Time is like the wind, it lifts the light and leaves the heavy. ~Doménico Cieri Estrada, Mexican writer
I Monkey here.
My mama is beside herself these days with projects, so I’ve volunteered to post on her blog for her.
I know, I’m nice that way.
Take a look at this picture:
That was my predecessor, St. Dallas. I found it lurking in a special folder on Mama’s phone — almost like some kind of shrine.
I imagine a lot of pups would be jealous of something like that, but not me.
Why, you wonder? Two very good reasons:
- I Monkey have a special photo album of my own on Mama’s phone.
- St. Dallas taught Mama to love, and I Monkey am the beneficiary of that.
The photo was taken Oct. 27, 2014, long before I Monkey was a glimmer in my parents’ eyes. That was a mere month before St. Dallas’s eighth birthday and six years before he crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
So I guess he was in the prime of life or something.
Now take a look at this picture:
It’s me!
I’m standing in nearly the same spot with a smattering of colored leaves dropped all around me.
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
I was walking with Mama yesterday morning and, when I stopped to check something out, she told me to halt for a picture. She’d probably tell you she thought that location would make a pretty Fall photo, but I Monkey know better.
I think St. Dallas was near, nudging her to grab the camera and capture the moment.
After all, time flies, doesn’t it, and Fall is the perfect time of year for remembering those who’ve gone before us.
Rest well, St. Dallas. I Monkey am doing my best to keep this mama of ours on her toes and to distract her from grieving you.
I don’t like seeing her eyes leak.
But I’ve a bone to pick with you, good sir. You let her get away once too often with violating our Chief Rule. You know, the one that says one posed picture earns one (or more!) treats.
And now I Monkey am going to have to set her straight all over again.
Huh.
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Dearest Monkey, I miss Dallas too. However, you’re in a league all you’re own.
“St. Dallas taught Mama to love, and I Monkey am the beneficiary of that.”
Yup, and you share that love with Mama in return.
Love is like a big circle, it goes around.
Always great to read your posts, Sir Monkey. And by the way, that’s a great picture of you, you handsome boy!
X to you and Mama!
P.S. Can’t wait until we get colorful fall leaves.
Thank you, Mr. Ron. I’m glad you liked I Monkey’s post. (Mama says that’s bad grammar, but I wouldn’t know anything about that — I figure you understand me just fine!)
“Love is like a big circle.” Yes, it is, and I Monkey am very fond of circles, especially when I’m herding something. Mama wonders why I don’t get dizzy, heh heh.
Fall might be my favorite season. I love the cooler temperatures and the ever-busy squirrels; I’m not particularly fond of the shorter daylight hours.
Mama said to tell you happy weekend! xx
Dear Monkey, You are a handsome dude! I’m sure it’s hard to follow in a Saint’s paws, just ask Miss Penny. But you are a great dog in your own right, and you are just the one to keep your mom in line. Somebody has to do it, right?
Oh, Miss Dawn, you are soooo right! I Monkey am trying my hardest to keep Mama in line, but she’s a tough one. Perhaps I can get her to take in another pup to help out? Nah, on second thought, I Monkey would hate that. Huh, having to share her with another fur-kid? No way. It’s bad enough living in the shadow of St. Dallas!
Monkey,
Even though Mom may not realize it and that you will never reach sainthood status, you are quite the treasure – and so classy and sensitive to honor Dallas in this way.
Mr. Frank, I Monkey am convinced I, too, will attain sainthood status … but only after I cross that Rainbow Bridge. Mama puts on her rose-colored glasses when she remembers past pups (none of whom ever did one thing wrong — huh!), but the loyal, stick-to-her-side pup at present (in this case, I Monkey) am relegated to second class status. Huh.
That explains a lot! Thank you
Dallas and Monkey both are remarkably handsome. It’s wonderful that you have such similar photos of them both. And look at those fallen leaves! Clearly, your season is turning much faster than ours, and I’m just a little jealous.
Miss Linda, those leaves in St. Dallas’s photo were nearly a month later than in my photo; consequently, there’s not too much on the ground right now. In fact, most of our trees are still fairly green (though I Monkey can see bits and pieces of changing color). I think I remember last Fall, and I liked it a lot. Mama didn’t have to forego my walkies because it was too hot or too wet or too icy. Practically perfect, don’t you think?!
In Chinese tales there is the monkey king, which means monkeys have their own royalty. Dallas might have been a saint, but as a Monkey, you have your own special lineage.
The Monkey King? Miss Laurie, I Monkey have never heard these tales. I suppose Mama is purposely keeping me in the dark. Hmph! I’ll fix her. The next time she’s got her nose in a book or some dumb project, I Monkey will snatch her laptop and visit that Google thing. They’ll tell me!
Monkey, I know you will enjoy those stories.
💕
Thank you, Miss Eliza. Fall can’t come soon enough for Mama and me!
What a sweet, sweet post, Monkey. Another reason you should never be jealous of Dallas is because our beloved pets (I hope you aren’t offended by the term “pet”) can never be replaced. We can only fill a void. I know you’ve successfully done that for your Mama.
Miss Kelly, the term “pet” doesn’t disturb me at all. In fact, I Monkey rather like it, as it signifies something dear and cherished! I understand I’ll never fill St. Dallas’s paws — but one day, I’ll meet him and maybe I’ll understand why he was so special to Mama. In the meantime, I’m doing my best to keep her so busy she hasn’t time to think about the past!
I think we all miss Dallas but it is so much fun getting to know you, Monkey. I’m sure you do a great job keeping Mama’s eyes from leaking.
Mr. John, I think Mama’s eyes still leak, but mostly at night when I Monkey am in bed and can’t see her. I think it’s worse if she reads poems like the Rainbow Bridge, too. Anyway, at least I Monkey can keep her occupied during the daylight hours!
We all have those moments, Monkey.
Hi Monkey! Yorkie here. My Mama and I agree that Fall color is beautiful on you and that you have come to a healthy understanding of St. Dallas.
Monkey we both will soon be seeing the spookiness appear on our walks. Wondering what is yet to come.
Hi there, Yorkie — good to see you! It’s hard following in the paw prints of such a favored dog as St. Dallas, but I Monkey am trying (well, Mama would probably say I don’t give a hoot the way I act up most days, but that’s her version, heh heh!)
Oh, yes, indeed — I’ve already seen spooky creatures on our walks. Immense skeletons, ghouls, spiders, and other creepy-crawlies. I’m telling you, I’m just fortunate Mama doesn’t walk me at night, when I’ve heard these things actually moan and make scary noises! Stick close to your mama, good buddy!
Mama came home yesterday Totally Terrified, Monkey! She went to lay on her bed telling me that a Wicked Witch is on our corner!! And she saw pumpkins on the other side of the street that Mama believes that Wicked Witch is going to steal for her black kettle. The pumpkins are on the side of the street that we take our walks. What if that Wicked Witch steals Mama?! Now Monkey I Yorkie am Totally Terrified.
A witch? Oh, Yorkie, I Monkey am horrified! Why would somebody put something like that in their yard?? Pumpkins don’t bother me much — I get pure pumpkin with my dinner (for my tummy, ya know). But that black kettle bothers me.
I understand why your mom still misses Dallas so much! And I bet he is still with you both, even when you don’t notice. The thing to remember is that your mom loves you too…and that you are very good for her too!
Ah, you DO understand, Miss Ann! I Monkey thank you for your kind words. I think I’m growing on Mama, but it’s sure taken a long time. Why, I knew from the first time I laid eyes on her that she’d make me the perfect mom; why she didn’t know that must have something to do with how smart doggos are (and how, um, not-so-smart some humans are!!)