Last Waltz For The Gus-Man...

I heard the news today, oh boy. About a lucky dog who just wasn't fitting with his mortal coil anymore. A couple we know, good friends, called today to let us know they had had to put down their little buddy. They had adopted him from a local small dog rescue a few years ago, I think it was. Not terribly long, honestly. Too short for such a pleasant pet. They say he was cremated with his red bandanna on. He always had that on. It was his leather jacket, his stetson, his Chaplincane. Gus always greeted me at the door any time I came over with an eager sniffing, a playful demeanor and lately, two forepaws right to the groin where he rested until a sufficient amount of loving had been administered. He was bright, even for a mutt. I know that they will take awhile to mourn him. Next Saturday we are to meet at a local park for a scattering of ashes. Perhaps we will drink from deep malted wells, share stories, sniff crotches. It's all about Gus that night, no regard for self.

You know, we recently adopted (accepted, really) a pair of rescue kitties. They turned one year old this past week. Although their health seems great right now, it would be unreasonable to think that we will not live to see them pass on. Even after 20 years of them, we would still be middle aged, and with the amount of alcohol my boy cat consumes, he's probably looking at more like 15-17. It's the quality, I suppose, not the quantity, just like with anything. If it can take air, water, then grow and bloom, it can and will also die. Just a small reminder of that for me tonight. You want to make sure you don't regret those times where you were free to choose whatever you wanted to. Those times where no one had the gun to your head. That's my reflexive moral application from the situation. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. That's the Bible. Go figure.

This has been brought to you under the influence of some Listerine mouth wash. Just a splash. No insurance, so, what are you going to do? Gargle well, my pets...