I occasionally speak for Lily, as in: “Lily likes walking in the woods!” or “Lily missed you kids today” (this isn’t actual “doggie-talk” as I see it; it’s more of an interpretive thing with us). Since the “Dog Whisperer” was already in use, Hannah has settled on calling me a “Dog Lady” which is pretty funny as Lily is my first and only dog, and I cautiously backed away from most canines in the years before she became part of our family.
I had mild concerns over the “Dog Lady” designation at first, because the whole “Cat Lady” thing is totally wrong and generally ends up filed under “Odd News” stories. But Hannah assured me that a “dog lady” is several steps above, and I know her to be a bit of an animal lover herself, so I’m idling in neutral on this.
I have also been designated a “Car Lady,” because whenever possible, I try to take a philosophical view on self-centered drivers (“Well, maybe she cut me off because one of her kids is about to get sick in the back seat.” It could happen. Believe me… it could happen!). It keeps me calm and is based on sound reason. There’s nothing like getting flipped off for driving too slowly to your own dad’s casket viewing to give you a broader perspective on the lives of those driving beside you on the freeway… Yes, I realize that some offenders are just plain offensive. But I don’t have the time to make individual judgments, so I just kind of assume everyone is doing the best they can based on who they are at that point in their life.
It’s really just a matter of empathetic thought; tapping into common feelings and then shifting your own perspective to allow grace into the situation.
I have hit an emotional wall with cows, however. I don’t trust them. Rattlesnakes and mountain lions didn’t concern me all that much as we hiked through southern Utah last July. And the threat of a snake or wildcat never prevented Hannah and me from enjoying our daily morning run together. But a gang of cows in Boulder, Utah ended our run-every-morning streak and quenched any empathetic feelings I might have grown toward bovines.
It was all for the best. “Dog Lady” is a stretch. No one could have sold me on “Cow Woman.”
And what is wrong with being a Cat Lady?
So sorry! Truly, no offense meant.
I’m referring to those quirky news stories that always seem to open with, “In other news today…” and end with some shot of a house overrun by felines. The “excessive” situation…
By way of balance, I will note that the University of Minnesota’s Stroke Research Center completed a study indicating that cat owners may be less likely to die from heart attacks, strokes or other types of cardiovascular disease.
And (ahem), researchers found owning a dog did not offer the same protection.
That looked like a long car queue.
Jean-Luc,
Fortunately, we’d come through that tunnel from the other direction! It’s more fun taking a photo of traffic you haven’t been a part of…
So sorry, but I don’t visualize you as a Cat, Dog, Car or Cow Lady…. I see you more artistic and much more inanimate – Perhaps a Music Lady, or Picture/Photo Lady! Even a Hiking Lady. I’m not much of a Cow fan either but worse case…. I could see you as a Cowgirl! Chaps, lasso, horse and a hat! Yeah, that could work!
Love your post!
Intrepid,
I’m greatly relieved! I’d go for any of the above. And I’m thinking a lasso might be kind of useful in rounding up kids on my carpool nights…
Ha… I can see you now – The lasso might actually work. If it doesn’t try the brownies and cookies. I hear you’re a great cook. If all else fails, threaten to tell them really bad cow jokes like:
What do cows do for entertainment?
go to the MOoOOo vies!
How does a farmer count his cows? With a COWculator.
Why did the cow wear a bell around her neck? Because her horn didn’t work
Really bad… I know but I couldn’t resist.
Intrepid,
That must be what the helpful stranger meant when he suggested “intimidating” the cows! (“The Cows… Part Two (Boulder, Utah)”) If only I’d known…