Guinness Here Again

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Let’s talk about relationships.  Because this little trip has been an evolution for all three of us.

Think about it: from the time I was 12 weeks old, all I knew was Rod.  He and I were inseparable.  For the next seven months, we spent all our time outdoors, in the woods and streams around Hershey’s Mill, building a remarkable level of trust and communication.  He trained me and loved me.

And then we traveled together from Maine to Key West.  Just the two of us.  Wow.

Now Lynn is in our lives, and she is wonderful.  She loves me, feeds me, and I’m starting to allow her to walk me.  There was a time when I wouldn’t leave Rod’s side, and that is slowly changing.

I spend a lot of time with the two of them now; because I am a Service Dog, they take me with them everywhere.  So I get to listen to them interact, and it’s clear to me that I’m dealing now with two strong personalities – two strong people who have decided to test a hypothesis: that two strong people can be happier together than apart.

I know that Rod is independent. Lynn thinks that there is a challenge because Rod was in a single committed relationship for so long – 56 years. But it seems to me that he has kind of always done things HIS way. 

Lynn, is independent, as well.  She has managed her own life for her entire life.  Raising two children.  Never with a man as a significant factor.  She has always done things HER way.

So, these are two really strong, but really decent people, and they are trying to learn how to be each other’s best friend.  And they are trying to do it on a 5-week trip.  In 260 square feet of space.  Yikes.  So of course there’s some friction from time to time, but they always talk it out.  

They probably think I don’t know what they’re saying, but I get it.

And I hope they continue to work things out, because I like what I’m seeing.  I see something gelling.

And that makes me feel safe, because I know they are kind.  I see it in the way they treat me and the way they treat each other.  I am loved.