1. Nature
2. Exercise
3. Color
4. Fresh Air
5. Trees
6. Flexibility
7. Socialization
8. Movement
9. Bonding
10. Training
11. Heart Health
12. Beauty
13. Happiness
14. Grass
15. Calm
16. Change
17. Mood
18. Strength
19. Posture
20. Fun
21. Sunshine
22. Photo
23. Opportunities
24. Joint Health
25. Love
26. Scenery
27. Moonlight
28. Smells
29. Visit
30. Brain Health
31. Exploration
32. Art
33. Flowers
34. Desensitization
35. Surfaces

36. Togetherness
37. Smiles
38. Behavior
39. Fondness
40. Wildlife
41. Seasons
42. Joy
43. Decorations
44. Outdoors
45. Sky
46. Lung Health
47. Beach
48. Shadows
49. Cuteness
50. Mountains
51. Fire Hydrants
52. Healthy
53. Muscle Tone
54. Water
55. Camaraderie
56. Circulation
57. Investigate
58. Trails
59. Marking
60. Safety
61. Exhaustion
62. Stars
63. Houses
64. Relief
65. Memory Boost
66. Caring
67. Neighbors
68. Terrain
69. Shopping
70. Bone Health

71. Light
72. Comfort
73. Friends
74. Foot and Paw Health
75. Appetite
76. Practice
77. Travel
78. Patience
79. Blood Sugar
80. Observing
81. Pleasant
82. Refreshing
83. Wonderful
84. Adventure
85. Forest
86. Present
87. Field
88. Show-off
89. Breeze
90. Rhythm
91. Treat
92. Inspiration
93. Stretching
94. Break
95. Healthy Weight
96. Fitness
97. Gardens
98. Free
99. Stress Reduction
100. Self-Esteem
101. Energy
102. Clouds
103. Easy
104. Longevity
105. Blood Pressure

Typist: Bethany
'Tis morning in Cascadia, ready to work
All around me the pets will casually lurk.
Black coffee, black laptop and telephone are near
Before sitting on the couch, black fur I must clear.

And white fur, grey fur, brown too; my task never ends
But it's worth it to work next to all my best friends.
The light as my laptop turns on almost dreamy
Sipping slow my coffee for it is still steamy.

The dogs have been walked, with the cat I have played
All the pets have been fed and the beds have been made.
As Leo's black beak munches breakfast from behind
All pets settle as I begin my daily grind.

When out on the porch, human foot steps can be heard
All rush to the door loudly except for the bird.
As dogs bark, cat meows, a fur storm at the door
Leo shouts "hello" until I can hear no more.

All that ruckus was made for just one tiny box
Delivered midst loud barking, meowing and squawks.
Calming all the pets with a plethora of treats
We can settle back in to our working time seats.

Three dog's black noses on the couch peacefully sigh
A pink cat nose covered warmly to sleep near by.
Cockatoo Leo is back to filling his crop
I again begin working at my black laptop.

My ears ringing from the box delivery attack
My much colder coffee not as tasty this black.
I would not have my work be any other way
Even loudly, pets always mean "have a nice day!"

Even if you don't work from home, how do your pets "help" you get the job done?

The steamy black coffee calm before the delivery storm

Typist: Bethany
Ode To My Fallen Traveling Friend
When I first set you up in 2009
I had to look up the directions online.
In an Oregon Country Fair field with little reception
I slowly found your set up instruction.
'Twas at that Fair you were aptly named "The Palace,"
The luxurious tent that mirrored my ballast.
Through Burning Man pilgrimages and road trips galore
Setting you up was never a chore.
I could single handedly erect you in minutes
Squelching ideas of solo traveler limits.
You were shelter for friends, family, five pets and I
Keeping us all safe, cool, warm and dry.
I was proud to grease your zippers and patch your holes,
That maintenance meant we'd met more traveling goals.
Thank you for your service my beloved tent
I was devastated when your poles were bent
In that Lake Mead wind storm your demise began
But last weekends broken door zipper was fate's last hand.
That and the rain you at last allowed in.
You had served so well up until then
Can you believe we camped at the Grand Canyon?
And in New York? What a great companion!
To the sound of Taps I marched to the trash your remains
Oh the memories of travel with you my heart contains
Thank you so much for being there my tent friend
I will miss you and remember you until my traveling end.

Have you ever mourned the demise of an inanimate object that was rich with shared memories?