Happy Ninth Birthday, Olive

I am told that Olive was born on August 1, 2011. That makes her nine years old today. Happy birthday, Olive. I might have gone out and picked up a doggy cake for her, but with the covid crisis I am reluctant to go out anywhere other than walking my dog. 

Even grocery shopping is something I do reluctantly, though I always wear a mask and try to keep a distance from anyone else in the store. I have no choice when it comes to wearing a mask, as Connecticut state law requires it and there are employees at the store entrance making sure everyone has one.

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I did make a trip down to the seashore down in southeastern Connecticut to meet a friend at a popular casual seafood restaurant with a large outdoor deck and view of the water. Diners have to order their dinner and pay at a window, take a number, then head upstairs to the deck and select a table with a green seashell on it. A red shell means that the table has been used and staff has not disinfected it yet. Staff brings the food out to the tables with the particular order’s number.

I chose to do this on a Thursday figuring that the place would be less crowded than on a Friday. I dropped Olive off at Candlewick for a bath and professional grooming then headed down. I had fish & chips while my friend had lobster tacos. It was a nice getaway; Olive got her bath and some time to play with other dogs, something she typically did once a week before the covid crisis. That was the first eating out for me since March. I went straight back to Candlewick after my seafood lunch and picked up a fresh-smelling dog. She showed her appreciation for the bath when we got home by rolling in the grass the first chance she got. Well, no one ever said having a border collie would be easy.

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My friends Kathryn and Mark have a corgi mix named Archie that gets along with Olive splendidly. Recently Kathryn send me a photo of the first time the two met. They were immediately old friends and curled up together in the back of Kathryn's car.

Olive and Archie, friends from the start.

Recently Archie had some surgery. I understand he is recovering well, but Olive sent and still sends her get well wishes and virtual tail wags.

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A fellow border collie person sent me a video of dogs beating the heat. There are some border collies shown near the end, though the video not exclusively border collies. I found it amusing.

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Olive does not like loud noises and often hides under my computer desk or the corner of my living room when there is thunder or July fireworks. While noise does not bother me, we humans have our own issues.

Move over, Olive.