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January 12, 2006

Please don't make me cry at work, people.

I recently wrapped up a big project at work, and had some down time this afternoon and decided to check in with the eliterunning crew. I always feel mildly guilty about surfing at work, so I was reading pretty fast, until I came to Kemibe's post on the Disney marathon and I scrolled past the picture of the Yellow Lab Marley.

I immediately clicked on the link and went to the pictures and giggled at so many poses and captions I knew so well from my 10 years with my own little yellow friend. Then I clicked on the last picture, of a sleeping Marley with a white face, and burst into tears at the caption, which explained that the picture was taken a few days before his death. I lost it. I couldn't breathe. I was trying not to sob; I didn't want my coworkers to hear. When I finally got myself more or less under control I clicked back to the main page and read the reviews of the book. I lost it again. Y'know the last scene of There's Something About Mary where Ted thinks he's lost Mary to Brett Faahhvvrre and he's walking down the sidewalk crying his ass off? That was me, except I was trying to be quiet.

I have resolved not to attend movies I know will make me cry at the theater. (I'm waiting for Brokeback Mountain to make it to DVD before I attempt to see it.) Crying in public places wears me out. It's exhausting. It's embarrassing. And crying at work is quite possibly the worst form of crying in public, since you're more likely to have to explain yourself. Possibly to your boss.

So please, please, I ask my fellow eliterunningers, place some kind of warning on posts or links that may cause someone like me to lose her composure. I might be reading at work.

Matty developed a pretty severe limp just after the new year. It's entirely possible that it's just an overuse injury from chasing the b-a-l-l at the p-a-r-k, but because she's been so healthy for so long it's hard not to worry that it's a sign of something else. We've been trying to keep her from aggravating it. Can you imagine how hard it is to keep a dog named Matilda (after the kangaroo, for her amazing hurkey-type leaps when excited) from aggravating a leg injury? She does hurkeys before every meal, for crying out loud.

She doesn't act ten. She acts like a spastic puppy half the time. But her tenth birthday, the white face, and the increasing number of lumps and bumps and barnacles she's collecting on herself are making me more and more aware that she won't be around forever.

(this is right after a bath recently.)

Maybe it's the hormones ...

In other news, I'm still one person. I'm still running and yoga-ing. My coworker who was due only one day before I am had her kid on Saturday. I don't like her showing me up like that. But then again, I'm enjoying the peace and quiet around our house.

Posted by jenandmats at January 12, 2006 9:28 PM

Comments

Our dog is ten and is starting to show her age. I try not to think about what the next few years hold. It makes me cry, too.

Posted by: Heather at January 13, 2006 8:43 AM

my dog, mr. ajax, is only two and i noticed a few gray hairs on his chin! so he still acts like a puppy, but he is starting to look like a distinguished old man. isn't it amazing how remarkably human our dogs are to us?

Posted by: bridget at January 13, 2006 9:35 AM

I CANNOT BELIEVE You are so close to due!!!! Ahhh!!!! Craziness!!!!!! Take care!

Posted by: Audrey at January 15, 2006 7:33 AM

I'm suspicious from this current blogging silence that the size of your family has recently multiplied. I'm hopeful for a smooth, speedy, and exciting delivery! Many, many, many good wishes to you and Andy during this time!

Posted by: Meghan at January 27, 2006 8:45 PM