Going to the dogs

 

Sophie is still having issues—so consequently am I. She’s off her feed, as the old folks used to say, and refused anything edible all weekend, which meant I couldn’t get a pill down her. Then last night, she woke me at two-thirty. I was so proud of myself: I did not yell or get angry. I talked in a calm, low voice, explained I knew her tummy hurt (she had been eating grass) and I would call the dog doctor in the morning but she should go to her crate and go back to sleep. Her anxious look turned to inquisitive—I’m sure she was thinking, “What in God’s name is she talking about? My stomach hurts!” But eventually, she turned and went away, and I didn’t hear from her.

Until five o’clock, when sweet talk did not work. I let her out, stayed up with her for almost an hour, and finally went back to bed with her curled right outside the back door to the house. I do not leave her out unattended and won’t do it again, but I thought desperate situations called for desperate measures. When daylight came, I cracked the door so she could come in, and when I finally got up at eight-thirty, I found her curled in a chair.

Today the vet sent medicine, suggesting I give it to her with honey. Honey? Are you kidding? Have you ever tried to get a pill, slippery with honey, down a dog’s throat. I hid it in cheese, stroked her throat, talked sweetly, felt her swallow—let go and she spit out the pill. Jordan got it down her tonight, and she ate her first food since Saturday night so I hope we’re on the mend.

Otherwise, a workday. With my late start on the morning I barely got my emails out of the way when neighbor Margaret came to talk to me about the Lily B. Clayton centennial book for an article in the neighborhood newsletter. Pleasant visit, and I spent the rest of the morning struggling to incorporate the interview with Margaret, who worked on the archive and did the photo permissions, with what I’d learned from Deb Nyul, who wrote the text of the book. It’s a wonderful story of dedicated volunteer neighbors—and a beautiful, professional book.

If you are interested in women’s literature, here’s a whole reading list for you: The Sarton Book Awards have been announced by Story Circle Network. Presented for memoir, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and nonfiction, the award is named in honor of May Sarton for her contributions to women’s literature. Winner in the memoir category is Susan Tweit for Bless the Birds (She Writes Press), a recalling of her husband’s final days with a glioblastoma. A powerful book about love and grief and illness. I am not familiar with the other winners, but here they are: Contemporary Fiction: The Sound Between the Notes by Barbara Linn Probst (She Writes Press); Historical Fiction: Vindicated: A Novel of Mary Shelley by Kathleen Williams Renk (Cuidono Press); Nonfiction: The Strong Black Woman: How a Myth Endangers the Physical and Mental Health of Black Women by Marita Golden (Mango). Given at the same time is the Gilda Award, honoring the memory of Gilda Radner and recognizing memoir with fresh and authentic voices. Winner this year is Act Like You're Having a Good Time by Michele Weldon (Northwestern University Press). And special recognition went to The Book of Awesome Girls: Why the Future Is Female by Becca Anderson (Mango). Story Circle Network is an international organization, founded by Texas author Susan Wittig Albert, to support women writers and raise public awareness of the importance of women’s personal histories. Check out some of these titles—they contain a wealth of good writing and insight into women’s lives.

Other than that, I’m happy to report that my garden is growing, the lettuce leafing out nicely, the green onions standing straight and tall, although the lone tomato plant is struggling. My mouth is already watering for good, fresh salads, especially wilted lettuce like Mom used to make.

Hope this is a productive week for everyone, with still enough time to read, play, cook and eat really good food, sleep, and enjoy life.