We got a call from Ollie’s owner two weeks ago, desperate for a sitter for him while she was in Central America.  And because I had somewhat recovered from the soiled rug incident the last time Ollie stayed with us, I told her that yes, we’d watch him for eight days.

He can be a handful, as you, faithful readers, already know.

So I’ll sum up his visit with a few new unforgettable memories of our dear neighbor doodle.

1. It’s a love thing.  Ollie just loves.  He can’t help it.  He loves and licks and loves more.  Each time Chris and I settled on the sofa to talk or watch television, Ollie came over, put his front paws on our legs or whatever other body part was available and pulled himself up to sit on us.  Whenever we were in two different rooms in the apartment he worried and paced and followed and herded.  He is obsessed with contact–mainly of the licking and snuggling varieties.

2. More love.  I took a walk with Sarah and Belle at Wash Park on Saturday morning and let Ollie off-leash to visit with Belle, who was going bananas to say “hello” to Ollie.  The two frolicked for a few minutes and then a weenie little husky mix puppy came up to join.  The husky was on a leash.  Ollie licked the husky and then decided that was not enough.  Ollie mounted the husky.  I was horrified and pulled him off by the collar.  The husky owners were very polite, then grabbed their sweet, now violated puppy and bee-lined it in the opposite direction.

3. Love for nature.  Sunday’s weather could not be beat.  It was warm and sunny with a slight breeze.  We were visiting C’s mom and her husband at their home for Easter.  Their house has a big pond in the back that attracts geese and ducks.  Outside on an Easter egg hunt with the kids, we again allowed Ollie off-leash (we are very, very dense when it comes to caring for this dog and making sure he follows our rules).  All of a sudden, I heard a shriek.  ”Ollie’s in the pond!”  And I turned to see Ollie swimming happily in the pond at the back of the house and geese and ducks scattering to the sky.  When he saw me take off my heels and run down the side of the house to get him, he came out of the water, shook off and rolled in the grass.  On my way to grab him, I stepped on two goat head thorns.

4. Loving feelings.  On our way home from Easter dinner with a then dry Ollie, we decided to spend sunset in the park.  We were down to our last few hours with him and the weekend.  I have to say, I was grateful to be returning Ollie home.  Since the pond incident, Ollie was starting to smell a bit ripe.  Of course, the last time we had him, I took pains to make sure we were returning him cleaner than he arrived.   This time, I just didn’t have the patience or the energy.  He’s a dog.  He’s dirty.  We reveled in the last few moments of sun rays before the light dipped fell over the mountains and Ollie took one last big roll in the winter grass clippings.  He dogged it up.

Cheers and good wishes, dear Ollie.  Until next time…

And because we’re who we are, there will be a next time.