J. Dudley Gilbert's View of the Okoboji Writers' and Songwriters' Retreat
...he has his own perspective
My humans introduce me to so many things. Some dogs lie around all day doing the same thing every minute: eating, sleeping, eating, sleeping. There have been a few games of catch and a walk around the block, but nothing unusual.
Not MY humans! We sleep in lots of different places, and my stuff goes from one ‘Dudley’s House’ to another as if that is normal.
Last week was the most outrageous example of our family chaos.
On September 22, my humans left me in the bathroom for three hours. It was not too bad, as lock-ups go. Thankfully, they don’t usually abandon me for very long.
The following day, I went with them to a big white tent in the woods and was plunged into the midst of 300 people, almost all of whom seemed to like me a lot! Some of them read this column. And they tell me they like it!
One of my new besties has the same name as my human! She loves me, and I love her! She walked me all around the woods and down to the lake. Otherwise, I would be crying and yowling at my she-human when she stood before all those people talking.
It was exhausting to have humans who all smelled different petting me. My she-human bought a new crate, which caused me some anxiety. I’m still not wild about being in a crate, but after all those conversations around that big white tent and all over the grounds of a big giant dog park (editors note: Lakeside Labs is not a dog park), my introvert required some attention.
So, when my she-human carried me into the crate, I just curled in a ball in my blanket and went to sleep. We were both relieved by this outcome.
From top left to right: I’m licking Hunter Gillum, owner of Beaverdale Books. Justin Roberts sings songs I like, and my she-human is taking pictures of two other great singers, the Weary Ramblers. Bottom row: me, me, and me.
Wow! Last week, we brought in three more paid subscribers, which means more support for the Iowa Animal Rescue League. They have many lovely dogs, cats, and kittens who need care and homes. Want to see pictures of adoptable dogs?
https://www.arl-iowa.org/adopt/find-a-pet/pet-list/dog/
The Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat was held September 22-25. Three hundred people came from around the world to talk about many aspects of writing. I didn’t get to speak, though.
I didn’t speak a lot either, Dudley, but I listened well, learned a lot, and am grateful.
P.S. You and I met at the book store.
I, love you J dudley. missed you last week