I Have Decided to Liquidate My Estate
I have managed to put away a large stash of balls, Frisbees and orphaned socks over the years. I have been lucky. Life’s been good to me. A few days ago, however, as I sat here on the back porch presiding over my estate, I came to an epiphany: I don’t need all the stuff buried in this yard. My hips have gotten bad and my eyesight is nearly gone. A backyard filled with stuff I can no longer play with doesn’t do me much good.
I have decided I’m going to dig up everything in the yard and give them away to puppies in need.
Our consumer society brainwashes us into thinking having one of something is not enough. Tennis balls are sold in packs of three. Animals are made from many bones, not just one. The message being sent out by Nature and the Sporting Goods Industry is clear - more is the norm. So, like many dogs, I spent my life dutifully burying as many things as I could. In hindsight it was a waste of energy.
Each ball carries with it a story, a unique memory of some day in the park or trip to the beach. I imagine it will not be easy to part with them but if some of these unchewed toys can bring happiness to even one puppy it will be worth that pain of loss.
Soon I will meet The Eternal Mailman. I can only hope that giving away my stuff will allow me to chase him with a lightness only possible from knowing my estate was not collected in vain.
Comments (3)
Oh my, Jack, your tale brought tears to my eyes. You are indeed a noble soul, but I think your heritage is deserving of better than random dissolution. Have you considered erecting the “Jack Dog Library” in which your precious possessions might be enshrined for posterity? Our Presidents do this kind of thing! (Of course, you could name it whatever you wish.)
Jack,
While I am only nine months of age, I find your wisdom enlightening. Perhaps I should focus less on the material aspects of my life and more on the love I am given each day by male and female human and my big hairy brother, Louis.
It is so easy to get caught up in superficiality, especially, when like me, you come from a shelter where you had nothing.
When you dig up your holdings from under the ground for the estate sale, I only hope you are able to recall fond memories because I think that’s what life is supposed to be about. Oh and eating lots of good meat, naturally!
Give up my tennis balls? Nooooo..... say it ain’t so Jack. There’s got to be a better way… what if I adopt a little dog brother and let him play with my tennis balls?
And I thought tennis balls came in packs of 3 because that’s how many I can hold in my mouth at one time… now I fear it is just because of our consumer society… Was I really brainwashed? Did it happen during my last bath? Darn that lady at the kennel.... I thought something was up when she kept saying ‘good Max.’ What a fool I’ve been....
Keep on Wagging!