This is Week 16 of the community college where I am currently employed's 16 week semester. As I write, Gracie dozes deliciously on the bed behind me. I have a gazzilion papers to grade--the catch 22 of teaching English composition at a community college; otherwise, I would be taking a snooze with her.
Gracie has been a great ally this semester. Except for occassionally barking at intruders who suddenly appear at the threshold of our office cave, Gracie has been a model of self-control and easy-going companionship. Without question, Gracie has improved the quality of my life. Though some in the English Department persist in asking what she does for me and then not listening to what I say, most have quietly accepted having her around. Most students seem delighted. Gracie attracts lots of smiles as she saunters down the hall. Those students who have been less than delighted I suspect of having had bad experiences with dogs in their countries of origin. I do not press the point with them.
Once the finals have been delivered and scored, Gracie and my biggest worry will be how to snowshoe and maybe even ski without poles (as I am sure she will not like poles because of her aversion to any stick-like tool whether motorized or not: rakes, brooms, vacuums, etc.). I am counting on our mutual love of snow--my gliding over it and her sticking her nose in it--to see us through.
Well, back to those papers. Some of them are really pretty good, which I am taking as a sign that maybe, just maybe, America is not going to hell in a handbasket after all.
Gracie has been a great ally this semester. Except for occassionally barking at intruders who suddenly appear at the threshold of our office cave, Gracie has been a model of self-control and easy-going companionship. Without question, Gracie has improved the quality of my life. Though some in the English Department persist in asking what she does for me and then not listening to what I say, most have quietly accepted having her around. Most students seem delighted. Gracie attracts lots of smiles as she saunters down the hall. Those students who have been less than delighted I suspect of having had bad experiences with dogs in their countries of origin. I do not press the point with them.
Once the finals have been delivered and scored, Gracie and my biggest worry will be how to snowshoe and maybe even ski without poles (as I am sure she will not like poles because of her aversion to any stick-like tool whether motorized or not: rakes, brooms, vacuums, etc.). I am counting on our mutual love of snow--my gliding over it and her sticking her nose in it--to see us through.
Well, back to those papers. Some of them are really pretty good, which I am taking as a sign that maybe, just maybe, America is not going to hell in a handbasket after all.
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