My first day shift in nearly four months starts in two hours.
I didn’t sleep and was awake just after 3am and 5 am
At half five I took the girls and Albert for a walk in the frost
A group of four badgers were spinning in the lane outside Trendy Carol’s and for a moment at each ends of the dark lane we faced each other off before the badgers scattered like fat leaves...Mary yapped and Albert arched golden eyed as they fled.
Dorothy hugged my calf, frightened as always minutes after the encounter.
I settled the animals down on the kitchen reading chair as I made my breakfast, and even Albert was nearby rubbing his face on the chair back.
I’ve just realised .....I miss saying goodbye to a human before I go to work.
Can you perhaps work on a 'ritual farewell' to the animals - I know it's not the same, but they love you, and they will be waiting eagerly/anxiously for you at the end of your day. I oldie who is often with us , when I get her a treat she knows I'm going and she isn't coming with me. I hope your day shift goes well. I suppose it must be quite different to night shift - visiting families, specialists etc to contend with - am I right?
ReplyDeleteI say good bye to the cats when I go out, and hello when I return. One responds appropriately and appears to be delighted to see me when I return..... The other just goes... meh and ignores me! I live a 'balanced' life😁 but yes to hello and good bye to the animals
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Have a good day. Hate it when you cant sleep. Happy new year
ReplyDeleteAnd ‘hello’ when you come in... and ‘goodnight and good morning’.... such little yet huge things eh?..X
ReplyDeleteYes and yes and yes x
DeleteMary, Dottie and Albert rightly value you so much you can rest assured they'll NEVER desert you, bless all their four paws - which is more than can be said for fickle human beings.
ReplyDeleteAt least days will be easier on the system. By the way, Uncle Vanya is on BBC4 tonight, the Toby Jones film of the play.
ReplyDeleteLovely, if unsettling for the dogs to see four badgers. Yes, it's hard living without another human when you're not by nature a solitary person... xx
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean John - the feeling never goes. I miss the hand-hold before he got out of bed in a morning. Sometimes I stretch my hand out for it before I remember. The feeling doesn;t go but do try to remember that at least you have had it - and not everyone has been so lucky. Take care dear heart.
ReplyDeleteJust as I am about to go out of the door I have to quickly check that the cats are settled and have been fed. Then I call cheerio, see you later, as I leave.
ReplyDeleteThose small comforts are difficult to forget.
ReplyDeleteLovely descriptive piece of writing. Sometimes I have a conversation with Alexa and she hopes I am having a nice day.......
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to comment, so I'll just wish you and yours a very happy, safe and better New Year. Ro xx
ReplyDelete'Fat leaves' ... lovely post. Thanx
ReplyDeleteMy DH never forgets to say good-bye or hello to our dog, but is known for frequently NOT doing the same for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI know it is no consolation, but there are thousands of people in your situation right now. Remember, Spring is coming.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful writing. The hardest part for me, when J went away to teach for the semester, was coming home to an empty house.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was going out and my dogs had to stay home I found it very difficult but I ignored them as I was leaving rather than fuss and apologise x
ReplyDeleteBye, John, have a good day at work! See you later!
ReplyDeleteSince my husband died two years ago, I haven't had anyone to say goodbye to also. But I always tell my little dog and chubby cat where I'm going and ask them to "guard the house" until I get back.
ReplyDeleteI also tell my cat to 'guard the house'!
DeleteI tell my boy that "mama's off to the Kibble Factory".
DeleteBut you've said goodbye to us, and that counts! I've never seen a badger in all my time in England.
ReplyDeleteI read a article about the passage of time and dogs perspective of time. While I always said good bye I love you, guard the home and I gave them a cookie. I added I will be back in 5 minutes. The kids used to crack up at that but it always made us ALL feel better. Still do it today with every new group of gud dugs. Always a cookie when we get back.
ReplyDeletecheers xx
Big hugs from afar and they'd be real if I wasn't an ocean and a couple of latitudes away.
ReplyDeleteHope this day shift is a pleasure. Will you drive home in daylight?
More hugs!
I always talk to the dogs even more so when I'm alone and say 'watch the house' as I leave, then the dogs know I will going without them but will be back soon. Then when I get back I enthusiastically thank them and they each get a gravy bone ... I think they like me going out!!
ReplyDeleteWe don’t always say hello and goodbye to each other but we do make a big deal of saying hello and goodbye to our pets.
ReplyDeleteYou write so well John. Your book will be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI always say goodbye to my cats and my female cat, Sophie gets upset if I don't tell her goodbye. When I return home I give both cats love and they show their happiness at my return. There is something quite special about the unconditional love we get from our pets.
Hello and bye for now. From me to you. Virtual is not the same but will do for now. You never know what changes will come. Just be open for anything...
ReplyDeleteBadgers! How terrifying. Glad all home safe. Hope you find the energy for your day. Kiss your kids good-bye when you leave for work. They truly appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me that I saw a fellow walking his harnessed cat on the trail the other day.
ReplyDelete