cuomo, but my cultural mannerisms were a barrier to our friendship every single time.

I must admit I was feeling particularly fractious the morning I met Wilbur, the dog who would steal my heart. A Domestic Canine in the United States has very little control over the choices in its life — a state of affairs, I found to be absolutely maddening at that time.

I have Xianning and Mpaji trained to follow my lead these days, which makes the Adventures so much more interesting and enjoyable. At that time, however, I often felt compelled to lodge necessary but tedious protests over my inequitable treatment. Xianning and I were at cross-purposes that morning as a result.

I ask you, why lead the Dog on a route which always terminates in Maple Canyon, if one is not making an excursion to Maple Canyon?

And, why set off for Maple Canyon if the destination is Daisy’s Corner? Would not it be more efficient for us to trot directly to Daisy’s corner via our accustomed route?

And, why in Heaven’s name do two Humans with absolutely no sense of smell or direction always insist upon leading? The hubris of Humans knows no bounds.

In any event, I was happy to be heading home that morning. What should have been lovely walk had instead been thoroughly wasted lodging the necessary but tedious protests over my inequitable treatment.

As well, my paws were scraped raw from scrambling up that concrete embankment Xianning had insisted we scale. They needn’t have been with a perfectly adequate path exactly two feet to our left.

Then, Xianning and I turned the corner onto Columbia just as the sun burst from it’s morning overcast. It flooded the crest and my heart with light. There, in the golden rays, stood my Very Good Friend, Mpaji!

I knew that we had no need to journey to Daisy's Corner. Our Very Good Friend had come to us.

Beside her, a small, sleek dog with dark fur was just lifting his head from checking the Messages. He stared at me with even darker eyes.

A member of the Canine Kind! Who was this Dark and Dashing Dog with Mpaji?

Xianning and I both forgot ourselves, cavorting happily and barking at our wonderful surprise. To be precise, I barked, but Xianning was the louder of the two of us. Neither Mpaji nor Wilbur shushed us.

Unlike every other member of the Canine Kind I had met in the United States. Wilbur did not appear to be nonplussed by my exuberance. He simply exchanged sniffs and wished me a pleasant morning.

I cannot tell you what a relief it was to be in the company of one who did not take unnecessary offense at my ways. We fell comfortably into stride side by side.

Part 2: Golden Days

For the next few weeks we would be inseparable. We idled our days away strolling through Little Italy and enjoying the attention of our Joyous Companions.

Wilbur never made me feel out of step, even as he quietly modeled the ways of the Canine Kind in the United States. By following his lead, and adopting his low-key approach, I was soon experiencing the social success I had found elusive. I became accepted as a member of the Neighborhood Pack.

I, in turn, was able to provide a similar KIndness to Wilbur. My handsome friend's soft spoken suavity was a mask for shyness. He'd never had a social interaction with a pack, and, as Xianning put it, he didn't know how to party.

It is no surprise. When Mpaji made Wilbur’s acquaintance, he was spending his days napping in the No-Dogs-Allowed apartment above her, with brief visits to do his business where she has now established her wonderful succulent garden. While Wilbur’s human does not neglect Wilbur, like many Humans, she simply does not consider Wilbur’s social needs to be high on her list of priorities.

And so I introduced Wilbur to the Amici Dog Park Pack. He was soon chasing and wrestling with the best of us. I, Cinco, know how to party!

Wilbur and I completed each other. We were both better Dogs for it.

In fact, the four of us completed each other. And we all had better walks for our time together.

I am capable of confessing that my presence had become a bit of a disruption in the morning walks of Xianning and Mpaji. The plan had been for me to join them on their thrice weekly perambulations around Mission Bay. Unfortunately, automobiles cause me a great deal of discomfort.

As well, my necessary but tedious protests over my inequitable treatment caused Mpaji her own discomfort. I can be a bit, shall we say, dramatic when I am upset. Mpaji did not yet know me and was quite concerned that I was truly ill. Walking with Wilbur allowed Mpaji to spend time with Xianning and me and assure herself that I was in fine health.

We all fell head over heels in love with Wilbur, even the Golden Companions, but especially Mpaji. And, in her generous way, Mpaji lavished Wilbur with more love and attention than he had ever enjoyed.

She took him to Bella Woof Spa for the first grooming of his life, bought fancy Treats, and outfitted him with a new collar and lead. Since automobiles do not cause Wilbur discomfort, they often traveled in her car, venturing to Mission Bay, distant parts of Balboa Park and Amici Dog Park

Of course, she included me in the walking adventures and in her bounty. Wilbur and I grew toned from trips to Little Italy and sleek from Treats.

But, alas, Golden Days cannot last forever. That is why they are so very precious.

Wilbur and I knew something that the Humans did not.

