K9 reality.

There was a dog. A dog I've never met, and until yesterday didn't know existed. This dog made me smile yesterday bigger than I've smiled in a long time. Then that same dog made me cry more than I've cried since 2003. I cried huge tears. Big ones. Maybe it's the colors, maybe it's the fact that I'm letting myself feel again.

So, how does such a thing happen? Why this dog? Why this time? Who knows. It happened. His name is Joop. Search Flickr You'll see a truly remarkable, photogenic, dynamic dog. A dog that many have been enjoying the pleasure of for a long time. A dog who's days are numbered and he probably doesn't even know it. Doesn't even care. Wants to enjoy everyday with his humans. We could learn a lot from dogs.


Rusty.

And now, for the honeymoon.

So, right. Partner's wedding was yesterday. At the beach. Couldn't have been nicer. Beautiful. 75 and Sunny, gentle breeze. Big, rocky structure in the background. Right. Idyllic. (That word is underused in print, overused in speech).

The vows were great. Very personalized. Person performing the ceremony was a friend of bride (and groom, I guess). She did fantastic, despite some pre-ceremony jitters and crankiness.
My role was good. Make sure the groom shows up. Sure, piece of cake. He's a responsible guy. Well. I had to say some stuff too. So, I found something appropriate. Appropriate to say at a wedding of Partner on the beach on idyllic day during ceremony by hippie-ish newly ordained friend of the bride. Right. Tall order for some fool like me.

SLPTG and I had our share of stress this weekend. Since Partner was out of town, I had K9 detail. Saturday am, pm, Sunday am, pm, Monday am. Yeah. He's a really nice guy and would do it for me in a heartbeat. Otherwise I'd tell anyone else to go fuck themselves.

SLPTG decided we were getting together for a bit on Sat am, afternoon, then again for the evening. It meant a lot of driving for me, but, sure whatever. She'd do it for me, right? Right? Hello. Anyone listening. Umm. not sure.

So, we were late arriving to our pre-designated ceremony meeting time on Sunday, because, well SLPTG has no concept of time. Plus she has this idea that nothing will ever go wrong and make her late for anything. Consequently, she budgets no time into plans to account for "stuff" to happen. Consequently, she's always late. Consequently, I'm always late. Could I use consequently again?

Everything was ok, though. Mucho apologies for being late, practice the thingy, calm newly ordained friend down enough to do the ceremony (I never truly respected the power of Rum & Coke before this day). Groom needed much of the same. Me. Well, wasn't my ceremony. So, let it roll. I'm going home without signing those papers. I know what they mean, and I know what they cost.

-Rusty.