Saturday, May 15, 2010

Wilf, gadgets and the sunset.



Absolutely hate rushing for planes so allowed an hour and a half to get from the hotel to the airport, go through security and still have time to spare. Of course on this particular morning the autoroute was eerily deserted - the lack of cars made it seem as though the horsemen of the apocalypse had swept through town in the middle of the night. As a result an impossible to replicate ten minutes from the front door of the hotel to the departure lounge.

The lines at the security gate soon explained the lack of traffic on the roads. The entire population of the Netherlands had chosen that very morning to get up early and decamp en masse to the airport . There they all were standing happily shell suited with their trolleys and wheelie bags waiting to be scanned and take off their footwear in homage to the shoe bomber. Oh, the glamour of travel. Just as I had prepared myself for a lengthy period of airport purgatory along came a young lady in an egg shell blue uniform to open up a new screening position - right in front of where I was standing. 30 seconds later and I was through.

Have you noticed that there are two parallel sets of time that operate at airports ? If you're in a rush to catch a flight every minute only has ten seconds in it. Conversely, if you get to the airport early then time suddenly stretches. A minute suddenly becomes ten minutes. Having read my paper from front to back and then re-read it from back to front I realised that there was still an hour and a bit to go before the gate opened. Time to take a deep breath and go shopping. That's when the 'gadget' sign caught my eye. Nirvanah in terminal C. Solar powered coffee mugs, a system that enables you to desalinate water at home and a moving electronic dinosaur. If only there was no limit on cabin baggage.

Last night I called a reluctant Wilf out into the garden to watch the sunset and have a serious mano a mano. We settled down on the top of the hill next to Digby. I explained the situation to him. The more I talked the more he nestled into me. When I got to the point about the two options of either a puppy or a rescue dog he yawned, put his head on my knee and rolled on his back. This is where 'the font' found us half an hour later - two old chaps dozing on the grass in the twilight. Something must have clicked. After dinner he suddenly appeared with a toy in his jaws - a sure sign that he wanted to play. For half an hour a reversion to more innocent days as he rug surfed his way up and down the smooth hall tiles . His enjoyment was nothing compared to our happiness at seeing him play again.

37 comments:

  1. I'm glad that after all you've been through, you and Wilf are enjoying the simple things in life that bring so much joy to a day!

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  2. i know what you mean about airport time!
    So happy that Wilf has decided it is ok to play again....i know what a difficult time this has been for you...let the healing begin....
    xoxo

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  3. Maybe Wilf needed that talk to know that all is OK between you and him. So good to hear that he wanted to play.

    Woos- Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

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  4. We are glad to hear he is playing again!

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  5. Way to go, Wilf. I remember how long it took Natasha to snap out of the loss of Nikita. Our canine friends just need some time to grieve.

    Funny how we always wanted puppies, but now think of nothing but adding a rescue. So fun to watch a rescue come alive knowing they are finally "home."

    P.S. - Had to laugh at your travel stories. Your comment about always expecting sunshine - amazing how many cities I get to without a coat. And your description of airport time is spot on.

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  6. Hearing that Wilf is playing again brings a smile to my face. Healing is beginning for your family.

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  7. I agree with kks, let the healing begin for all of you.....

    Gill in Canada

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  8. Ah yes...the black hole of airport security these days. Such a trial. A lovely Wilf story with signs of healing to come. Clearly the lad needed a bit of a heart-to-heart. Good job Angus. You're all in our hearts here across the Atlantic.

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  9. One never knows how tense one has been till a new dog starts to play on its own or with a compatible member of the pack. I saw it this morning w/the new Beagle - he is 3 y/o and had not been well cared for, thus ending up at the Humane Society who relinquished him to me after a month of no adoption :(. What a sweetie. So my vote, when you all are ready, is for a rescue dog. I have 11 right now - but I think shipping one to you would be a bit much. I believe owners and dogs need to choose their own companions - and Wilf, rug surfer YEAH, will be choosy after his years with his beloved brother.

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  10. This post had my tearing up. I know all too well the happiness felt with you see the sadness lifting from the ♥ of your best friend. Hoping that this pattern continues and that there will be many, many more rug surfing events in your household!

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  11. So good to hear that Wilf is 'getting back to normal'. Now, for the new puppy!!!

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  12. I'm smiling. (And I completely understand about gadgets, totally addicting). Give that goofy boy lots of hugs and kisses!

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  13. So happy that Wilf is playing again. The picture of the sunset is beautiful.

    Woofs and Licks,
    Maggie Mae

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  14. Sometimes when our Barkalots take their name too seriously, I ask my husband to have a man-to-man talk with them. He talks in low tones. They cock their heads attentively, as if to grasp the meaning of his every word. They sigh. They shake. And we all feel better - until the UPS truck comes rumbling down the street again and life returns to normal.

    I'm sure Wilf appreciated your mano a mano conversation -- and it sounds as though he is on the way back to Wilfness.

