I look at Jill, with her sparkling
eyes, I’m star struck. Shaking like a puppy wanting to be pet. After asking her
to join me for dinner, I anxiously await her answer. My heart beats faster and faster, like a
locomotive climbing an infinite hill. Right here in the doggie park I await my
future dream and hang onto every second with anticipation. My hands sweat and shake as my very soul begs
to be fulfilled. Drowning in excitement and fear of refusal, my mind and body impatiently
await her answer.
I’m just starring at her like an adolescent
while her response is taking eons. My hands are becoming clammy. Good grief,
I’m acting like a teenager, wildly out of control and can feel my heart beating
inside my chest. Trying to calm down, I dig deep, take a breath and relax, I
tell myself, with authority and praying I don’t look like a fool as she is
right in front of me.
Our huge dogs suddenly circle her,
wanting her attention. They distract her. I don’t need that right now, but they’re
so cute. She reaches her hands down to pet both ‘Puddles’ and ‘Sweet Pea’,
looks up at me and says, “Dinner sounds great.”
My release of air could blow down a
building. I had held my breath waiting for her response. I’m acting like I’m too
young to shave and have pimples. E-gad.
We put the leashes on our dogs and
head for the gate leading out of the dog park.
Walking slowly, we visit along the
way holding hands. I listen to her talking with no pretense and realize how fun
it is to be in her company. “This is a quiet evening. There aren’t any sports
games tonight so there’s a minimal crowd milling around.”
“This is a pretty neighborhood. The
little shops are favorites for me. I buy personal gifts and cards in that shop
across the street. I’ve never found anyone that isn’t dog friendly.”
“I’ve shopped at the local veggie
stand often and know what you mean. Happy neighborhood, happy life. I think we
should make a poster.” I squeeze her hand and let out a little laugh.
In no time we are at the designated
dog friendly restaurant “MUTTS AND MUNCHIES”. Our babies are behaving while
constrained on their leashes. They can smell the good food surrounding us and
are wiggling, licking their lips in anticipation. They look up at us longingly.
“Settle down, you furry twosome, behave
yourselves.” I beg to them.
“This seems to be a popular place. The
music is canned, but sounds good. I like it.”
We are welcomed by a friendly
waitress .“Would you like to have a seat at a table outside?”
“Yes, that’s perfect.”
“This patio is lovely, I like the artistic
pine design.”
We are seated at the back corner. “This is
perfect, thank you.”
“Look, the dogs have their own space next to
our table. Look at the lovely view of the sunset.”
“It’s a perfect picture.”
We read our menus and order fish and chips
along with a local brew, then pick out a special diet for our babies, of beef,
rice and carrots pressed into a ‘doggie’ shaped patty. “How cute.”
“What a unique little restaurant.
I’m so glad we’ve discovered it.” The big barking babies each get two patties.
We add two doggie chewie bones for their dessert. Lucky dogs.
Both our dinner and the doggies are
brought to our table. The dogs smell the food and wiggle their tails in
anticipation. Both are begging.
“Oooooh, goodies await. Who’s
hungry?”
They whine a sound of desire for
food and are treated to the best dinner they could want. Of course any food
seems to be favorite food for both of them, naturally. Dogs are not
discriminating.
We begin eating as well. “This coated
halibut is done to perfection and our fries are crispy and delicious. I’m so
glad I ordered this.”
“Me too. They coat the fries in
something tasty, too. Look at the poochies. They are eating fast and furious.”
“Food competition seems to be
taking over their polite eating habits. I don’t know if you are aware of this,
but I’m partners with your veterinarian. I’m a vet, too. I think I’ve been in
the operating room or office every visit you’ve made but have seen your name. I’ve
always teased Doctor Shephard about having that name in this business. Have you noticed the two parrots in the
office?”
“Yes, they are funny to watch and
even more entertaining to listen to.”
