This is Jake, my new best bud. His name became a source of delight among his human friends who greet him with "Hi! It's Jake from State Farm!" or "What are you wearing, Jake from State Farm?" He's a squirming bundle of love whenever he sees someone he knows. Jake is a McNab, a breed known for keen senses, intelligence, and the need to work. He lives with his humans and two horses on five acres near Washoe Lake.
Whenever I visit, I get real hugs with paws and legs wrapped around my neck. Then Jake brings me his frisbee. If I don't throw it for him, he tries again and again to focus my attention on that frisbee. If I ignore his efforts, he drops the frisbee at my feet and stares at it with the same level of concentration observed in Madison Bumgarner during the World Series. If the frisbee is anywhere in the vicinity, Jake's eyes are on it.
I'm a bit envious of his single mindedness. Too often I allow myself to become distracted from one of my 'soul' pursuits - pulling all the words out of my head and onto paper. But, humans are not dogs of course. We must actually go to work, take care of the place we call home, shop for groceries, pay bills, spend time with family and friends, etc. But, darn, I am so good at finding other reasons to go off on tangents that eat up spare time. I too often allow my mind's eye to roam away from my 'frisbee.'
So here's my renewed commitment to the end result - knowing that I'll have to write something on this blog regularly. Perhaps if I drop all the notebooks filled with bits and pieces of stories at my feet and stare at them I'll think of Jake's determination. Hoping to bring smiles and even laughter to those who find me here.
