Sounds From a Sick Day

Sniffling Nora

turning pages

humming fireplace

thumping washing machine

clacking keyboard

and a 

quietly resting 

little brown dog

Nora stayed home today with the sniffles and a sore throat.  But does that mean she was confined to her bed?  Well... no.  

For, sick or not, the dog still needed walking.  And, since Dave is gone all day skiing, it also means no rest for the weary (and/or sickly).  

So, I bundled her up, piled her into the van with Hattie, and drove us all to Pt. Defiance where we walked the trails above Salmon Beach.  Hattie, completely unaware of Nora's weakened condition, ran the trails in her typical full-speed beast mode.  Nora, aided by, and very much reliant upon, the walking stick she found along side the trail, moved at a much slower pace.  Much slower pace.  But none of us cared.  Today wasn't about racing, or fitness.  It was about moving, being outside, breathing in the fresh misty air, and being together.  Cold be damned! 

I know I won't win Mother of the Year Award after this little stunt,  (a stunt my own mother never would have permitted) but a little fresh air never hurt anyone with a cold.  And despite Nora's sluggishness, she had a great time.  Especially when we FINALLY made it to the dog park and she got to watch Hattie play with the other dogs.  And by play, I mean chase after them, while frantically barking, as THEY retrieved the balls I threw.