Part 3: Spring Time Dreams Torn at the Seams

Wilbur’s Human had allowed Mpaji to take Wilbur into her heart without confessing that they were waiting to close on a new house, where Wilbur would have a big back yard.

One day Mpaji just happened to be coming out of her door as Wilbur’s human loaded him into a full van ready for the final trip to the new house. She wasn’t even going to allow Wilbur to say, “Good-bye.”

Xianning and I discussed it later in the Ice Vine.

Xianning — “Poor Mpaji. I wish her heart had not been broken. Did you know he was leaving?”

Me — “I did.”

Xianning — “Why didn’t you tell me so I could warn her?”

Me — “There was no need. Perhaps I would have done so had I seen our Very Good Friend Down the Hill squandering their time together. But, Mpaji was quite wise. She did not miss a moment of her love affair with Wilbur, showering all of us with Adventure after Adventure. “

Xianning — “She sure did. I’m so glad. It is a reminder that this could all end in an instant.”

Cinco — “Ah, my Friend, it will all end in an instant. One must keep that always in the back of one’s mind.

An acute knowledge of the temporal nature of this Difficult Existence is a reminder to stay awake lest we miss its Endless but often Elusive Magic. It is a pity that the prod toward wakefulness comes from the pain of Grief and ache of Melancholy, however.

I chose not share my knowledge because we were alive to the moment. Why inflict the suffering unnecessarily early?

In fact, why inflict it at all?

We had our time with Wilbur. It has past. We should not waste the now.

Come, chase me through the Ice Vine.”

It is always helpful, whenever possible, not to waste one's days nurturing Melancholy, particularly since one cannot know the future.

Part 4: You're the Friend That I Want

I was aware that Wilbur might be back, but I did not wish to raise the hopes of my Friends.

He had said, “See ya,” and my Little Buddy Wilbur does not waste words.

But, Dogs have very little agency in this Difficult Existence. Consequently, even though Wilbur knew that his Human was contemplating suggesting an arrangement with Mpaji, there was no guarantee that she would follow through.

And, so I waited.

And, waited.

One day Xianning told me that she might have a surprise for me later in the day. I could tell that she was quite excited. I hoped her surprise would be Mpaji and Wilbur.

I was enjoying a mid-morning nap when the scent for which I had been hoping penetrated my dreams.

Wilbur!

I sat up and drank deeply from the tendrils of onshore breezes.

It was no dream. Wilbur had alighted from a car down the hill at Mpaji’s place and was climbing her stairs.

He was back. The Friend Who Stirred my Heart at its Deepest Levels had returned.

Oh, Willlbbbbbbbbbbuuuuuurrrrrr.

I pulled in a deep sigh of contentment and returned to my dreams, knowing that one was in the process of coming true. Surely, Xianning would come for me soon.

I woke up late morning when I smelled Wilbur and Mpaji leaving Mpaji’s place.

I stretched and sighed happily, “Ah, they must be coming soon.“

But, where was Xianning? That Human is preternaturally either on time or early.

And, why did it smell like Wilbur and Mpaji were headed the other way?

I lifted my nose high and tracked them all the way to Little Italy. Ah, well, my Very Good Friend Down the Hill and my Very Good Friend Down the Hall had probably miscommunicated. It’s a fairly common occurrence. I rolled over and went back to sleep. Mid-day is my prime nap time.

Half an hour later Xianning came bouncing down the hall. I opened one eye, sniffed.

Nope, Wilber and Mpaji weren’t back. I closed my eye again.

I heard the screen door and opened my eye again to see Xianning staring down at me with a big grin on her face.

“Come on, Girl,” she cheered. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

She didn’t know that her surprise wasn’t exactly news to my nose. And, as I suspected, she was operating under the misapprehension that Mpaji and Wilbur were down the hill waiting for us.

I thought about going back to sleep, but Xianning was so excited I decided to humor her. Maybe I could divert her with a little trip to the home of my Dearest Friend Downstairs. I had heard Xianning mention that she needed to speak with her about whether there would be a “whine bench” that night.

The “whine bench” is a regular occurrence at Lovely Scenic Harbor Condominiums. Neighbors get together of offer support to one another when the burden of this Difficult Existence becomes a bit too much to bear alone, or if they need to discuss an issue affecting the entire building, or if they just wish to enjoy a little companionship. They bring their own drink and a snack to share.

Neither my Beloved Human nor I were in the habit of attending at that time. Wednesday is our day to host our Dearest Friend Downstairs for dinner.

Both of the Golden Companions attend more frequently these days. But, for some reason I am still never invited. Pity. I like to share snacks.

While Xianning and our Dearest Friend made plans, I made myself comfortable in the Foyer.

Ah, how I love my Dearest Friend’s Foyer.

