We have not exactly settled into our new house, but we seem to be easing into the routine of the new digs. Our dog, Chase, on the other hand, is right at home. After nearly 10 years of a rather boring routine (twice daily walk-abouts and napping most of each day) Chase now has a fenced-in back yard, a doggie door and a new world to explore on his own.
Chase is a young 10 year-old golden retriever mix we adopted from the Brookhaven Animal Shelter. He and his litter mates had been rescued from the parking lot at Lowes in Medford. He still jumps on people, cannot walk on a leash, relentlessly begs to play catch and continues to be mocked by the squirrels he futilely chases up trees.
This old dog has developed a new, more independent character. He spends hours in the backyard watching and listening. When we were living on a main road in Bellport Village, the sounds of nature (and neighbors) was often obscured by the traffic (such as it is in Bellport) noise. Chase, like the rest of us, is discovering just how distracting and intriguing those birds (and neighbors) can be.
Chase is the one member of the family who is home all of the time. He has learned the weekly routine of the new neighborhood; when the postman, UPS truck (his mortal enemy,) and the garbage collectors make their rounds. He is learning the voices of neighboring mutts and seems to be relieved that there are no stray cats in the area. He is afraid of cats.
It will take us humans in the house a bit longer to find our stride. It will help when we actually find all of the things we packed. My work space needs organization; the kitchen is not quite functional; the instruments have not been removed from their cases; where will I be storing all the linens? Perhaps I will just follow Chase’s lead; sit in the backyard to watch and listen.
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