A Favor for Elmer

Dad’s probate period dragged on and on. I had performed my duties as his personal representative with alacrity and scrupulous efficiency.

It hasn’t been enough for one of the beneficiaries. I won’t go into any detail here, but delays and delays orchestrated by an immature, entitled and delusional person had left me in an occasional state of deep depression.

Thank Christ I had Elmer the maniacal husky to me off my ass and onto the beaches or into the woods. Out in nature with my great dog at my side,I always get my head right with the world and launch myself into the day with good vibrations.

A week or so ago, I was feeling extraordinarily blue, waylaid on the couch, trying to read a novel while rain ripped outside.

Elmer came up to me and gave me a look. He barked and pulled the blanket off me with his teeth! Get off your ass!

I laughed, sprung up, jumped into the car, raced to the grocery store, and bought Elmer a big New York steak. I raced home, fried the steak while Elmer stalked the kitchen, cut it up, and served my incredible dog his dinner.

Just like that, depression defeated.

As Jim Harrison wrote, “There’s something about doing a favor for a dog that calms a person down.”

Jim Harrison wrote many a memorable true line in his fiction and nonfiction, but that is the truest.