After a bacon and bagels power meeting to plan the day, the WDA went out to the Studio to supervise Steve as he applied the final coats of protective finish on the baby gift I have been working on for almost 10 months. My part is done and I have received the White Dog paw of approval. Later this weekend we will make a video message to baby Ava describing our gift.
Then it was off to a family shelter in town to deliver our annual Christmas donation of blankets. this is a tradition started when we first moved to Albuquerque 15 years ago and several friends still, instead of gifting us, send us blankets or checks to use for the shelter donation. This year we also included crayons and markers and craft goods for the shelter's playroom. The children always love our White Ones who seem to know their duty and are always on their best behavior when we are there. This is always a "feel good" post holiday moment for us.
Good behavior deserves reward, Quinn reminded us from the way back seat in Pumpkin, and since we had not lunched, we agreed. The rule was NO PLASTIC SPOONS but since we were at Albuquerque's famous Dog House Drive In, that wasn't a problem...every pup wanted hot dogs! (Don't you just love this part of the sign Amber and Nola)?
When Steve suggested the WDA might all share a foot-long dog, White Dog quickly calculated that each of the five would receive 2.4" of weiner goodness. Steve asked for and received a plastic knife which was immediately taken out of the car after Steve, under the microscope of 10 Eskie eyes, divided up the treat. Thank dog Steve is an architect for had it been me, some pup would have demanded that I use a measuring tool to ensure accuracy.
What follows hot dogs better than a trip to the Park, right? On the errand route we discovered a Park that the WDA had not yet visited. It had a long stretch of grass rimmed by trees and White Dog was a streak of white as she flowed full speed down the greenway. Nuka, Puff, and Quinn strolled at a more leisurely pace at Steve's side. Then Steve and YoYoMa went for a run. It is always amazing to watch our blind boy gallop with abandon and total trust. He came back pantingly happy.
The rest of the errands were routine and the WDA napped as we drove. Back home, it was nearly dinner time and while things cooked cuddles and hugs and brushings and tug filled the living room.
Did I mention that Fridays have become our favorite day?
