Sasha Number One

[Originally published in Quiet Laughter on July 27, 2011]

Cor and I had vowed, “no more kids.” No matter what. We simply did not have the space, or the time, to devote to the four we already had. At least three of whom were originally intended as foster children, a temporary situation that sidled into permanence. But we loved them; even Cor, who believed for years he was allergic to them (until Panchita arrived to prove him wrong). I’m amazed at the wonderful dad he’s become. I never thought he had it in him to wake up in the middle of the night for them, or cut a party short because it was feeding time, or retell their escapades like any proud father. 

And then there was Winter...

Winter was the first of our dogs I named. These photos were taken at the office terrace in August 2010, a couple of days after she showed up there. Later I was to identify her as a Corgi mix--short, powerful legs, elongated body, a passion for chasing anything that moves (or flies, especially), eyes so expressive sometimes I think she's half human. 

How I Became A Homeowner

Photo credit (thanks, Claudia!)

Ah, Rusty. Another dog I didn't name, another dog from the office parking lot. But this dog changed our lives in more tangible ways.

A Tribute To Frida

Frida came to us in December 2008. Tiny thing with matted hair, thin, shy but not hostile. She showed up at the office parking lot (yes, her too). I saw her two or three times, scurrying around the cars, looking so small. So vulnerable.

I left early that afternoon for some reason I don't remember--usually I worked until 7 or 8 pm. When I walked out of the building, the sun was setting and the air had that peachy glow of Caribbean dusks. I saw her then as she hurried away, out into the street.

Panchita's Story

This is Panchita. She doesn't deserve that stupid name, but--what can I say. I wasn't responsible for naming her. Come to think of it, I've named very few of my dogs.

Panchita came into my life at the end of 2006. One day she was at the parking lot of the company I used to work for, wagging her stubby magic wand of a tail, and looking cute as hell with those big liquid brown eyes of hers. Someone fed her, and that was that--she never left.