Greetings, dear readers.

It is true I’ve been traveling – more about that later –  that’s not what I mean by today’s title. This is even better. Just under two weeks ago, the HaQ family welcomed a new member. Say hello to beautiful Olive, a sweet, funny, warble-baying Plott hound. She surely livens up the place. And what’s more – she has made such a difference for my little Chiquita, cover model and spring-loaded terrier.

After losing our big old hound over the summer, Chiquita mourned as much as I did, and she went from a bold, outgoing little rascal to shy, retiring and fearful. I couldn’t even take her for walks because she was too afraid and would beg to either be picked up or to turn around. With Luke, she could walk for three miles and be ready for more. Now I couldn’t get her out of the yard without anxiety. It broke my heart. 

So, one day while I was in the vet office picking up supplies I decided to mention to them that … maybe, if they knew of a dog needing a home …. maybe, I might be interested, because Chiquita needed a companion and we all miss having another dog at home. The vet gave me a wide-eyed look and whipped out her phone. There she was. Olive was rescued from a bad situation by a good friend who had dogs and cats, but the friend had passed away unexpectedly and Olive was the last of the dogs who needed a new home. Funny how the universe can serve up just what you need – all you have to do is ask.

The dogs met, they did OK. Home, she came. The picture above was taken three days after she came to live with us. We all love her and she has given Chiquita her sass back. So sweet to see. Yesterday, for the first time since July, we all took a long walk together up the road all the way to the pond that is our easy turning place. It is indeed good to be on the road again.

Stay tuned for more on the Here’s a Quarter blog next week! As always, your thoughts and comments are always welcome – they are moderated (I know – adulting again), so they may take a little while to appear, but I read them all and appreciate that you were here. Thank you!

My story collection is available on Amazon: Dog Days . Chiquita is the cover model and I’d love to hear your thoughts if you check it out!