Headroom

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Although my crib is pretty far off the road, when we do leave our humble abode, there is quite a bit of country traffic zipping here and there. Urban dogs might scoff at my definition of “quite a bit” because what that really looks like is three or four cars driving by every few minutes followed by a milk truck or camping trailer. Three or four cars a minute followed by a milk truck or camping trailer at top speed, as you know, can all add up to a potential mishap for any creature—great or small—who wants to walk to the beat of his or her own drum.  Unfortunately, even out here in the boonies, everyone believes themselves to be in a hurry, so when they do go by, they go by with reckless abandon and little regard for giant puppies attempting to perambulate a leisurely mile. (side bar: slow down!)

The reason i begin with these harrowing high speed hecklers is to explain why when we venture out for our daily walk, we must first  jump in the robin egg (aka mom’s car) and drive either to town or to the trail. Yes, i do see the irony of being a country dog who has to drive somewhere for a country walk. And yes, i can, of course, wander my own kingdom (see Wanderlust for more detail), but that particular option does not necessarily offer the distance or the interaction with fellow earth dwellers, and i do love to meet my fellow earth dwellers.  Rain or shine, sleet or snow, once a day we take to the road to take to the road.

Into the robin egg and off on another adventure!  

Life is a highway, so as we move on down, move on down the road, i enjoy the opportunity to hang my head out the window or stick my noggin out the sunroof.  

Like Rainman, mom is an excellent driver who always obeys the speed limit, so i get to monitor the passing currents for hundreds of smells zipping by at up to fifty miles an hour. Ahhh!

Not only do i get to breathe in the bountiful bouquet of aromas in the air, i also get to open my eyes wide, flare out my lips, and flap my enormous ears as the wind carries me away and the robin egg propels us forward.  

Mom says they make special goggles for dogs, and i am hoping to get a pair soon. I am certain i will be the coolest dog on the street when we cruise by.  I’m not sure, but i must look pretty handsome already because people always turn, point and stare at our dangling-dog caravan. Seriously, go check out my youtube page and take a look at the spectacle that is me.

Anywho…mom is pretty chill about keeping the windows down or the sunroof open regardless of the temperature because she knows how much these trips mean to me.  I love a nice cold day of air-surfing, but i also recognize it is not as pleasant for my non-furry family. When it is arctic out or raining cats and dogs, she might keep the windows rolled up and the sunroof shut tight.  It is all for the greater good. On those days, i look and feel like a Saint Bernard sitting in a Chihuahua-sized compartment…especially if Molly is with us too. The robin egg does not offer a ton of headroom.

And….there’s the rub.

Literally.

The robin egg is not a huge car, and i am a giant puppy.  

Because i am a dog…and i love life…and i am perfectly imperfect, i also tend to get excited at the onset of an outing.  Yes, i could patiently relax on my blanket in the back, but that just isn’t my style and you would be disappointed if you saw me.  So, before we reach our destination, i like to caress my cranium into the light gray fabric of the car’s interior. As we get closer to our goal, i like to polish many places with pieces of my pelage. When we are about to park, i like to layer the lining with lots of lint. Just prior to jumping out, i like to make many marks with my magnificent mane.  And then the moment is upon us and the walk has begun.

I may have mentioned my walk time shenanigans in an earlier post or two or three…ha ha hee hee…but to recap they go a little like this:  run, walk, dodge, roll, swim, chase, stop, sniff, sprint, stroll, flop, flip, gallop, dash, dart, drop, amble, canter, spring and spurt…and swim…even if there is no truly discernible body of water, swim…swim in a puddle, swim in the mud, swim in the fresh morning dew.  In a nutshell, i like to get dirty, and where i go, my dirt goes too.

Back to the robin egg.

I am a lucky dog because i get to go for a walk every day, and when we venture out for our daily walk, we must first  jump in the robin egg and drive either to town or to the trail.

The robin egg does not offer a ton of headroom, but whatever room there is is mine. I like to get dirty, and where i go, my dirt goes too.

Can you say resale value?

Life is not always a one-size-fits-all, and chances are you won’t get through it without picking up a bit of muck.  Sometimes we have to squeeze ourselves in where it seems like we cannot fit. Sometimes we need to puff ourselves out to fill a space that may look too big.  Sometimes the windows roll up and the sunroof shuts tight, but those are the moments to live for and shine. Don’t be afraid and don’t change who you are…wear your size like a warrior…headroom or not…and give the world your best smudge because the space you make is all that you have got.

i’m a dog, i love life, and i have flaws.  i’m perfect. imperfect. Just. Like. You.