Now, the balcony door of the home I share with my Beloved Human and Silent Sue is angled southwest. Consequently, when our front door is open to the screen, my foyer just captures the onshore breezes. I spend my mornings and evenings enjoying their tickling tendrils.

But, the balcony door of my Dearest Friend Downstairs faces almost directly west. When I spend time in her foyer, the onshore breezes rush past me, bathing me in delicious stream of marine air. There is nothing quite like it.

I assumed my foyer position, belly up. Then, I drifted back to sleep.

Pretty soon I was being rousted. Xianning had shared the specious news that we were on our way to see Wilbur, and the excitement of both Humans was almost too much to bear.

I followed Xianning out but tried to divert her to the Garden. I needed to take care of a little Business anyway, and I had some sand I hoped to knock out of my feet before I attempted to walk on pavement.

The Garden was a mistake on my part. San Diego has an odious burr laden groundcover that plagues my feet and fur. It ran amuck in the garden before Xianning and I spent a great deal of time rooting it out and scooping up the burrs so that the plants would not reestablish themselves.

I could not get Xianning to stay. I emerged onto the hard concrete of the condominium parking lot next door with my Business taken care of but my feet now packed with both sand and burrs.

Xianning was so excited, however, that I started down the hill. Maybe I could take refuge and go back to sleep on Mpaji’s stoop until she and Wilbur returned.

I had only taken a few steps before I had to abandon the enterprise, however. I was simply too foot sore and sleepy.

Xianning understood. She checked and cleaned out my paws then took me back home to bed.

Several hours later, I smelled Xianning and our Dearest Friend Downstairs arrive on the Whine Bench. I also smelled delicious snacks.

Oh, why am I never invited to these Affairs?

Then, I smelled Mpaji and Wilbur.

Wilbur.

They were coming closer, walking up the Back Way.

Wilbur.

I wondered if I should dash the balcony.

Wilbur.

I stood at my door.

Wilbur.

They were beside Atticus’ hill.

Wilbur.

They were coming closer.

Wilbur

Any second now, they would angle to our corner.

Wilbur.

But, they didn’t. The smell became more distant, like they were headed to the opposite side of the street.

Wilbur?

Oh no. Mpaji didn’t know that they were invited to the Whine Bench. As usual, Mpaji and Xianning had miscommunicated.

Wilbur!

I could see them on the opposite side of the street.

Wilbur!

Oh, it was too cruel.

I was about to bark, when I heard my Dearest Friend Downstairs exclaim “There they are. Isn’t that Mpaji and Wilbur on the opposite side of the street?”

Xianning called over, “Come on up, you guys.”

I was dancing at the door as my Dearest Friend Downstairs offered to retrieve me. Xianning told her that they would pick me up on the way back.

Wilbur dashed straight out of the elevator and stood at my door staring in with those dark eyes.

For once, he spoke first, “Cinco.”

I admit, I gushed a bit, “Oh, Willlllbbbbuuuurrr.”

Then, we joined the party at the Whine bench, and what a party it was. There was so much joy and laughter that I could not contain myself.

I put my head back and let my heart bubble over in a happy howl, "Woooo-iiilllbbbbuuurrrrr."

We played hard, and when my Beloved Human was able to come up and join us, we rested beside the Humans. They even shared some snacks.

Wilbur was back. How fortunate we were. And how fortunate we were not to have wasted time mourning an inaccurate picture of the future.

We did not forget Wilbur’s Gift, however. We knew at any moment our joyous time together could end.

Part 5: A Golden Birthday Celebration

Wilbur returned just in time for my Special Spa Day and Amici Dog Park Golden Birthday Celebration. It was, indeed, a Golden time.

Xianning and Mpaji allowed me to enjoy a bit of a lie-in. Consequently, Amici Dog Park was packed when Mpaji announced us with a shower of squeaky toys.

It felt as if we were Royalty arriving for our Ball. We burst through the gate and galloped the length of the field.

Our day was somewhat spoiled when a Rude Hound got a bit rough with me in a wrestling match. I was in the process of handling the situation quite competently when Wilbur became a bit overprotective.

He growled and snapped a warning snap. Mpaji had to intervene to make sure the situation didn’t escalate.

I was so embarrassed. How dare Wilbur lose his temper and spoil my Special Day?

I was also outraged. I am a Street Dog. I do not need protection from an Under-Socialized Indoor Pet.

I stalked off. I didn’t play with Wilbur for the rest of the party, choosing instead to spend my time with my Friend Blueberry. When Blueberry left, I made it known that my preference was to depart with this Much Superior Canine Companion.

Mpaji and Xianning wouldn’t let me leave when I wanted to. Instead, not ten minutes later, they requested I depart at the most inconvenient moment — just when a woman was about to drop her bagel.