    (Continuing to experience the parallel airport universe more often than my husband and I care to think about -- no comment!!!)

    xx Joan and Jake and Just Harry (who spent the day yesterday barking loudly at a moving truck that had the audacity to park its rear end just to the edge of our property.)

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  15. Just imagine the inspection that would have gone on if you had some of those gadgets! I admit, I'd have been drawn into that shop and something that I absolutely do not need would have gone home with me!

    I'm glad to hear that Wilf had a good romp! Does this mean you're not looking for another companion for him anymore? Bunny certainly keeps Lilac and Blueberry young.

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  16. I believe that mano-a-mano in quiet tones and just the relaxed feeling of the twilight has started the healing. Nice to hear Wild has started to play again!

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  17. What a great day - Wilf, Digby will not let you hurt for long he'll bring what's needed when the time is right. He'll always be protecting his family and loving you with all his heart.

    XXoooXXoooXXoooXXx

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  18. I'm glad that Wilf is starting to get back to his old self again.

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

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  19. so glad that you and Wilf had that talk together. did you make a decision? at least he seems to be more accepting of the situation now.

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  20. Well, I have never personally been on a plane but my mom says that what you said about plane time is totally and completely the truth!

    It's good you had a little talk with Wilf. I can assure you that even though we may not ALWAYS understand your words, we understand your meaning. And plus, I thinks maybe Wilf needed to know that YOU were going to be okay, too. And that it was okay to play again.

    Wiggles & Wags,
    Mayzie

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  21. Sending lotsaluv to you all!

    ...a really beautiful sunset...but it could also be a sunrise! :)

    MAXMOM IN SA

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  22. Good for Wilf! It sounds like he totally understood your talk. I bet in a short time he'll definitely want another dog beside him to share new adventures with.

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  23. Great to hear that Wilf is perking up...

    And, yes...We have definately experienced the Parallel Airport Universe...Strange, indeed...

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  24. So glad to hear that Wilf was able to enjoy himself again! And that he seems to have taken your words to heart. :)

    Would you be able to take him along to meet either a potential puppy or a rescue dog, to let him help you "pick out" someone he would like to be friends with? With the dogs I've rescued over the years, some got along better with each other than others, but I never gave them a choice in the matter. My husband and I recently adopted a dog, and if or when we are able to add to the "pack," we will let Mitzi decide. She's very particular about who she wants to make friends with at the dog park, so we would want to make sure she would be able to get along with a new addition.

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  25. What a wonderful post - so how do you interpret the yawn and rolling on his back?

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  26. It's got to be very hard on Wilf. It's so good he has you to help him get through this, and vice versa. I know you'll figure out which option you want to go with between you and it'll be the right choice.

    wags, Lola

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  27. Hi Wilf - this made us feel great joy, we are so happy that you felt able to play for a little while again. So, will it be a puppy or an older doggie - hmmm, we can't wait to find out what you have decided upon! Schnauzer snuggles - JD and Max.

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  28. Airports have become strange places to be, it seems. (That store does sound fascinating tho!)
    Glad to hear Wilf was rugsurfing. Brings a smile. I still think y'all will do whatever you think best in time and that will be the best for the family. Another intensely personal decision .
    Hugs to all of you,
    Jamie and the Texas sundogs
    ps I loved the pic of the sunset. Beautiful.

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  29. How nice Wilf sensed woo were ready to play again!

    Thanks fur the beaWOOtiful sky shot!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  30. In early 2005 we had lost two dogs close together and had gotten two puppies. My remaining dog, who had survived all the losses with us, and I were sitting on the bed looking out at our canyon. I said, "Allie, we've had a 60% turnover in our dog family and you need to be the alpha now." She looked up at me, appearing to totally comprehend my thoughts and feelings, and was, from that point on the quintessential alpha to the puppies. She was an amazing girl. (We lost her in September in sort of a Digby type way and recently have rescued a new girl :-))

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  31. Glad Wilf feels a little more like playing.. Hugs GJ xx

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  32. You've got the airport thing right. Our Alpha spends her time looking for the worst souviner possible. So far, our own country's contribution, a kangaroo scrotum change purse is right up there. The Gadget shop sounds like a good time waster.

    Happy to hear Wilf is recovering. We always get a younger dog with the older one--helps in training.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  33. Reading about Wilf makes me cry. Digby went through a lot but Wilf is the one left behind. I hope he'll be able to enjoy life again now.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  34. isn't that the truth about airport time! the other thing that i love is when you're in a hurry, inevitably, you get selected for the "extra special" screening. lol.
    your picture of the sunset is gorgeous. i'm glad that you got to enjoy the view and have a good heart-to-heart with wilf. it sounds like both of you are on the mend.

    the booker man and asa's mama

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  35. Sounds like you two talked things through in a way Wilf understood.

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  36. Oh my....that angel Wilf....you all need a little time to heal........take your time...you will know when to being again!
    Hugz, Nancy & G-dog

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