The Cheerleader and the Captain of the Football Team

You know how in teen movies there’s the pretty, popular girl whose outward confidence is just a cover for her insecurities, jealousy and desperate need to be the centre of attention? That’s Juno.

And you know the big, beefy guy on the football team? He’s loud and boisterous, but not too bright? He likes to party and does crazy stunts for attention, but underneath that brash exterior, he’s a sweet, sensitive guy who just wants to be loved? That’s Riley.

Riley is the dog we’re pet sitting. A while back, I proposed a home exchange with a couple who live in the countryside between Perth and Westport (both towns we’d considered retiring to). Maureen replied that they already had travel plans, but if we were willing to look after their dog and cat, we were welcome to stay at their place while they were away and we could bring Juno with us.

We showed up an hour before Maureen and Steve had to leave for the airport. Juno’s never met a dog she didn’t like, and Riley gets along well with other dogs too, so we weren’t too concerned about the dogs meeting. We introduced them outside. Riley, a burly chocolate lab, came barreling out of the house barking excitedly and clobbering Juno’s head with his big paws in an attempt to initiate play. His exuberant greeting caught Juno off-guard and, for the first time we can recall, Juno growled at another dog. Ray and I exchanged a look. We weren’t off to a good start.

As Maureen and Steve showed us around the house, they mentioned that Riley is a counter-surfer, and he’ll also grab socks if you leave them around, and he’ll chase the cat. Ray suggested we block the cat off upstairs to minimize the stress on an already-very-anxious Juno. As Maureen carried the cat upstairs, holding it in the air so it faced away from her, she said, “He sometimes pees when he’s scared…”. Riley was still barking and jumping, Juno was cowering behind me letting out a low growl, and a trail of cat pee was falling to the floor. I avoided looking at Ray.

After Maureen and Steve left, Riley curled up on the couch, laid his big head on Ray’s lap, and went to sleep. He settled down nicely and is a sweet and affectionate, albeit mischievous, pup. The next day, we were walking the dogs and Riley threw up. Out came an entire washcloth, still intact. We were relieved it hadn’t resulted in an emergency trip to the vet. Feeling a bit sheepish, I emailed Maureen about it. She said not to worry as that happens quite regularly and he’s very sneaky about finding them. Cool…cool.

Riley tries to befriend Juno, but Juno is still hesitant. They’re peacefully co-existing, but if Riley lies near me, Juno will budge herself in between so she’s closer to me than Riley is, even if that means wrapping herself around my neck like a cat. Occasionally, Juno will initiate play with Riley but then she’ll jump onto my lap for protection, so of course Riley follows and I have two full-sized dogs rambunctiously rolling around on top of me, while I struggle to get out from under them.

One of the main draws of staying here was its proximity to Ottawa, so we arranged a ladies’ get-together that included an art studio tour near Perth, shopping at Kilborn’s in Westport, and afternoon tea at the house.

Maureen and Steve’s house is an eco-friendly, arts & crafts style home that they built themselves. It’s on 16 acres of forest overlooking a beaver pond. We haven’t yet spotted the beavers, but an otter, a heron and a couple of turtles have made regular appearances. It’s a lovely space with cozy reading nooks and a fireplace, so I curl up in the window seat with my book and laptop, and drink cup after cup of tea. Ray brought his bike and kayak along so he’s been exploring the area and getting the dogs out for plenty of walks in the woods.

I like perusing other people’s bookshelves. Based on Maureen’s, I think we’d be good friends – travel books, books on writing, and lots of familiar fiction titles, including several of my all-time favourite novels.