Carly-Bear Hauka ~1993 - 2006
Any animal lucky enough to be in Mom and Dad's care had a wonderful life! In this story, Dad imagines what Carly is thinking as he spends his day chasing toys, mooching food, and even dreaming.
Six a.m. I don’t hear any movement, but my body-clock tells me it is time to start my day. I peek at Mum. “Get back to bed Carly, it’s too early to get up.” Next, I check on Dad. “Back to your basket, Carly.” Dratz! It’s now 6:45 a.m.. Time to play ball, literally! I try Dad first, dropping my beloved yellow ball right by his nose, where he'll smell it. Then he'll want to play! I sit and wait for some action. Nothing. A sad whimper should work. Nothing. A louder noise, then a really loud noise. “Get back to bed Carly!” Back to my basket ... I try to snooze with my eyes wide open. How can I sleep? It’s now 6:55 a.m!
I return to Mum, and push my soggy ball up against her arm. Eureka! Mum gives it a toss and I manage to catch it before it passes through the doorway. Dad’s finally awake. With one quick flip of his strong arm, my ball is flying, bouncing down the stairs. I tear after it, and manage to stop it from reaching the main floor. I return the ball to Dad again and again and again. People seem to love this game! It's hard work, but I humour them.
Dad is now telling me to go outside, as if I need to be told. So, ball in my mouth, we head to the back door. “Drop it Carly. That's your inside ball,” Dad barks at me. I really don't get this. (What makes a ball indoor or outdoor? They look the same to me!) Dutifully, I drop it and head out to do my morning business, plus a little exploring for rabbits and squirrels. All is clear, and my bladder is empty. I bounce myself off the door to summon Dad. What takes so long? I waste a lot of play-time just waiting. What could possibly be more important than letting me in?
Finally inside, I remind Dad about my morning cookie. This requires that cute look they seem to love. Works every time! Two well-earned treats come my way. Then, I'm back on duty, hurrying my ball back upstairs. Mum will be anxious to throw it for me. She’s in her bathroom making herself gorgeous for the day. She kicks the ball a bunch of times - usually hitting stuff that's in our way. Tons of fun! Dad kicks my tennis ball until it's time for him to get his jeans on. I take time to grab and shake the bottom of each pant leg for him. Dad loves this!
Dad, preparing breakfast, says, “Go get your Mom Carly.” I leap up the stairs and bounce against her a time or two, then return to Dad. “I don’t see her, try again.” Finally, Mom comes downstairs, where she makes her way into the front room to open the blinds. I start to follow, then remember I am not allowed in the stupid front room with its white carpet and couches. Whose dumb idea was that? Black dogs look gorgeous on white furniture!
As Mum enters the kitchen, I run past her and bounce against the dishwasher. She sometimes needs a reminder that my breakfast is cooling in the sink. “Wait a minute Carly, I’ll check to see if it is too hot.” She sticks her finger in my food (would she like it if I did that to her food?), and gives it the okay. I gulp down every last bit of the oatmeal and Cheerios mixture, then hop up beside Dad. This is when I usually score a couple of banana slices. Sometimes, I have to endure the humiliation of 'doing tricks' for my treats. It's a dog's life!
Mom got all dressed up this morning, so I know it is going to be one of those days I will be left home alone. I drag my pillow downstairs, where they stick me when they go out. Working to get my pillow in place, I hear Mom call me. “Carly, do you want to take Dad’s socks to him?” I dutifully drop what I’m doing, and rush to Dad’s sock drawer, and help Mom pick out the right pair. I don’t know what they'd do without me! As Dad extracts the socks from my teeth, I make sure I chew and moisten them a little. He complains I get them wet, so he might as well be right. Humans love to be right.
I am wondering what day this, because that determines how long I will be left home alone. As I ponder this, I hear my Mom calling, “I am ready to go dear”. I don’t know if she is talking to me or Dad. It's confusing - she calls both of us 'dear'. Dad coaxes me downstairs and puts the gate across the steps above me. He gives me a little pat on the head and tells me the same old boring, fake story. “We won’t be away long Carly.” Barney, my bunny and Friendly Pup are here to suffer with me. The gate means I can’t go upstairs into their precious white living room. “We’ll leave the radio on to keep you company Carly.” Like that's going to help! I hear the door close, the car starts, and drives away. It’s just me and my stuffed animals. Once again, home alone. As I lay on my pillow, I listen to cars going by. Will Mum and Dad realize their mistake and come back? No luck. Time passes and I drift off to sleep.
I dream of the past weekend, when we took a family trip to see my human sister, Connie. That day, there was a suitcase sitting by the front door, and a lot of other stuff in the hallway. I was so happy when Dad said I should get my ball, and help him carry stuff out to the car. Barney, Bunny, Friendly Pup and my ‘going away lead’ were dumped in beside me. Yeah! I love road trips. I love going to Connie’s place - the best holiday place in the whole world! Everybody gives me attention, and treats me like a king. Someone is always ready to toss the ball for me, or give me extra food. I even get to lay on the sofa in the front room!
On the way, I hear my Dad say, “Let’s stop for a late breakfast at the Pancake House. I’m quite hungry. How about you?” “It’s okay by me” I think and Mum answers. As the car enters the parking lot, no one asks me if I'm hungry. How rude! I’m always hungry. Before going into the Pancake House, Dad lowers each window to keep me cool. Dad parked so I can see them inside the restaurant. Then, another car parked right next to ours. There, on their back seat, is one of my distant relatives. Looks like his family treats him like a dog too! We both wait for the possibility of some restaurant treats.
