Joire de Vivre

Ben and Geli have had an interesting past year, fighting, jealousy, (shedding!...that's GOTTA get in ben's mouth, but he doesn't seem to care too much... although I have seen him cough up many a hairball and I suspect that ISN'T his hair)

So, there they are spending the entire day in the back yard. Really....all day. I put them out at5:50 this morning. they got a brief respite at lunchtime (very brief). Other than some short play time in the front yard...they spent all day out there.

I'm watching TV and hear a few yips. It's Ben trying to get Geli to play. Reluctantly she engages and then for the next 25 minutes they are romping, kicking, hipflicking, mawing. And even after Geli tires, Ben can still coax one more run out of her. I mean, what fun! This is pure fun. They have no self-consciousness about who might be watching them (me and maybe the neighbor across the alley?). They have no qualms about acting like puppies (Geli's 8 now). They are just having fun.

This is play. This is good stuff!

And, when they finished, they had such a level of happiness on their faces, it's almost indescribable.

Then, they wandered around, sniffin' and seeking and just having a blast out there, apart but together; displaying that elusive Joire de Vivre that we (I) have such a hard time finding.

And...I suspect they do this alot. They have cracked the code. Mes chiens ont trouve le Joire de Vivre.

I WANT THAT FEELING!!

(Where's kris, damn it! I need some play time with MY best bud! (and no you perverts, that's NOT what I mean!))

Everyday we need to have that feeling. At Least, find a little. That's my prescription.

Tonite, mine is Dvorak's string symphony # 12 ( 2nd movement), enjoying a damn good Pork Tomaxelle, fagioli romana, a glass of earthy Cotes du Rhone and watching Ben and Geli play.

That's my Joire de Vivre.

...and now I can sleep well.