Ruby Tuesday: Fritz

Hours before sunrise, I woke up to an unknown sound---a burp, a yawn, or a heave. As I peered through half-closed eyes, I could hear the gentle buzz of the radio…then I hear Fritz, sprawled at the foot of my bed, make a satisfied sigh and was silent again. Or maybe I mistook the sound. Maybe what I heard were Fritz’ rapid eye movements, murmurs from his own deep secret dreams. And not only dreams---aspirations. Dreams of seeing the ocean. Of meeting his soul mate. Puppies. Grand-puppies. Great-grand-puppies.

Fritz turns 17 months on Christmas day. A bundle of fur and gentle eyes, wet kisses and wagging tail, and a limp that looks like a swagger. Early this year, I thought he wouldn’t see the light of day after being sick for weeks. And two Sundays ago, he broke free from his collar as we were about to cross a busy street. My heart dropped to my feet, my blood went cold and my initial reaction was to run after him. But I realized it might scare him, and he would panic and run towards the on coming traffic. So I called his name calmly while he ran home...he was lounging at his favorite spot on the foot of the stairs when I walked through the door. I hugged him tight.

And there he was, sighing in his sleep, no worries, not afraid of death. Not even of adulthood.

I scratched his head---he looked up to me, hugged his red pillow, stretched and I felt downright hopeful. This morning, as I watched the light creep into my room, I saw sunbursts of joy and sorrow.

It's humming in my universe, and so is Fritz. Someday, he will see the ocean and his puppies. I'll make it happen.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday.