Pet Project

I used to love to play with Marbles when I was a kid. Such pretty colors that would almost glow in the afternoon sunlight, rolling in the short summer grass or in the red clay which packed much of the yard at our farm. What innocent fun, usually accompanied by great laughter and the placid stares of the cows as they watched, an ear flickering here or a tail swishing there when the childish squeals of my sister and I reached an especially surprising pitch. My mother was a city girl from New York but playing games with Marbles was an activity for which we shared a common affinity.
Now as an adult I find that once again, time spent enjoying Marbles is a pleasant diversion from the daily stress and hard work of modern living. It's nice to find a quiet moment to myself and unplug for a bit, get back to the simpler joys of life and remember what unfettered happiness feels like.
Of course the Marbles of today can't supplant the memories of my childhood but she sure does try hard, sitting in my lap, in her kennel, and dispensing kisses as if she were in a race to see how many can be given each precious 60 seconds. She's a beautiful girl, swirled and speckled shades of grey and black with brown markings on her expressive face. A blue-tick coonhound, she's true to her southern roots, all leggy, tall and slender. Dressed to the nines even in doggie terms, she sashays when she walks and her coat is soft, brushed to a subtle sheen. Marbles has the manners to match when it's her whim, sweet as sugar, demurely perching on her haunches at your feet for treats or lazily stretching out to maximize the belly rubs you just can't help but bestow upon her. As with all divas, she's particular about her figure and pursues a daily regimen of exercise coupled with social activity. Stranger to no one, she likes to promenade down the sidewalk stopping to greet every man, woman and child along the way. If you're one of the lucky humans, she'll invite you to join her in a jaunt along the woods' edge, discreetly turning to laugh as your two feet struggle to keep pace with her four. Well-traveled as any lady should be, Marbles is frequently engaged touring the countryside or soaking up the energy of urban environments on the weekends, chauffeured in proper style by the tireless volunteers of whom she is so appreciative.
At the end of the day, however, when all is calm and hushed, the sun's last rays tucking into an interminable night, Marbles lets her brave façade fall away and her head drops slowly to the cold concrete surrounding her makeshift bed. She curls into a ball as if to console herself, listening to the unsettled barks and howls of those to whom shelter life is new and whimpers softly until sleep comes to her. For although Marbles is by no means unloved she is homeless, without people, a yard, even a toy of her very own.
If you value the best life has to offer, the faithful true and timeless love only a good dog can provide, share your home, make new memories, play with Marbles.