This entire column was going to be devoted to Michelangelo (Mickey) BooBoo Vogel, our brand new mini golden doodle puppy, but things rarely turn out exactly as we plan. Yes, we took the plunge and adopted a puppy.
During these never ending days when Neil suggested that a silly, cute, cuddly and loving new family member was exactly what the doctor ordered, I could not agree fast enough. As is usual for Neil and I, once our decision was made we looked to get a puppy NOW. This meant buying a puppy in a pet store, which I have never done before.
Calling around I found out that three mini golden doodle puppies were arriving at a pet store in Pembroke Pines on a Friday night, and of course I booked the first appointment on Saturday morning to meet them. We would literally have our pick of the litter. Of course there was never any question between Mickey and his brothers.
Once Mickey came into the play area with us, he went right up to Neil, licked his leg, looked up at him with his huge brown eyes and Neil was putty in his paws. Mickey came to Parkland and immediately took over our house, backyard, and of course our hearts. Like any baby (he was 8 weeks old) we have multiple nightly wake ups and Mickey and I are learning from each other what is negotiable or not. He is charming when he cuddles, cute when he plays and devilish when he gets ‘puppy crazies’. I am over the moon in love.
What Mickey brings to the table for me is a positive way to live my daily life. After finishing multiple home projects, giving up on the 3,000-piece puzzle, baking, cooking, cleaning, reading and computer play, I was concerned about how my life was going to continue to transpire. Neil, recognizing that, suggested to give me Mickey for my birthday. This has solved the loneliness I was feeling and has surely filled my days with love and positive energy. I will always thank Neil for Mickey.
So, I am lucky. I am white, have money and an education and was able to use these assets to purchase what I needed to make my life better, -namely acquiring Michelangelo BooBoo. My life is filled with the luxuries that living in the United States can offer, but many people do not get to enjoy these same privileges. Two days after Mickey came home, George Floyd died at the hands of the Minneapolis police.
We have all watched the footage of the police officer with his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck. We heard Mr. Floyd cry that he couldn’t breathe. We saw other officers stand by, looking and doing nothing. I am sick every time I see. This is America? I thought this only happened elsewhere like Nazi Germany.
My column is not generally political. But how can I not compare the ease of my life during this pandemic and social upheavals over the death of Mr. Floyd, and compare it with others not as lucky as me? My self-isolation is in beautiful Parkland with many amenities.
On the other side many people are crowded into small apartments with no hope of staying safe in heavily hit urban areas. I have retired and can order whatever I need on Amazon People with less means have to expose themselves and their families to the danger of contracting the disease as they shop or work in jobs servicing many of us.
This inequity in itself is hard to believe, but the apparent unimportance of Mr. Floyd’s life to those police officers defies any level of civilization. I watch the fires of despair burn in cities from my living room with Mickey asleep in my arms. I am so blessed while others are so unsafe.
I don’t know how to make things better but I will be thinking about these issues long and hard. I’m sure many of you will as well. Meanwhile, Mickey is safe in his new home with his loving new human parents. I hope George Floyd rests in eternal peace.
By Jill Vogel