Lair Davis

Dogs in Retirement

Costa Rica is overrun by abandoned domestic animals as well as wildlife.  Animal shelters have become a growth industry there. I am planning to volunteer at a animal shelter in Costa Rita when I retire (today, as a matter of fact, right after my coworkers take me out to lunch).

I am also looking forward to finding a pooch at the shelter to take home with me.  I have not had a dog since my hippie days in the 60s (when I didn’t believe in working at “real” jobs, and thus could take my dog along with me everywhere I went). After Jock-Hans died, and once I began to spend the majority of my daylight hours at the workplace, it just didn’t feel right to leave a dog at home alone all day, so I have refrained from having one. Now that I will be home alone all day as well, I want to get another dog. Can’t wait!

When sweet ol’ Jockle-Lockle died, my heart broke. I would tell everyone that I never wanted to own another dog because a pet’s lifespan is so short that a person is just setting her/himself up for heartbreak when you fall in love with one. Now that I am in my 60s, there is a fair chance that any dog I get will outlive ME!

Not such a wonderful thought, but, hey, at least it will be HIS heart that breaks, not mine!