“I’ll tell you how our little ‘Flirty
Gertie’ got her partner. She still
welcomes everyone with, ‘Hello there, handsome. Kiss me.’ One day a woman came in with a male, ‘Dirty
Birdie’ who immediately answered with, ‘I’m ready, baby. Here I come.’ Both squawked,
screamed and jumped up and down until we brought them together, putting him on
the big cage next to her.” We found that
they dance to all the music and even sing together. We had to buy him. They
belong together and are hilarious.” She added, “What do you do for a living?”
Her eyes are bright as she looks at me.
“I study the development of
earthworms. It figures into the health of all life on earth and is too simple a
title to look important. It actually is vital that we record their development,
generation after generation. They aren’t able to keep off a fish line on their
own yet, though. Don’t tell anybody, but they aren’t too smart. So survival decisions
are not in their wheelhouse.” I smile. “You might say, my job is down to earth.”
She looked at me without moving for
a moment. “WORMS? Really?”
And turned her head to think about it.
I further explained the importance of
my studies.
“I’ve never thought of the benefits
of healthy worms, knowing how our environment plays a roll in their overall
health, eventually onto us.”
We choose some ice cream and share
it with the two furry beggars that are looking up at us. Oh, yes. Life is good
for our baby doggies.
We walk arm in arm as we reach her
front door. She looks up into my eyes, leans her head into my chin and slowly
lifts her lips to mine. My arms are around her and I unknowingly tangle the
leashes. We have our first kiss and the world explodes. My body tingles. I
never imagined such wonderful emotion. This kiss is completely different from
any other I’ve experienced in my life. I hug her tighter, rub my hand up and
down her spine. She has leaned her body against mine. Then I realize I must
unwrap the dogs’ leashes or we might be pulled to the ground. We didn’t pay
attention to getting wrapped closer and closer becoming tighter and tighter together
because of the tangled leashes. The doggies have been patient. Actually, now staring
up at us pleading for their freedom. I concentrate on freeing the knots on the
leashes and step back. The dogs lean into each other like us. So cute. “Jill,
my sweetheart. You have awakened my heart and body. You are amazing.”
“You are truly special. Hummmm.”
She makes such a sweet murmuring sound.
We add a few more slow kisses before
going in for a nightcap. The two dogs romp all over the house as ‘Puddles’
discovers the new digs. Each bring toys
to our feet. We throw them and laugh. “I love the way the dogs are at home,
happy and playful. ‘Puddles’ follows ‘Sweet Pea’ as if she is showing him
around the house to get him familiar.”
“I’ve noticed how they have watched
us, not interrupting us. I think they are happy with our being together.”
“I do too, your home has warm
colors and comfortable furniture. It’s
lovely.”
I hold her close, kiss her again and
massage her back. She melts with my touch. We have a glass of wine while our
dogs stop romping and lay down nestled together and sleep. We continue to kiss,
exploring each other with abandon. We become
aware of our hunger and relish the fondling, cuddling and embracing as I notice
the power of her perfume, violets, vanilla and sage fills the air mingling with
my aftershave. We are much more than smitten.
She feels warm and smooth under my hands. My nose is in heaven, too.
As days turn into weeks, we fall
into a comfortable routine.
We spend every day possible for the
next few months together and build a pleasant routine. Go to the Park, enjoy
dinner, and always playing with our pets.
Then to her home to further discover our desire for one another.
After a few months something changes.
I look into the reflection in her eyes,
seeing the fire flickering from her fireplace, I gain strength enough to ask,
“I’m ready to step things up, Jill. I’m in love with you and want to marry you.”
She stopped petting the two babies.
My heart goes to my mouth, and I
begin to sweat. I watch her with fear of rejection. To wait is misery. Seconds are
hours….then suddenly she smiles a wide happy smile, jumps into my lap, hugs and
kisses me wildly, “I love you too. And yes, I want to marry you.” We continue our hugging, and kissing while holding
each other with wild eagerness. We discover our growing longings in an
explosive contact and play with our magnificent discoveries of each other. So
begins our real love story.
This is the start of a new and
exciting chapter in our lives.