It seems like hours later later, my family returned. Boy, was I happy to see them! Even better, Mum had a piece of pancake wrapped around half a sausage, all for me! I gobbled my treat, bit by bit, until it was all gone. Restaurant food on the road is the best. Meals on wheels!
Half an hour later, we arrived at our destination. This place feels like my home away from home. I made a mad dash for the house as Connie and Joe came out to greet us. All the people have kissed and hugged hello. Dogs do greetings differently, but, whatever.
Then, a moment of panic - did we remember to pack my ball? Yes! There's lots of space to run and fetch here, and the people are well-trained in ball-throwing. It's like being at camp. Once we got into the house, I was able to sneak away and look for Flopsy. He's a floppy-eared rabbit - the real deal, not a stuffed toy! He was in his house, sleeping. I sniffed around his rabbit hutch, until he yawned himself awake and hopped past me. He bounced into the front room, and up onto the back of the couch beside Joe. Boy, Flopsy gets away with murder. I’d be toast if I did that at home!
I remember visiting here years ago, when both Flopsy and I were much younger. At that time, I suffered the indignity of wearing a diaper indoors! Who does that to a dog? Anyway, it was great fun as the two of us tore down the hallway and across the living room. He would chase me. I would chase him. We went so fast the people couldn't keep up, and laughed hysterically to see black and white streaks flying by. I have to say, it was even more fun than chasing my ball - you never knew which way that rabbit would run, hop, twist and turn. Balls just go in a straight line.
Later, after a short camp-nap, I awoke to smell food. There are always amazing smells in this place! As soon as all the people were at the table, Flopsy and I made the rounds, looking for anything we might beg, borrow, or steal. I usually had very good results if I caught someone’s eye and gave them my hungry look. Vytas handed me a nice morsel, then I moved on to Jonas. This technique never worked well on Mum and Dad, but the people here were push overs!
After the meal was over, Connie suggested we all go for a walk around the block. That word WALK always makes me very excited! There are new smells everywhere here. Lots to see and do. Winter visits to this place meant going out in the snowy cold. That was even more fun!
I love sleeping over at camp. In the mornings, I hurry to the kitchen where I get a warm welcome from Connie and Vytas. I do my best mooching in the mornings, and breakfast here is much tastier than the oatmeal I get at home. After more ball playing and some meaningless people-chatter, I realize that suitcases and other things have started to gather near the door in preparation for our trip home.
“Carly, get your toys we’re going home!” Mom orders. I drop my ball at Dad's feet while he loads the car, and manage to have it kicked a dozen times. This is the way things should always be! Just a dog and his ball and someone to play with. As we motor home, the hum of the tires lulls me to sleep on the back seat. Being at camp is exhausting! Ball chasing, food mooching, and rabbit running is hard on a little black Poodle.
I come awake to the sound of a car door, and realize I have been asleep all day - at home! I’ve been dreaming of our last trip to Connie’s place. Mom comes through the front door, “We’re home Carly! How’s my little puppy?” I jump with joy, spring up the stairs, then outside to romp and play.
Next, I start bugging Dad to take me for a walk. He snaps the lead to my collar and we head to the fairgrounds. I love it here because Dad removes the lead and turns me loose. Here, Dad uses his slingshot and fires the ball WAY across the field. I tear after it like my life depends on it, catching the ball before it can bounce a second time.
We do this over and over until I need a drink from the little bottle of water Dad carries in his pocket just for me. Soon, I'm exhausted, and it's time to go home.
The return trip is at a slower pace, and on a different street. This pleases me, because this route takes us past that little white Poodle I like. With any luck, I may see her. I’m beginning to speed up when I hear a faint bark. Right away, I know it’s her! I stand on my back feet to get a better look. She runs around her house to the metal gate and stands up so she can see me too. This is so exciting. Why do we have to leave, Dad?
I remember one day, my poodle friend was all dressed up with pink ribbons tied around each ear and another bow tied to her topknot. She was wearing her little pink spring coat. That day, she came down the street to see me. I was in the house at the time, when Dad noticed her at the window. He held me up so I could see her. Before I could get outside, she had left. I will always remember how cute she looked, all dressed in pink! It seems she likes me too. Unrequited love!
I like dress up - especially when it's not me having to wear silly stuff. Here's a picture of Mum and Dad when they got dressed up and went out one day. I'm so glad I just had to wear a blue collar!
I'm, tired, but it's been a great day! I’ve been for a walk, played ball, saw my girlfriend and now my supper is ready for me at home. After supper and some more ball playing in front of the TV,
Mum puts me out for a last time. Then, she carries my blanket, Husky pup, Barney the dinosaur and my Bunny, upstairs. She lays my blanket in my basket and tucks me in for the night. I growl a little, to let her know I don’t like being treated like a baby. Deep down, I like the attention. Soon the lights are turned out, then her last words to me are, “Good night Carly Bear, see you in the morning”.
By Carly & Samuel M. Hauka. Edited by Roger Hauka 2019-12-04 & Connie Jasinskas 2020-02-02
That was adorable💕❤