Dogs

Dogs have played a big role in my life since forever. When I was maybe 4 or 5, we had a Black Labrador named Blackie (not original by any stretch of the word). I think he was my Dad's dog, but I don't really know. What I do remember is gathering all the leftovers from the table after supper and walking out to his doghouse. His tail was wagging like dogs do, happy to see me (and his food - though not necessarily in that order ...) I recall feeding him one Winter night - orange sun on the horizon around 5 PM (my old man worked first shift at that time so 5 PM was supper time). I remember giving Blackie his food and feeling sad he had to be chained up out in the cold (we brought him inside when it was super cold). He was so big (or I was so little), I think I came up to his shoulders. He was wonderful. I don't remember much from that time in my life, but I do recall that memory. Dogs do that to people - they leave deep marks of love.