I was off having wonderful dreams about a life without giant glowing squirrels when I got pulled out of my dreams and into Judge Foley’s chambers
She sat behind a big desk, wearing her robe, and looking very regal. She said it was time for me to do something important for Mommy. To learn the ways of the Monster.
She told me when she left that Mommy would miss certain things about her, but she didn’t want to teach them to me right away. If I had reminded Mommy of Foley she would be looking for more of Foley in me than me of me and Foley and I both agreed, I’m not Foley. But now, with her gone a year, it was time to be schooled.
The first class was in tongue. I have always kept my tongue in my mouth but Foley told me that I must start slipping it between my teeth and lips. I told Foley that unlike her I did not have a big tongue or a big mouth. She gave me a cold stare and told me to start practicing sticking my little tongue out of my little mouth.
Next came the walk. Foley’s back legs were slightly longer than her front legs so she walked with a very specific butt wiggle. My legs are the same size so to do the Foley walk I had to stand on my tippy claws and I kept tipping over. Plus I am a modest girl and don’t like shaking my butt. It took me many nights practice to get it down.
Then there is the spin around. Foley, when excited, always barked and spun around. I have started doing the spin around but not as often as Foley did because I get dizzy.
There are certain things she wanted me to do that I can’t. She used to bark at Mommy and Daddy throughout dinner for kibble but I find that to be rude. Also I try to do her big tail wag but since mine is cropped doing so is hard. And Foley used to nod her head to communicate with Mommy and I haven’t got that down yet.
But our plan has been successful, several times recently I have walked in the kitchen and Mommy has said Foley’s name. And it doesn’t make her cry anymore, it makes her feel good, and that makes me feel good, so thank you for teaching me your old tricks Foley, it’s been long enough, and the memory is a good one.
Do you ever remind your Mom of any of her dogs at the Bridge?
