It was March 25, 2015, that my friends Nanne and Laurie came
to stay for the night on their way to a wool festival and brought with them a 3½
year old female border collie named Olive. I was asked to “foster” Olive for
one month or so. Well, a year later Olive is an integral part of my life.
During an unusually mild winter we settled into a routine.
She gets me up each morning just about the time my alarm goes off. It’s uncanny
how she seems to be able to tell time. She hops on the bed and demands a belly
rub; in exchange I get a Border collie kiss. I get up, toss her ball, get
dressed, straighten out the bed, and take her for a short walk. We get home, I
give her breakfast and fresh water, then make my own breakfast and coffee. I
finish cleaning up, give her a brushing, and head downstairs to practice fiddle
in my finished basement. She naps in the living room above my practice area. We
then take another walk, I try to get a few things accomplished, some more
fiddle practice, then take her for her late morning walk, then we have lunch—a sandwich
and apple for me, a dental stick for her. Another walk and some playtime out
back tossing the foam rubber saucer, then some more fiddle practice. I try to
get a few more things done, another walk, more fiddle practice, take Olive for
her late afternoon walk, get her supper and fresh water, and fix my own supper.
After cleaning up I take her for her 7:00 walk. Brush my teeth, watch some TV, and
take her for her 9:00 walk, shower, and then turn in after she pesters me to
toss her ball. Lately she seems to understand that she should go to her own bed
when I say “good dog, but it’s time to turn in”. That’s currently our typical
day.
In short, a townhouse style condominium has been transformed
into a home. She tracks in leaves and grass, there is dog hair everywhere, she barks
at odd times, sometimes in the middle of the night for no discernable reason, and
I wouldn’t want anything any other way.
Taking on a dog was a huge commitment. I have no regrets.
Happy anniversary, Olive.
