DOUBLE DUTY

Here is Spring Sport, the CEO of the pasture. When you are CEO, your duties never end. Oh, sure. It looks like you are playing golf and having drinks with friends while everyone else is working. But when the poop hits the fan, whose name comes up? You bet- YOU are on the hook!

Sport is the guy who manages Bergie and Ray (his 2 pasture-mates) day and night. He watches over both of them while they nap. He assesses danger when something unexpected shows up near their stomping ground. If he decides it is worth evacuating, they do. If he decides it is nothing to worry about, they don't.

It isn't easy being him. They both look up to him and compete for his attention, all the while bickering among themselves. So often his facial expression looks a little weary of all the responsibility. But there is no quitting this job, it is a life-long commitment.

Last week, Bergie, who had gained a little bit too much weight while Dad was in charge of feeding, was separated while the boys cleaned up their (more abundant) food. She gains weight at the mere discussion of hay, so she must be separated, just for a part of the day. Ray was standing outside, not interested in his hay (never a good sign) and he was shaking. I slipped a halter on him and led him out of the pasture area to have a better look.

Poor guy had a minor case of colic. This can be serious in horses- it can even cause death, so I proceed with care. I called the vet and developed a plan. I had to give him a pain killer and see if I could get him to eat grass to stimulate his intestines. We were just outside of the pasture fence.

Sport came over, worried about his friend. He sniffed and looked at us for long minutes. I wonder if he was giving some direction or encouragement to Ray? Soon after, Ray began eating grass. This was a good sign. Bergie was very worried about her friends because she could not get close enough to the action. She was behind a fence that was about 10 yards away. She began whinnying frantically. So, Chief Executive Officer, who really wanted to eat his hay, turned from us and went over to assure Bergie that all was well. He stayed with her for half an hour. Finally, when everyone was comforted and doing well, he lumbered in to eat his breakfast, which was brunch at this point.

So, I ask you- CEO or Mom?

DOG AND CAT THEOLOGY

A dog says: You love me, feed me, care for me- You must be God.

A cat says: You love me, feed me, care for me- I am God.

Those of us having both dogs and cats know how this theological perspective could be true. Nobody has ever "worked like a cat" (maybe they have, but I am sure they would get fired for it). The word "dog" is synonymous with loyalty, dedication and adoration.

I have heard it said that people who like (in my case, love) cats are confident and self-assured. That is, of course, because you will not get any affirmation from your cat. Your dog, on the other hand, hangs on your every move. They wait patiently while you find the leash, the treat, the ball. Their entire lives are wrapped up in YOU.

Last week I had an evening appointment with a client and I was not home until after 8:00pm. Eddy spent the entire evening sleeping in the laundry room, where the door to the garage is located. He waited there for hours until I was home again. It was a weird feeling to have somebody THAT wrapped up in me and my whereabouts. Sort of... God-like? Well, I don't know. But I certainly felt important.

Funny, I feel that important to my cats, too. They don't sleep in the laundry room when I am gone, but they certainly do look for me and follow me around. Perhaps we are better-equipped to understand dog adoration than the more subtle cat love? I am still of the opinion that if you put the love in, you get the love out.

"And, in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make" -Paul McCartney.