Oh, I felt as if I would die. My Special Spa Day and Amici Dog Park Golden Birthday Celebration were ruined. I was no longer in the mood. I did not wish to go to the Spa any more.

Xianning and Mpaji were foolish enough to think that the way to appease me was with Mpaji Roast Beast. I was so angry, I made them use the entire package to get me to the Little Italy Piazza.

In retrospect, my behavior was rather reprehensible. One should never waste precious moments of a Golden Day, or nibbles of a Quite Delicious Mpaji Roast Beast, on pique.

Wilbur didn’t say a word. He just accepted his own pieces of Roast Beast and then flopped down beside me, allowing me the space to calm down.

I calmed down. I felt my ill humor draining away as we lay side-by-side, licking the Quite Delicious Mpaji Roast Beast from our chops and watching the Little Italy traffic stream past.

Finally, when it was time to go to my appointment, Wilbur asked, “Ready?” and hopped up.

I was.

Wilbur and Mpaji, who had both been there before, led the way around the corner and under the railing into Bella Woof Spa. We entered a dog Sensory Wonderland.

There was the odor of those lovely Pig Ears Mpaji used to buy us. And over there was the Yuk milk. I used to work on those for days.

Behind it all was the smell of flowery shampoo and other dog hygiene products that caused my stomach to turn just a bit. I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay.

I didn’t have the opportunity to lodge a protest before Patrick, the groomer who had made Wilbur look so sleek, came and led me to the back. There was so much to smell in there.

I enjoyed some aspects of the Spa Experience. In many ways, however, I found grooming to be a long, tedious and somewhat arduous experience.

In particular, I despised the indignity of having my teeth, ears and anal gland cleaned, and I could have done without the flowery shampoo. The process also commenced too late and lasted way too long, consuming important naptime.

But, oh it was worth it is so many ways. How free I felt to be rid of my long tresses and the fur between my pads. I could really move now. I couldn't wait for the trot home.

When Mpaji, Xianning and Wilbur came to retrieve me, I could tell Wilbur really liked my new style. He looked me right in the eye and said, "Nice."

My heart soared from my quiet Friend’s effusive praise. I felt so free and light in both body and spirit that I forgot my manners. I burst out of the Spa and under the railing, dragging Xianning toward home at my fastest Fast Trot, without even a proper, “Thank you” to Mpaji for her gift.

She didn’t bear a grudge. She and Xianning never do.

A few minutes later, she came alongside where we were trotting and tossed me a stuffed giraffe! Oh, joy. A toy! A toy! A toy!

I snagged it and spurred Xianning into our fastest trot. I couldn’t wait to be home to show the Golden Companions what Xianning called my new Dog “Do” and to snuggle down with my new giraffe. It was long past time for my nap(s), and I had some serious dreaming about Wilbur to do.

Part 6: The End

Alas, our dreams were all we really had. The remainder of May was a frustrating time.

Wilbur’s Human would repeatedly promise his arrival. Mpaji would arrange a play date for us. And, then we’d be stuck waiting the entire day when Wilbur’s Human “was too busy and forgot to telephone” Mpaji.

Worse was when Wilbur was left at Mpaji’s place hours after he was supposed to be home for his dinner — and Mpaji and Emma were supposed to be tucked into bed. The young Human's excuse in the evening was that it was inconvenient to pick Wilbur up before she worked out and ran her evening errands.

We all knew it was simple Human Self-Absorption, but there was not much we could do about it. Mpaji spoke kindly and plainly about her and Wilbur’s needs, both from the beginning and as the time went on. Only the excuses changed.

Finally Mpaji shared a plan with Xianning. Perhaps Wilbur’s Human did not value Mpaji’s time because it was a gift. If Mpaji charged the young Human a small amount a day, perhaps 10 dollars, which had to be paid even if Wilbur did not show, the young Human would value the interaction.

We all knew it was a risk, but the situation was unsustainable. Mpaji never heard from Wilbur's Human again.

Mpaji and I know Xianning watches what she calls the Canine Dating Sites for us, searching for a dog to fill the gap Wilbur left. We humor her, and we are waiting for what life brings.

Until then, Wilbur’s absence has brought Mpaji and me closer. We go out alone on Adventures three days a week. I’m teaching her all of Xianning and my routes, and she is teaching me to be less stubborn.

There was one route I didn’t have to teach her. On one of Wilbur's last visits, he convinced Mpaji to take him into Maple Canyon. He left me lots of Messages.

I followed that little loop every chance I got for awhile. I even took my Beloved Human.

I think my quiet friend said more with those Messages than he said the entire time we were together. Slowly they faded, but I still fancy I catch a whiff of my Dark and Dashing Wilbur every now and again.

Perhaps it is a whiff of his memory. That shall never fade.

Cinco's Golden Dreams

A Turkish Street Dog Celebrates San Diego

Spring Time Lovin'