Allie's gris-gris

Dear L and D

So last night I took Allie outside when a few stars were visible. She did her business and wandered around a little, making sure no terrorists had taken over while she was inside. Then she and Ghost came up and sat down with me. Even Ghost, who usually dances around like a wild man. They listened very soberly as I told them all about Stocker, how he wasn't some sissy show dog any more, but carried the whole weight of his humom's heart and worked night and day to make the home a perfect place for his family. How he had had several close calls and things had been growing in him that didn't belong there. How he had fought like a Malamute and was the toughest dog imaginable. That now he was in pain again and we all had to think of him and send our best Malamute energy his way to help him get through this time again. How his humom was terribly afraid for him and beside herself because he is the love of her life. How tomorrow would tell whether he had another growth or not, and that we had to be pulling for him.

They looked at me with their big brown eyes, and Allie's said to me,"never be afraid for a Malamute. Do your best, but trust us to do our very best, and that is damned good. We will give you everything we have, and that is ourselves, now. Be satisfied with that, and love and outrageously spoil us now. Every day with us is a gift, to be enjoyed anew with wonder and excitement. All those gifts will stay with you for the rest of your life."

(Allie thinks rather highly of herself, and knows I worry about her age.)

Late that night, as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard a very soft, haunting sound outside my window. It was Allie, howling. She only whisper-howls, but it's very spine-tingling and I'm sure it reached as far as Bellville.
love,
c