Sassy Tales

Sassy enjoys company. She is a great guest and host.

Sassy had a sleep-over with Army Ranger Bob this week. They were back early (for him) on Monday morning. She must have enjoyed her stay, because she almost went back with him. Everyone loves Sassy, except Tiny, the ferocious Chihuahua who guards the Four Esses.

 Tiny has this reaction when Sassy warns him to stop being so cute with me. They made enough noise to wake the neighborhood.

We have had some cold mornings, but John and Patricia come out in the cold to see Sassy. The big question is whether Sassy will love up husband, wife, or neither. It is easy to see that Sassy is playing with them, so they laugh at her stubborn coldness. A burst of laughter prompts Sassy to bestow her gentle kisses, always listening for a reaction.

 German road-block. Sassy gets attention by filling the passageway with her stretched-out body. Kitchen? Why not stretch out in front of the fridge? Dominating the space is a win, all by itself.

Coffee is magical for Sassy. She has made pour-over coffee time her chance to request some Johnsonville brat slices. This began with my shocked look when she was in the kitchen before the sun was up. Now she quickly changes her expression from hopeful to big, self-satisfied, and smiley. If she is sleepy, the smile takes a few more dramatic gestures and backward hops.

Sassy understands that I want fresh, hot coffee before we walk. She has ways to motivate me and to show her impatience:

1. The paw against my leg - the lightest touch tells me she is present and ready to walk, at my convenience. She may murmur a little.
2. A gentle swap means it is time, but she will wait a bit.
3. The command-demand cycle begins with dragging a paw across my kneecap. (Once it was my fragile and sensitive stomach, and she laughed at the result.) People should consider a dog's ability to smile, laugh, scowl, pout - they are masters of management.
4. If the first kneecap scrape is ineffective, the next one is a double with more force and a definite, impatient scowl.
5. Christina was awake and watching when I said, "Wait for the triple scrape."
6. I closed my eyes and became still. Sassy delivered the final warning, DEFCON 1 THIS IS NOT A DRILL! - three forceful kneecap scrapes and a furious look. I burst out laughing, which only proved that I am malleable. Sassy and I left soon after for the walk.

Sassy the Visitor

On morning walks, Sassy visits Pat whenever she is out. Pat even comes out in the cold to see Sassy. Today, Pat's son was visiting from Tucson, so the three of us watched Sassy scour the yard for treats. She found a roast bone and settled down for a long session. Pat was pleased to have her son there and Sassy enjoying the bone.

That reminded me of the 50th reunion of the Moline High School class of 1966. We took Sassy along and had two goals - we would see Toby McGriff in the nursing home, first of all, and Guy Johnson when he had time.

Toby's nursing home welcomed dogs, and Sassy soaked up the love from everyone. In fact, so many wheelchairs gathered around Sassy that all traffic stopped and we had to break up the traffic jam.

At Toby's room we could see he was in bad shape. Our memories went back to junior high band, starting with John Deere and ending with MHS. The same people come together for band, even for summer marching band practice, so we had years to compare band directors, baton twirlers, and band trips. Toby loved seeing Sassy. The Moline High 66ers went to Augustana in a large group, so Christina felt very much at home with the Moliners at Augie and the overlapping friendships. It was very hard to leave Toby - we all felt the sadness, no time for chipper denials. Toby passed on to eternal life not long after.

 Toby and I had stories way back in time.

Our other goal was to see Guy Johnson, whom we met at Lago's for the 45th. Our friendship went back to Garfield Grade School (now a condo) and comic books. I bought all the Classics Illustrated, even ordering them from the publisher, and gathered DC comics by the pound.

We sat outside and below the motel, near the river, visiting with Guy. He brought his dog who came over to me for petting and compliments. Sassy felt left out and tried some sharing, only to be growled away. She stood back, hurt, for a time - until Guy fussed over her. Then both dogs beamed as we all talked.

 Guy Johnson - outside of Lagomarcino's. His group asked for suggestions for their reunion. The '66 imperial reunion committee considered suggestions lèse-majesté.