The Cast Always Changes

I was cleaning off the fridge this morning, and found a real treasure buried amidst the take-out menus, receipts, kid artwork and other assorted things.

 I sketched this a couple years ago, just for fun, with a sharpie and some highlighters I had handy.  I think I might have done it to show my nephew or boyfriend's kids, or it could have been a doodle I did while I was on hold.  Who knows? 

But when I saw this, I was touched gently by the delicate sledgehammer of sentiment.  

Shakespeare said:

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players:
they have their exits and their entrances;
and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.

Looking at this cast of characters, I can't help but think of those who have made their exits.

 The spunky little fellow at the top is Ciro, and he's gone on to a fantastic home with a family who loves him very much.  I still see him all the time since he's still boarded at the same place, but the spotlight of my stage doesn't shine on him as often.  Now he's but a bit player in my life-- and I do miss him, but I don't worry about him.  To quote The Bard again, Ciro's a fellow of infinite jest. He's center stage somewhere else, and he's finally getting to be someone's star.

The blue horse at the bottom-- demanding her cookie-- is Indy. Sadly, she died of an aneurism or heart attack shortly after I did this goofy little sketch.  It was quick.  It was probably almost painless.  She may be gone, but she still lives very vividly in my memories, dreams, and hopefully in the imagination of anyone who ever met her or will read about her in the future.  Some days-- when the wind blows just right or I see something that reminds me of her-- I miss her so badly I can barely breathe.  I'm in the process of writing a book about her, and I've been "nearly done" for the last 4 months.  Those last few chapters have been hard to even think about, much less tap out blithely on the keyboard.  Maybe if I don't finish, she'll live on forever?  I tell myself that her immortality is a lot more certain if I DO finish.  I'd probably better get back to work on it.  But I've gotta buy some Kleenex first.  (adds to shopping list)  ;)

Not all of my pets from this sketch have left the stage.  The horse in the middle, done in shades of yellow, is Hannah.  She's actually reddish, with a gold mane, but what can you expect from highlighter?  The grumpy old nag is still with us.  Fat, happy, and totally in love with my boyfriend Brett.  It's really kind of cute, since she's been the kind of horse that prefers kids.  She's semi-retired due to her heaves.  Medication helps, and when she feels up to it, we ride her some.  I think she's turning 20 this year.  I'd better check her papers.

Last but not least, is Rhett.  He's the dog in the corner, wishing for a hug.  It's funny, but when I look at this little cartoon, it's all kind of to scale.  Rhett's a borzoi-- a very tall dog-- and the horses are all basically just large ponies.  Rhett's still with me.  Always at my side.  Like Now...

Oh, what's the matter, fella?  Did I wake you up?  

There's no need to pout about it.  Just go back to sleep. 

Rhett's 7 this year and broke his leg a few months ago.  It was quite the ordeal for him-- being a front leg, it's very weight bearing and the break was in a bad place as far as being able to set it perfectly.  A top dog orthopedic surgeon in Omaha did the work, and we all made it through more or less intact, but he's got a permanent deformity to the leg and walks with a limp.  He insists that limpy borzois should get extra hugs and pampering, and it seems to be working.  As for me, I'm just glad we saved his leg.


If I were to draw a new sketch today, representing my pets currently "on the stage" of course Rhett and Hannah would still be there.  But they'd have some company.

Seriously... he's been watching me type, in between bouts of mischief. 

This is Phantom.  He was a housewarming present from Rita Rice at Aria Borzoi in Texas.  She also bred Rhett's litter.  This big goofball is about 20 months old, at present and is big, black and a supreme goofball. 

He's a living, breathing exclamation point!

He says "hi" by putting your whole body in his mouth, if it'll fit.  But he's growing up fast, and perhaps he'll
catch up to some dignity, at some point.  Really, though?  I don't care.  He makes me smile.

This is Toby.  He's a spotted saddle horse, and I'm taking some lessons and getting some help so I can work around my disability and maybe start hitting the trails again.  He's one of the most comfortable horses I've ever sat on, he's short strided but smooth, and he fits me well.  I can't say for sure if this is a "forever" kind of situation, but it could be.  I've always said that owning a horse is kind of like dating-- you get them, then you date them for a while. If it doesn't work out, you break up, and that's ok.  I just don't get the people that buy and sell horses all the time-- just like I don't get serial daters, either.  I guess some people are just looking for the fun of the moment.  But in horses-- just like in dating-- I'm more about that long-term relationship. I'm really hoping this one's a keeper, and we don't have to break up.

So, for now, Toby's kind of center stage and having an extended audition. There's no way in hell he could ever "replace" Indy.   I hate it when directors make a great story, and then have to get a new actor to play the part of an established character. That's why I'm actually grateful for their differences, because it keeps me from just handing over her script, shining the spotlight on him, and expecting him to BE her.  

So, anyway--  the stage is set.  The lights are down low, and the curtain's going up.

This is a piece of my life.  :)