By Anne McKee

Well, it’s not so good, according to KayKay, my fluffy pup of 10 pounds.

But to the 40-pound beagle hound, Patty, peeking through the French doors, KayKay’s life seems pretty okay.

Ah, such is life, even for the pups. Our individual circumstances can seem hum-drum, even torturous but to those who watch our lives, we seem especially blessed, even undeservingly blessed. And always remember, we are watched.

The old adages of “watchers” were and continue to be family members, neighbors, friends and all acquaintances including those at church, Walmart and even strangers on the street. But in this 21st century of technology, we are watched and recorded even from the realms of outer space.

But with all of this, are we really in tune with the realities of walking-the-walk with others? Do we appreciate our fellow beings and their revelations day by day – the muck and the mire or the mountains and hilltops? Do we know when they hurt? Do we even pay attention to their valleys of despair?

An old Native American proverb has said it best of all, “Until you walk a mile in my moccasins, you will never know my hardships.”

Now my KayKay totally understands. If she could talk, and I think it will be soon, but if she could talk today KayKay would share her hardships. It might look great, especially to the beagle, but snuggled in my or Hub’s lap is not all that it is cracked up to be.

I mean just when she gets all comfy, her humans will standup suddenly, and KayKay is plopped to the floor and, well, she was not ready to plop. Or when she is yearning for a treat, she is told, “No ma-am, no treat now.”

And those dreaded words “bath” or “vet.” She doesn’t have a choice. It is not a democratic lifestyle for KayKay at the McKee ranch. And just let a little growl emerge from her cute little lips, oh my. Is she ever in trouble.

“Nice little girls do not growl.”

And where do her humans come up with costumes for EVERYTHING – Halloween, Christmas, even Valentine’s Day, also the quirky hats, clunky boots and bells around the neck? Not to mention turtle-neck sweaters and raincoats. Good grief!

If the little fluffy girl could vote, then it would be for more treats, especially the high dollar ones. And if she had her rathers, they would include more romps in the grass, bigger holes to dig, nastier stuff to smell and sometimes eat (ugh). Oh, only if she just could ever get the chance.

But, sigh, she is destined to be a lap puppy. Oh yes, she is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There is always lots of great healthy food in her special bowl, but she really yearns for puppy junk-food. Oh, she has her very own bed and very own house, and she is given smothering hugs and pets on the head often. But she wants rolls in the dirt and to eat unmentionables as snacks.

Yes, her life is wonderful. Yet, when she peers out the French doors, the beagle pup, Patty, seems to have an even greater life. KayKay sees her run and romp in the grass and sniff the most awful stuff. It must be wonderful.

There are times when KayKay and Patty meet at the French doors, nose to nose. I am not sure but I sense a conversation between the two, each wishing to be the other, because you see these pups watch each other without the benefit of iPhones, satellites or recorders but one-on-one in living, breathing life and they like what they see.

The conversation could go like this, “Meet me at midnight under the streetlight and we will prowl where the coyotes run. We will eat the awful but delish stuff around the garbage dump and slosh along the sewerage and then backstroke through the drainage ditch. It will be wonderful.”

And then she will awaken and hear my voice, “Let’s go outside, KayKay, and here is your treat.”

So life as a lap puppy, maybe it’s not so bad after all.

Anne McKee is executive director of the Meridian Railroad Museum and can be found online at annemckeestoryteller.com