Twenty-five ABC Blocks

 

In all the years we knew Vanessa, she had two dogs: a Scottie named Lassie, and a westie named Scottie. When one would pass, it would be replaced with a similar dog with a hand-me-down name. All her pups were well-behaved (for terriers) and well-loved. Early in March 2017, Vanessa brought the newest Scottie for me to see. Little Lassie was eight weeks old; a fluffy handful of energy with needle-sharp teeth. She attacked my sofa cushions, my quilt and my fingers. And she won my heart. Lassie is eight today. That’s late-forties to sixties in dog years. She’s blind in one eye and more likely to be napping in the sunshine than when she was a little pup. But she still loves to do “zoomies” the entire length of the house, and she still “trees” the cat on our banister. Maybe, when Lassie passes, we should get another Scottie – and name her Lassie.