Sherry and I bought our first pup, Ponce de Leon, in Dayton, Nevada, at a defunct pet store that was being turned into a pizza place. We closed the deal with a $20 bill and our lives changed forevermore.
I could write a book about the misadventures of “Poncer Dog” and how the speckled puppy with tiny legs and a barrel chest captured our love for a decade. However, this brief story is all about how stirring up memories can be more effective than an aspirin.
Monday was a tough day. One of our employees made a silly and costly error. I learned an old friend died of a heart attack. My new cellphone did not listen to my commands. I got on the scale and found I had gained three pounds on my new diet. I opened my truck’s glove compartment and discovered a nest of little mice. I told Sherry she was in a bad mood (not a good idea on any day).
So what does a blue Monday have to do with a mutt who died 15 years ago? I’ve learned all I need to do is lay on my back, take a few deep breaths, close my eyes and see that darn puppy’s floppy ears coming toward me. I can feel his cool nose on my cheek. I whisper, “Hi, little fella,” and I feel a jolt of joy.
I believe we all have our Ponce de Leons in our memory bank. We just need to call for them.