Why Charliestree

I guess some titles are pretty self explanatory. Great Expectations. The Prince and the Pauper, Koyaanisqatsi, and, of course, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence. Given that all of my favorite names were taken for this blog I had to come up with an address for this blog that I, at least, could remember.

Charliestree. Should be "What happens when Charlie and I are outside and he gets on the opposite side of a tree blog". Problem with that name is that it would severely limit other topics I might want to address. Couldn't follow that title with, "So what's up with Barney Frank?"

It's always nice to write about something that's fresh in your memory. Charlie and I were out for his usual walk this morning. On the way back he got behind a tree. I took a positon on the opposite side of the tree, and for the next several minutes we played a version of either ring-around-the-rosie, catch me if you can, or peek-a-boo. I don't know where he picked this up, and I didn't teach him how to do it. He's done it ever since he was a pup, and I must say, he's as agile now as he was then.

Whenever I move towards him he jumps to the opposite side of the tree. If I try to run around the tree to get him, he runs to the other side. He waits by crouching down this his front legs on the ground with his butt high in the air - the same position he takes when he wants to play with the other dogs. (Am I finally admitting that he sees me as a big dog?)

Mind you, this is a daily ritual practiced in all seasons irrespective of the temperature or the time of day. It could be 2 AM with the ground covered with ice and snow; it doesn't matter. Once he gets it into his head that we are going to play, we are going to play. I've tried to outlast him by not moving to either side to see if he will peek around the tree to see where I am. He always wins. I move first.

Although it may differ by breed, Charlie smiles. When we play his game (and believe me it IS his game) he is always smiling. There are times of course when I just don't want to play because it's too cold or I am too tired or it's too wet and muddy outside. But when he smiles, I smile. May be similar to hearing a baby laugh. I don't care if you happen to be mixing cement in your mouth; you are going to laugh.

Only problem with the game is I have unconsciously made this a barometer for our relationship. Charlie has a heart condition; it's not good. Based on the doctor's forecasts he shouldn't be around right now. He should't be here period much less be able to play our silly little six year old game.

The other day Charlie started to walk back to our place without hiding behind the tree. My heart came up into my chest and then my throat. Maybe he just doesn't feel like it, I thought. Or maybe...

If someone had been walking past us at that particular moment they would have seen a tall barefooted man standing behind a tree peeking his head out every few seconds trying to attract his dog's attention and then watching as the man and the dog chased each other around a tree.

Not just any tree, sir.

Charlie's tree.