Dogs and Déjà Vu

Since their arrival on Tuesday, February 22nd, Annie and Tucker have been keeping us busy.  Although we are new to each other, the feeling of sharing our home with dogs is a familiar one.  With this doggy duo, Bob and I vowed to "do everything right", so we reviewed our 30+ years of experience with dogs.  The conclusion?  Though we didn't know it at the time, we were not good pack leaders.  (Heck, sometimes we weren't the pack leaders at all!)  We have made it our daily mission.

Annie has taken a liking to "Beemer's Room", so-dubbed nearly 20 years ago.  While "Beemer's Room" served as a guest bedroom for my Mom during the 2-3 weeks/year she would visit from FL, the rest of the time, Beem enjoyed it thoroughly.  While Bob and I were at work, Beem would doze in luxury.  Should something outside catch his attention, he had only to lift his head from the pillow to check it out.  (It has a large window that faces the street.)  This led us to wonder, "Might Annie be Beem?"

Relevant Background:
Amy Sancetta, the AP photographer who took my picture for Monica Rhor's February 2011 article, recommended a book that day.  Intrigued by her description of the story line, I ordered it.  I found Garth Stein's "The Art of Racing in the Rain" to be an engaging read.  (If you get the book, you'll know why I look at dew claws... our Annie licks hers daily... with a raised consciousness.  Here's a link if you're curious: http://www.garthstein.com/arr/.)

Tucker, an affable (vertically-challenged) fella, gamely struggles up, taking a spot next to Annie.  ("Beemer's Room" boasts a queen-sized bed.)  He waits to be lifted down when we come home.  (The living room sofa's height is better suited to his physical ability.)  Tucker's easy-going temperament puts us in mind of Freeway.

Because of "The Art of Racing in the Rain", reincarnation has been on my mind.  Before these two, it never occurred to me that our dogs might come back as... our dogs.  It's a heartwarming thought.