Pets and parades bubble up in post-Thanksgiving reflections

OK, I admit it. I watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Not that I’m a parade junkie. Not at all. In fact, I could easily have passed on things like a helium-filled balloon that looked like a huge sponge with a silly face, and  short pants to further personify it.
Parades remind me of the many in which I participated in New York City. You see, I attended a Jesuit, military high school – that explains a lot, doesn’t it? – in Manhattan and we were regulars in annual St. Patrick’s Day and Columbus Day parades. We even marched in the parade honoring General Douglas MacArthur after he was sacked by President Truman. Sad to learn these many years later that it should have been President Truman for whom the parade was held, rather than General MacArthur.
Well, after a few minutes of listening to insufferable talking heads extolling the wonders of the talent singing and dancing their way down Broadway, I turned my attention to more interesting things. (I think I took out the garbage and cleaned out the kitty litter box.)
When I returned to the family room, the parade had ended and a national dog competition was underway. I never imagined for a minute that there could be so many handsome as well as strange-looking breeds of K9s. The ears of a Great Dane were actually higher than its handler! Then there were dogs so small they had trouble running the length of the floor to display whatever it is that they display when they go through their compulsory activities.
As different as they all were, one from another, I am sure they all bring companionship and love to the folks who raise and care for them. Although, with all the time some of them must spend in the beauty salon, I question whether they even have much time to get to know their humans.
Watching the dogs was both good and not-so-good for me. You see, Lady M and I began 2012 with three dogs and two cats. Maggie was a Golden Retriever I had when Lady M and I got married. Maggie was a great dog – not perfect, but a true friend and companion. She died after 15 years, five months and eight days on this earth. Old age caught up with her. We went through so much together: a divorce – mine, not hers; several moves; the welcoming of numerous grand children; illnesses; so much. But it was her time. She and I both knew it.
When we met, Lady M had a Yorkshire Terrier, Snickers, who died of old age a few years ago. She replaced Snickers with two Yorkies, Truffles and Rocky. (You might have seen her pushing them down Monterey Road in their two-seat pram. Not spoiled, just well cared for.) For reasons unknown, Truffles became very ill and within a few days joined Maggie in dog heaven. This was in spite of the valiant efforts of our good friend. Dr. Rick Leininger – the most incredible veterinarian in all of Morgan Hill, if not the world – of the South County Animal Hospital. Rocky was stricken with the same malady but recovered, thankfully.
I began adoption proceedings of another Golden Retriever, Daisy, with the help of Gayle Jackson of the Northern California Golden Retriever Rescue organization.
Daisy was the perfect companion for me. She was feisty, intelligent, handsome, easily trained, house-broken – sounds like we were a perfect match, doesn’t it? – and we really hit it off. Unfortunately, she and one of Lady M’s Yorkies couldn’t agree on the alpha-dog thing and there was little peace in the Miller household. So, Daisy went to another home with no other pets and she is doing exceptionally well, we have been told. Lady M asked me how I was doing after losing Maggie and giving up Daisy. I explained that losing Maggie was like losing a family member. Giving up Daisy was like losing a girlfriend back in high school when you knew it just wasn’t right.
We had one other pet loss in 2012. At the beginning of the year, our cat Tosca just disappeared one day, never to be seen again. Tosca was dropped on my doorstep almost 14 years ago. She was beautiful and a great hunter. We don’t know what happened to her, but wherever she is, the gophers better watch out.
So, we started the year with five pets and ended it with only two, plus we lost Daisy. Not the best year for two animal lovers. But, there is always tomorrow.
When the time is right, Lady M and I will call Gayle and let her know that it’s time to be on the lookout for another Golden Retriever to help us replace the void that we feel without Maggie – and Daisy, too.
Henry “Hank” Miller is a retired rocket scientist, he has an interest in classic automobiles, good  conversation, martinis and community affairs. Reach him at [email protected].