LargeMarge
Well-known member
Inside our tiny ExpeditionVehicle, we live among several dogs.
Traveling, on the move, at least one is in the cab... acting as 'navigator' to keep us informed of potential dog-parks and those generic buffets known collectively as 'pet-smart'.
.
I am utterly unable -- and probably unqualified -- to attempt an existence without some form of canine supervision.
.
To express my experiences, here is a section of my latest manuscript... working-title 'SLOW DAY AT THE OFFICE'.
Time -- a few years post-global economic collapse.
Protagonist -- Hadley, gruff-but-lovable billionaire.
Setting for this scene -- aboard one of Hadley's fleet of retired ferries, in one classroom, at the close of an orientation for new crew, experienced members of the Teams standing-by to assist.
.
.
[open quote]
He breathed deep, let it out slowly as he half-smiled at an old memory. Quietly, almost a whisper, he said "How many are familiar with the Rhodesian proverb 'no hills without graves, no valley without shadows'? We all leave something. Teams, together, we focus on making this a better place."
.
Boosting his public-speaking dynamics to 'own' the room, his voice boomed "I used to have a family. Now, I have the Teams, and I care for each one of them. And they return this with their loyalty. Loyalty for caring. I suppose, for most folks, that would be good enough."
.
He breathed deep again as he gazed into the soft brown eyes of the old red dog sitting at his side.
.
"And yet... I think a lot about my reasons for spending so much of my time alone with dogs, and the reasons I feel empty without them. Yes, dogs are a lot of work. So, why do I do it? The answer is simple... I'm broke, not good with people. For some reason I don't understand, I'm barely able to connect deep and intimate. For example, I experienced many failed romantic relationships. Although I try to be caring and giving, most of my relationships self-terminate early-on. I try, but never had long-term deep relationships with either men or women. For another example, I worked all my life, and before this mess, I rarely spent time with anybody other than the Teams. I'm just not a people-person. But, I am a dog-person. Dogs offer me something other than I find in most people."
He smiled. "Most people outside this room, that is."
A few people chuckled at Hadley's smile.
"And for some strange reason, meeting the constant needs of a dog is not a problem for me. Instead, it brings me joy."
.
He turned serious for a moment.
"Folks, I believe the need to sacrifice and care for others is just as basic a human need as air and water and food and shelter. Without them, we wither and die. Any time we fail to love and sacrifice, we may not die physically, but we still die on the inside, in our hearts and spirits. So, because I am not so good with people one-on-one, I express my caring and sacrifice to the Teams, mostly by mentoring and suggestions, and it usually doesn't become physical. The time I spend with the Teams, I'm able to do it short-term... as long as I get enough alone-time. Like I said, I'm broke."
.
Breathing deeply quietly, he gazed at the ceiling a long time, then mumbled something about going for a walk.
.
At the rear entry to the main deck, Hadley donned his PFD and activated its transponder, then mounted a leash and canine-PFD to the old dog, and together, they went out toward the stern. He walked the old dog. Or, maybe, the old dog walked him. It was hard to tell if either of them was in charge, and maybe, it didn't matter to either of them.
.
For a long time, as the sunset purpled, the old man and the old dog stood above the transom, pondering the gulls soaring and diving in the wakes of the ships, softly lost in meditations.
[close quote]
.
.
I would enjoy reading about your 'caring and sacrifice'.
Where do you invest your loyalty?
.
*****
.
Here is the foundation of the Hadley fleet concept of permanent live-aboard ferries:
www.nauticexpo.com/prod/incat/product-27117-230648.html
.
And 'yes', that is 91m/300' with a vehicle capacity of 220 with 900 passengers.
Traveling, on the move, at least one is in the cab... acting as 'navigator' to keep us informed of potential dog-parks and those generic buffets known collectively as 'pet-smart'.
.
I am utterly unable -- and probably unqualified -- to attempt an existence without some form of canine supervision.
.
To express my experiences, here is a section of my latest manuscript... working-title 'SLOW DAY AT THE OFFICE'.
Time -- a few years post-global economic collapse.
Protagonist -- Hadley, gruff-but-lovable billionaire.
Setting for this scene -- aboard one of Hadley's fleet of retired ferries, in one classroom, at the close of an orientation for new crew, experienced members of the Teams standing-by to assist.
.
.
[open quote]
He breathed deep, let it out slowly as he half-smiled at an old memory. Quietly, almost a whisper, he said "How many are familiar with the Rhodesian proverb 'no hills without graves, no valley without shadows'? We all leave something. Teams, together, we focus on making this a better place."
.
Boosting his public-speaking dynamics to 'own' the room, his voice boomed "I used to have a family. Now, I have the Teams, and I care for each one of them. And they return this with their loyalty. Loyalty for caring. I suppose, for most folks, that would be good enough."
.
He breathed deep again as he gazed into the soft brown eyes of the old red dog sitting at his side.
.
"And yet... I think a lot about my reasons for spending so much of my time alone with dogs, and the reasons I feel empty without them. Yes, dogs are a lot of work. So, why do I do it? The answer is simple... I'm broke, not good with people. For some reason I don't understand, I'm barely able to connect deep and intimate. For example, I experienced many failed romantic relationships. Although I try to be caring and giving, most of my relationships self-terminate early-on. I try, but never had long-term deep relationships with either men or women. For another example, I worked all my life, and before this mess, I rarely spent time with anybody other than the Teams. I'm just not a people-person. But, I am a dog-person. Dogs offer me something other than I find in most people."
He smiled. "Most people outside this room, that is."
A few people chuckled at Hadley's smile.
"And for some strange reason, meeting the constant needs of a dog is not a problem for me. Instead, it brings me joy."
.
He turned serious for a moment.
"Folks, I believe the need to sacrifice and care for others is just as basic a human need as air and water and food and shelter. Without them, we wither and die. Any time we fail to love and sacrifice, we may not die physically, but we still die on the inside, in our hearts and spirits. So, because I am not so good with people one-on-one, I express my caring and sacrifice to the Teams, mostly by mentoring and suggestions, and it usually doesn't become physical. The time I spend with the Teams, I'm able to do it short-term... as long as I get enough alone-time. Like I said, I'm broke."
.
Breathing deeply quietly, he gazed at the ceiling a long time, then mumbled something about going for a walk.
.
At the rear entry to the main deck, Hadley donned his PFD and activated its transponder, then mounted a leash and canine-PFD to the old dog, and together, they went out toward the stern. He walked the old dog. Or, maybe, the old dog walked him. It was hard to tell if either of them was in charge, and maybe, it didn't matter to either of them.
.
For a long time, as the sunset purpled, the old man and the old dog stood above the transom, pondering the gulls soaring and diving in the wakes of the ships, softly lost in meditations.
[close quote]
.
.
I would enjoy reading about your 'caring and sacrifice'.
Where do you invest your loyalty?
.
*****
.
Here is the foundation of the Hadley fleet concept of permanent live-aboard ferries:
www.nauticexpo.com/prod/incat/product-27117-230648.html
.
And 'yes', that is 91m/300' with a vehicle capacity of 220 with 900 passengers.
