The true meaning of Christmas

One of life's pleasures is unexpected gifts. Another is the kindness of relative strangers and from those who give simple, practical, gifts that will be valued by the recipient.

Each day, when the Boss walks to walk, He spends some time talk with the men who do not have a permanent home. Often, he will cross the road simply to just say g'day. Other times he will spend 10-15 mins having a chat about what's going on in their life right now.

Sometimes these men come to my local park, Frog Hollow, where they sit in the shade of the Ash tree and chat and share stories. If I'm around and allowed out, I'll rush up to John (Scotty aka Jock), Lonnie, Bruce, Kingy and the late Pete and push my ball at them and encourage them to throw the ball and play with me.

Even though they smell a little different from other bi-peds and their coordination at times is not the best, they love the fact that I don't discriminate in my choice of ball throwers. I get lots of pats from these men. They know not to feed me as my passion in life is chasing ball - not begging for food. So they throw the ball - even though it is often covered in my saliva. That's not a problem for them.

Together with my Boss and me over the past two years, we've got to know each other and the men, us. All of us together have shared good times and hard times.

Today, when the Boss was walking to the office. Lonnie said that they have a present for us. Bruce reached into his bag full of Christmas gifts for his family and his mates - and after about five minutes of searching, Bruce pulled out a tennis ball and said. "This is for caesar from Lonnie, Scotty, Kingy and me."

The Boss was moved to tears. Such a simple humble and thoughtful gift - and thanks - for taking the time each day to get to know them and enjoy a laugh and a joke.

If only all of us could reach out to those in need and take the time to listen to each other, the world would be a much better place.

Merry Christmas from caesar and the Boss.

Grief and loss

Loss can occur suddenly, without rhyme or reason and can cause a huge shock to the system. It's hard to know what to do and you feel numb and exhausted. Some feel the need to talk; others feel the need to be silent. Some throw themselves into work; others take time to smell the roses.

As a dog the only real losses that i've suffered come from loosing a ball. Like when i was swimming in Sydney Harbour the other day - off Mrs Macquarie's Chair with the Harbour Bridge and Opera House in view. It was a magical day. The sun was shining, the tide was up so that i could dive in without hitting the rocks, and i was playing with one of my favourite balls.

And then it sank. Submerged into the water without a trace. No bubbles, Nothing.

i kept swimming around in circles, like a shark, trying to round the ball up, But, alas, it was not to be found. I started to panic a little, thinking that i had done something wrong, that it was my fault. i was angry with myself.

A lady commented to the Boss: “That’s unusual behaviour for a dog.”

“Yeah, he’s suffering some anxiety from loosing his ball. It just sunk,” He said,

The Boss called me over and pulled me out of the water. i shook myself dry and then he hugged me…. the best hug ever. The Boss went and found a surrogate ball – a used water bottle – but it was not the same. The wind caught it and it didn’t fly in the air anywhere near as well. And i had difficulty concentrating. i was stating to get tired, too.

We both knew it wasn’t right. So we gave up and started our walk back home.

And then i ran into Dennis. Dennis is the cute-ist male Silky Terrier that i know. He’s always happy, no matter what dog or bi-ped he sees. And when we saw each other, he wagged his tail like there was no tomorrow and it took my mind off what had just happened and i was OK again.

My boss suffered some loss today - the loss of a work colleague. No doubt He’s feeling like i did when i lost the ball. i get to spend tonight inside for a change. The Boss gets to hug me and hold me and pet me and i get to lick the salt from His face.

We both feel for each other and our loss.