CHI AND SUN

 

À new friend invited me to her home on Aruba for the first time recently. I felt honoured and excited as I had only been inside one private residence on the Island before.  On that occasion the first reaction to the outside was “good grief”; upon entering, however, I felt like I had stepped into Indonesia! It was palatial, filled with art pieces, beautiful furniture and big, wide wood and glass, floor to ceiling, doors that opened to a fabulous view of a blue lagoon-like alcove of the Caribbean Sea. It brought new meaning to the expression “first impressions”.

My new friend’s house is a vast compound of three homes, all well upgraded and occupied. She has pumped a lot of love, sweat and dreams into creating a happy, peaceful place in which to live, love and learn, and work, with very comfortable  furniture and furnishings to make one feel very much at home. The place is nearly a century old but from what I can tell, the attentiveness to upkeep and upgrading has given it hope of many more years of shelter for her and her two dogs.

Yes dogs. Two dogs. Chi and Sun.

My family and friends know that dogs tend to cause me a little more than a tad amount of angst. It has something to do with unpredictability and because I don’t believe the brains of animals understand etiquette or behavioral norms! For some reason they use their mouths too much and their mouths scare me. Ask my ankle.

So as I stood on her porch and rang the doorbell, suddenly a roar of rapid barking caught my attention. I froze for a second to try to be brave but then turned to walk back to the gate.

« I’ve got to get past this. I have to get past this. » I said to myself and walked back just as the door opened. I could see the dogs were small and their Master was keeping them away from the door. Good thing to do.

The dogs looked afraid of me and scattered away into the living room. At that point I felt more at ease and talked to them like they were humans saying “I just need a bit of time to get used to you. Come smell my feet and my legs and feel that I am a friend not a foe!”

This approach seemed to work. No more barking. No jumping. No feeling of danger. I made it! I think those dogs like me and I like those dogs. Their eyes were pealed on me and they both turned their heads slightly giving that inquisitive look. It was just so funny and quite fun.

As we humans sat outside on comfortable chairs around a large dining table, in front of an outdoor kitchen, sipping a delicious homemade brew, the dogs continued to show peaceful curiosity around my legs. I decided it would be okay to invite one up on my lap (yes you read that right). I could tell she really wanted to and I could feel it would be completely okay. It was. I even pet her head and back, while continuing my adult conversation with my host. I know few in my life are going to believe this experience happened, as such, except maybe my friends Karen and Klamer. They witnessed something similar in their respective homes.

When it was time to leave, I sat with the dogs as I put my shoes back on in the front hallway. I thanked them for being so well behaved and helpful to my overcoming an inhibition. I feel sure they understood and also feel sure a lot of this success comes from the nature of the Master. There’s a lot to be said about a dog owner who includes the senses or feelings of others when training domestic animals.

This was a delightfully fun personal experience that even found a spot in my dreams that night. No this does not mean I am getting a dog, but it does mean I know I need not paint all dogs with the same brush!

Thank you Chi and Sun Slegers — we are definitely compatible! Next time I will ask for a kiss !