My younger Golden Retriever is about to deliver a litter. I have had dogs all my life, but never one who
was pregnant. When I was pre-kindergarten we had a dog- a dachshund named
Little Miss Muffet. My mother tried to breed her- nope, she had nothing to do
with that kind of thing. Muffet and I spent lots of time together as I dressed
her up in my dolls' clothes and wheeled her around in my doll carriage. Muffet
took it all with good humor. The pictures my mother took prove it. Muffet on
her back complete with bonnet, blanket and frilly dress tucked in the carriage.
My current two Goldens would never tolerate a baby carriage
or a bonnet. Yet, they have their own expectations. We have the tennis balls,
the flying squirrel toys, the soft beds and of course the neighbors who always
bring doggy treats. Totally spoiled girls.
As we wait for the new puppies to arrive (not at my house at
the breeder’s), I have been put on alert to be there. You know the drill if you
have ever had a child or helped someone who’s been there. The simple clothes
are set ready, the phone is by the bed, the family is on alert that if you are
missing in the morning not to worry. We’re going to have six, or more, babies
according to the ultrasound. Yep, ultrasound. This is totally out of my
knowledge base- thank God for the breeder knowing what to do.
The connection here to our ongoing conversation about
writing is conception, inception, production and acceptance. We have so many
ideas. They spin in our heads. We talk to our characters out loud, not worrying
who might overhear. We put the words on the page and hope they make sense. Many
of those words are sent to the trash can, but we love everyone of them. Special
children they are, even if we have to set them free.
The conversation we have with our imaginary, and not so
imaginary friends, is real. I visited my Golden a few nights ago. We have a
game where I ask her if she wants to snuggle. She does a belly crawl over to me
and puts her head against my neck. Then she has a whole conversation with me
that is her form of talking. I wouldn’t know how to type out the sounds. I say
silly things back like, “Oh, really? Tell me again.” She continues, pauses, and
waits for my responses. Visualize that we both are spread out on the floor on
top of each other.
The point is, we all have stories. We all have audiences.
And, we must not stop working at our craft. Even if it’s with a gorgeous Golden
Retriever.
4 comments:
OMG PUPPIES!!! I love puppies. Who doesn't love puppies??
I have conversations with my yellow lab, Cooper, all the time. Hubby thinks I'm crazy, by my darling Diva gets it. She talks to him too. Must be a girl thing.
There are so many, sometimes painstaking, steps to get our writing where it needs to be. I guess the thing is that no matter how silly it sounds, it just might be what an editors ears are looking for, and sweet music at that!. And you'll never know until you try.
Fun post, Cassy. Post picks of the new babies!!!!
Congrats on becoming a grandmother Cassy.
I remember when Kebi was alive, we use to talk all the time and I think that's partly were I got the idea of having a collie as a main character in my books
I love Goldens, Cassy. Please be sure and send pictures.
And the analogy to writing was great.
Hey, my friends, thanks so much for your good words. My darling girl is HUGE- I think she's delivering basket balls. But all that aside, isn't it interesting where and how we find the ideas and the words? I ask that punching the air.
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