Saturday, August 13, 2011

Marking Our Territory

There are days when I just don't feel fit for human consumption and every venture out into the real world leaves me feeling worthless and empty. Every encounter with human life leaves me hurt, wounded or just disappointed. At times I feel so lonely and yet there seems to be no one on the planet that I connect with. And I just can't wait to get home, behind my big steel gate. My home is my castle; the proverbial rock this red head would rather hide under.

Saturday was such a day. And I was not looking forward to my walk with the dogs. They had been so rambunctious all week culminating in Mabel disappearing on me Friday night. And my leg and arm pain were at an all time high. Add all that to the way I was feeling about the world in general and people in particular.... and I was in no mood for our boisterous hiking pack...human or canine.

I was hoping the town's Watermelon Festival would keep most of the regulars at bay. As we rounded the levee, I was thrilled to see absolutely no one. A solitary hike, just me and the dogs. YES!

Mabel headed for her favorite cuzzi spot and curled up for a soak. Bart bee-lined for the rocks where the weirdo from the night before had been drying his "laundry." Bart had been most uncomfortable with the presence of this strange man.

Bart sidled up to the boulder where Mr. Undies had been sitting a mere 24 hours before. He gave it a long sniff, cocked his leg and gave that stone a good whizz! (Take THAT Mr. Undies!)

I just about fell over with the best belly laugh I've had in ages. And yes, I wish I had that tool in MY arsenal some days... I think the world would be a bit easier if we all could just draw a boundary line in the sand!

7 comments:

Snowbrush said...

It's not just you. I went to a 30 person picnic today (it was my atheist group), and went back and forth between enjoying myself and wanting to run. I talked my head off, but then wondered if I made a fool of myself in the process. I can never get it right.

I must say that I've never heard YOU talk like this though. I suppose you just needed time to charge your batteries, and if you're an introvert--as I think you are--you have to do it alone.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Way to go, Bart. Mom may have a hard time communicating with you but you know how to leave a good message!!!

Everyone has those days, hope today is a better one for you.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

Dexter said...

I totally hear you. Sometimes people are just too much for me to deal with. How wonderful when our dogs can give us a genuine moment of joy during difficult times.

Mango Momma

rottrover said...

Way to go, Barticus! You claimed your space at the creek and you made Auntie laugh. GOOD BOY!!

And yes, we've all got that goin' on. It's why we love our dogs so much.

Duly Inspired said...

Your story gave me a good laugh too, and on a day when I needed it! Thanks Bart!!! :-)

Anonymous said...

Are you talking about the guy who takes a bath in the creek everyday? I found his shorts the other day, the ones he has on every time I see him before he disrobes, just laying besides the creek in the dirt. I wonder what he's wearing now? Yucky!

I feel the same way sometimes about the outside world. I am kind of a hermit myself and enjoy just working on my projects at home all day. Sometimes my only human interaction, other than with my husband, is the creek posse (which includes you)! So I hear you on the alone time thing but I enjoy bumping into you, Mabel, and Bart on the trails!

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

Gretchen, We missed you guys tonight!

The guy that bathes daily is Rafi (Rafael)... We know him... Mabel and Bart adore him and that's good enough for me!

No, this was some weird guy... Never seen him before!