As I walk the paved path at a nearby park with my blue-eyed girl and cinammon-colored boy fur babies, I am reminded of the familiarity of my surroundings.
Hens and drakes skim across the lake, a killdeer sings her song of distress least anyone disturb her nest, and the cicadas low hum remind me of a small fan motor.
I bump into Jan and Ralph, a cute couple, out for their morning stroll. They always surprise my curious canines with crunchy Milkbone treats. Today is no different.
Nearing the end of our walk, the dogs hop in the car. I quench their thirst by pouring water from an empty milk carton into their pink soft-sided bowl. Girl dog sloppily sips water from the mouth of the jug before it trickles into the bowl.
We make our usual morning coffee run to Starbucks, where I know the all the barristas names.
Lincoln greets me at the counter, and says, “The usual?”
“Tall cap, non-fat, ristretto, extra hot, with one pump of mocha, light whip and salt.”
“Dry?”
“Yes please.”
“Haven’t seen you here in awhile,” Sarah says with her cheery smile, who is busy making my beverage.
“Yeah, I know.”
I love hearing the sound of the espresso machine as it screeches, before the dark caramel-hued liquid drops into the shiny shotglasses.
I head back to the car to find Boy dog sitting in the driver’s seat, or Girl dog posed in the passenger seat.
As I drive away, I roll the windows all the way down, so my animal children can feel the cool air caress their soft fur like an ocean breeze hugs warm naked skin.
As I turn down the gravel road to my home, cardinals chirp, squirrels carrying nuts scurry, and bunnies scamper. The oak, walnut, and maple trees are dressed in celery greens and corn-maize yellows ready for their fall fashion show.
Opening the door from the garage to the kitchen, I tell Boy dog to “push it,” and he gently nudges it open with his nose.
Girl kitty is waiting for our arrival home, talking in her best ‘quack’ voice that we’ve been gone way too long!
As I pen this note on the deck, the dog children rest nearby – one sleeping, the other pensive and curious about the sounds and sights on our property.
The Cleomes, bathed in shades of lavender, are favorites of the hummingbirds. I study their lacy blooms that fan out in a helicopter-like pattern.
All is right with the world.
Sheree's Warm Fuzzies 