I feel trapped, and so does my dog!

Written last night:

Today I don’t feel quite so trapped in this condo with Zing (no offense, Zing. I still love you!). I decided not to fret, but count on the experts at UC Davis. I am going to take it easy on Zing and on myself until our Monday appointment. 

I read some ASPCA  tips on separation anxiety, and two things stood out: that I should come and go calmly, with little fanfare, and that some dogs do fine if they are left in the car (when the weather is temperate — no cooking the dog!) I used to assume it was cruel to leave a dog alone in the car, and it's a relief to know I’m wrong.  This morning I was so desperate to live a normal life that I tried it. After all, Zing has always seemed to enjoy the car. 

First, because it didn’t seem right to not even get groceries, we went to Safeway Supermarket, where I left him in Rosa for about 20 minutes. (Let’s call Rosa the dog-sitter.) I bought dog treats, of course, and gave one to Zing when I got back, because he was sitting placidly in the back seat. There were no signs of frantic upholstery-ripping or window-licking. Then I took him to the dog park, and he got so tired out that afterwards I zipped over to the nearby big-box mall and returned curtains I didn’t want. It took less than 10 minutes in each, Target and then World Market, and Zing was nearly napping each time I got back to the car. 

(I know this is tedious!)

Earlier there was paperwork. There is no end to it. In the process I pointed out an error to Toni, a paralegal in Tallahassee:  she’d sent a form that said Clark died June 4, 2015, not 2016.  “I’ll fix it,” she said. “It’s no big deal.” I knew exactly what she meant — that she could fix it easily, without the many steps some legal things take. But unbidden I began to cry — I guess because that year certainly was a big deal to me. She was apologetic, and I tried to reassure her. It was uncomfortable, but I think we ended up knowing we are both human beings with feelings. That doesn’t often happen in legal encounters.

And this evening Zing and I went for a walk in a nearby neighborhood called Southside Park. It is changing, but seems to be traditionally Chinese, with small, cozy homes. I ordered a carryout from The Coconut restaurant, and phoned again from the sidewalk because dogs can’t go inside. The waiter brought yellow curry out in a second. It was delicious.