My Lousy World

Singing a different tune

By Doug Blough
Posted 8/25/22

Since she’s been gone, I have a lot more room on my couch; since she’s been gone, I can golf all day long if I feel like it; I can run through the house screaming; no one will ever hear …

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My Lousy World

Singing a different tune

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Since she’s been gone, I have a lot more room on my couch; since she’s been gone, I can golf all day long if I feel like it; I can run through the house screaming; no one will ever hear me. I really should be glad, but I’m bluer than blue, sadder than sad; she’s the only light this lonely room has ever had, and life without her is gonna be … bluuuer than blue.

I’ve slightly altered the words to Michael Johnson’s ‘78 hit I often moped around singing after I sadly said goodbye to my sweet Ginger-Bug. I learned life without a dog isn’t really living. Soon after Ginger passed, I’m sure neighbors suspected I wasn’t taking it well. Walking alone through the townhouse common area in an open bathrobe and pulling an empty leash must have some concerned.

When Townhouse Association president Barb Atkinson would see me and wave, I’d coo, “Come here girl. Good giiirl” as she approached and scratch her behind her ear. It didn’t take a psychologist to figure out Douglas was dogless and smiling was pointless. I was just going through the motions.

And then along comes Nymeria, a homeless, black gal with a name I’ve never heard of and couldn’t remember. Kathy McDonald of 3-Dog-Rescue — an animal-lover’s godsend — played matchmaker, urging me to meet this Nymeria chick being boarded at Bed ‘n Biscuit.

But was I ready? I’d spent six years singing, “Nothing Compares to U” to Ginger, who really was a one-in-a-million best friend. But what-the-hey, just meeting Nymeria couldn’t hurt I suppose. So we had a chaperoned meeting at B & B and I thought it very polite when she offered her paw in a handshake gesture. I even took her out to my truck and she eagerly hopped right in.

It was a pleasant first date, but she had the all-important “Cat Scan” test to pass before she could even think about taking Ginger’s spot on the couch with me. I opened my front door with an extremely taut leash in-hand ready to be jerked away at the first hiss, and there was my bushy, butterscotch beauty, Kiki, sitting on the end table inside the door like a Wal-Mart greeter.

A few words about the incomparable Kiki: she never meows; she chirps. She’s a dog trapped in a cat’s body, which must be frustrating as hell. She habitually walked the townhouse grounds with me and Ginger, always staying about 10 yards behind and then bolting to catch up. There’s one tree where the rascal always stops to roll in the dirt; I have video of her and Ginger rolling together, feet apart.

It didn’t take long for neighbors to notice and delight in watching these family walks. People came from miles around to see it. Well, I may be exaggerating a bit, but I have seen a few out-of-state vehicles in the parking lot. Sure, all parents say it, but Kiki is one precious pooty-cat. Well, Nymeria was a little scared of the purring Kiki at first, but it was apparent there would be no bad blood.

So I made it official and brought her home to the “Musty Manor,” but our first order of business was to change that name; “Nymeria” sounds more like a medical condition. You never want to change a name too far removed from the previous, so in honor of my dear, late mother, Nymeria is now Naomi. The name “Kiki” never really rolled off my tongue fluidly either, so I may rename her “Kooky.”

But still missing Ginger, my new song became, “Help me Naomi, help, help Naomi – help me Naomi; yeah; get her outta my heart.” Well, weeks have now passed and Kiki hasn’t missed a step in trailing Naomi and me around the block and rolling at her usual tree. Naomi plants herself right by the coffeetable at dinnertime and just like her predecessor, waits patiently, never begging, for the inevitable hand-delivered bites. Like Ginger, she has the softest mouth since my high school girlfriend.

As you probably noticed, there’s music in my soul again. What 3-Dog-Rescue brought together, let no man put asunder.

My Lousy World

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