July 16, 2011

White Dog greeted us in the midst of the Welcome Home Swirl with the words, "Happy Independence Day!" It was after midnight (Opera 3...Griselda) so I wasn't sure I heard her right or thought maybe she didn't remember the opera's plot. I looked puzzled.

"Happy Independence Day," she repeated more forcefully, this time nodding to turn our attention to the sofa. There, standing as proudly as the Statue of Liberty, right in the middle of the cushions was The Mighty Quinn. He was wagging his tail and woofing his greeting. All of the White Dogs turned to look in amazement. The Other White Dog, the shy boy who NEVER came up on the furniture even when invited and who slinks off in shame if he is caught one of the rare times he braves napping on the couch when no one is home, was boldly making his voice heard! No apologize, no shyness. After making eye contact and hearing our approval, TOWD stepped down off his mountain and strutted to take a drink.

The greeting resumed as everyone wanted to know what delicacy we had brought home for them...salmon sushi, still ice cold from the cooler.

As the WDA munched on the midnight snack, White Dog shared the other reason for her "Independence Day" statement. Seems Michael who has been very slow to warm to the idea of exploring our area and is reluctant to travel by bus, was bitten by the freedom bug as well. It was (still) very hot and Michael decided to treat himself to ice cream. We have a wonderful gelato shoppe a few blocks away but Michael always comments on how pricey he thinks they are. Since he was using his own allowance he decided to be frugal and walk to the grocery store about 3/4 of a mile a way to get his own sundae fixings. The route is not complicated and he has driven with us many many times but this is the first time he has taken the initiative to go on this adventure alone. He even had the foresight to bring our little shoulder chiller bag so the ice cream would not melt on the way home!

His mission was successful and after WD filled us in, we found a note, in his neat tiny printing explaining that he hoped we did not mind that he left the pups alone and that we were not mad that he had eaten "unauthorized" ice cream (we try to keep a close watch on what we all eat but it is with the understanding that he can do whatever he chooses with his own money). At the bottom of his note was a comment that he had shared a few bites of his treat with the White Dogs and that if we wanted we could have some too. Steps toward self-determination, independence, AND socialbility!

Happy Independence Day, indeed!

Note to our opera fan followers: There is a reason Vivaldi is not known for his operas. Not even the stripped-down to bare bones avante garde treatment by superstar theater director, Peter Sellars or a mural set by famed Chicano surrealist Gronk could save the day.