LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Thursday, June 23, 2016

We Love Lucy


Like much of the country, we have continued to have record-breaking high temperatures.  Ninety degrees in the mountains is damned hot.  Especially when there is no mountain breeze.  Lucy's early morning romps are cut short.  It's been in the mid-70s by 7:00 every morning.  And last evening when I took her out at 9:00, it was still 78 degrees.  Very unusual June weather for us.  We shouldn't complain.  Many areas of the country are far worse.

I've thought about Ellie more often than usual this week.  Her birthday anniversary was June 21.  I sometimes wonder if Lucy has any memory of her.  I suppose no one will ever know what kind of recollections a dog holds.  I know that when people or animals come back into a dog's life after a long period, the dog remembers them.  But do they think of them in their absence?  Is it "out of sight, out of mind" or do they consciously miss the person or animal?  Lucy's behavior in the weeks after Ellie's sudden death indicated she definitely missed her.  But then she returned to her "normal" behavior and settled in to enjoy the life of an only child.

Regular readers know how Lucy used Ellie as a pillow.  What you might not know is that she did that from the time she was a little puppy.  I scanned in an old photograph taken when Lucy was about five months old.


Lucy and her favorite pillow





It's been an interesting week politically, hasn't it?  So many things have happened that are unprecedented in our lifetime.  And the "sit-in" on the House floor is definitely one of them.  So many rules broken to give voice to the need for some sort of gun control legislation.  No votes were called and the House was adjourned in the wee hours of the morning.  But many of the Democrats remained there in protest.

A renowned author, political activist, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and survivor of the Holocaust provides our quote for today.

Eliezer (Elie) Wiesel:

"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest."


HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE
 HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR AND REMEMBER
EVERYONE IS YOUR NEIGHBOR  

 

14 comments:

The Bug said...

Ah, Lucy and her favorite pillow - bittersweet photo!

I was pretty amazed by the sit-in. One of my Facebook friends said, "I'm thinking how overwhelming it must be for U.S. Rep. John Lewis to be singing "We Shall Overcome" again (still?) fifty-odd years down the road, this time on the floor of the House of Representatives. The more things change..."

Anonymous said...

I love seeing that photo of Lucy and Ellie. So sweet. Hope the weather cools down a bit there.

I was happy to see the protest, and that quote is truly beautiful.

Barbara Rogers said...

Lovely photo of your sweet friends.
The sit-in brought me to an interest in politicians more then the election. These were defiant people trying to do their jobs, and willing to go beyond some boundaries to do so. I really was thrilled. Did they make a decision tree before they did this? I have to think so, in which every eventuality was planned.
What next I wonder!

Nance said...

John Lewis is a National Treasure. He deserves more respect from the Speaker, but then so do all the victims of gun violence.

Ginnie said...

A great quote and I agree completely. Thanks for the beautiful picture. I loved all the pictures that you took and shared with us of the two of them together.

Ms. A said...

I like to believe she remembers.

Vicki Lane said...

I am so proud of the Democrats who are protesting the do-nothing attitude of the Republicans.

Arkansas Patti said...

Such a sweet shot of Ellie and Lucy. I'd like to think that the loss gets less but the memory doesn't fade. Pretty sure she thinks of and misses Ellie every time she rests her head on a toy.
I totally agree with Eliezer Wiesel's quote. Doing nothing is the only sin.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Pets that have gone to the Rainbow Bridge are still missed, you took a wonderful photo:)

KGMom said...

Love the Elie Wiesel quote. So true.
I agree on the de-energizing effects of heat, especially making normally pleasurable walks with a dog more of a chore.
Our dog, with her black fur, really minds the combination of heat and sun beating down. I look for the most shaded places to walk her. Helps keep us both a bit fresher.

NanaNor's said...

What a wonderful pic of Lucy and Ellie. I remember once we had to board our two dogs for 3 weeks while we traveled east. I was so concerned about whether they'd remember us and the breeder we boarded with told me that dogs have no conception of time-be it five minutes or five weeks. I believe they do remember their companions, human or animal,; probably just in a different was than we do. Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Hugs,
Noreen

troutbirder said...

Interesting question about dogs and memory....

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.'

Bug - I had exactly the same thoughts about the sit-in and the Civil Rights Movement.

Robin - Thanks. Yes the sit-in was meaningful and historic. Unfortunately, the NRA still owns the Republicans...

Barbara - I agree.

Nance - I totally agree.

Ginnie - thanks

Ms. A - I don't know if I want her to remember. I hope Caesar is correct that dogs live only in the here and now.

Vicki - I'm with you on that.

Patti - I love the quote too.

Far Side - Thanks, I do still miss our Ellie. I love reading your blog, especially about your wonderful Chance.

Donna - Yes, we do have to be careful with hairy dogs and heat.

Noreen - What a lovely thought. That they remember in a different way. I'd like to think Lucy remembers but in such a different way that it doesn't make her sad. Thanks

How Sam Sees It said...

I think they remember. I have a box with Sam's things in it and whenever I open it, Monty becomes very solemn.

Monty, Harlow and Ramble