Memories of Louie

As Louie got very old, he got pretty deaf, mostly in one ear, so when you called to him from his right side, he would turn to his left see who was calling him. It was funny the first few times, but after a while it was just sad and counterproductive. You had to go grab him at dinnertime and lead him to the kitchen.

His sight also suffered, so he could only really see things right in front of his nose. Also mostly sad, but at least one time funny. You be the judge.

One night several months ago I was in the kitchen fixing dinner. Was it Chateaubriand, or Trout Almondine? I cannot recall. Anyway I decided to give the dogs a mini Milk Bone. They're smaller than regular Milk Bones, and multicolored, and at least look tasty, though I've never tried one. Elliot was in the kitchen, so I just handed him his, but he doesn't like them very much, so I think he just let it sit there, trying his hardest to look pathetic. He's just a little off. Louie, on the other hand, was resting comfortably in the living room, as was his wont, just lying face down on the carpet, sleeping, dreaming I hope of running in grassy fields. I called his name and he looked up, but couldn't really see me due to his blindness, nor could he tell where I was calling from. Lazy and a little cruel, I decided just to toss his Milk Bone to him.

Well I was on my game this evening because it landed right between his paws, right under his nose. Strike one! He didn't see it coming, but he sure heard it land on the rug, and startled he looked down and saw it, with -- I swear -- look of surprise on his face. I suddenly got a very clear view into his doggy mind. As he sniffed it, grabbed it, and happily bit down with a crunch, I realized exactly what he was thinking. A dog biscuit just magically appeared in front of me! Oh benevolent dog Gods above, what have I done to deserve this? Usually, I must remain alert for when my master goes into the dog biscuit closet, but this one just incorporated out of thin air right in front of me. What alchemy is this! Actually, who cares, may I have another?

Now he didn't actually look to the heavens, but I know he was thinking this, and I am pretty sure that he wondered for the rest of his life why it never happened again.