Frieda and I have a tradition at the Open Houses. At each one, when we gather to talk, or for readings ( we do this twice each day of the Open Houses) I go into the farmhouse, put Frieda on a leash and take her for a walk around the grounds. I would not have done this five years ago, but Frieda has come a long way. She does not care to be touched, and does not wish to cuddle with anyone but Maria and me.  But she is curious about everyone, smells tell the story for her. When we go outside, she sniffs people,  looks for Maria and Maria usually comes out to sit with her.

I tell people not to touch her, many people want to.

Many people believe they can win dogs over with some love and attention and somebody always tries. If touched, Frieda used to growl and charge. These days, she will turn a way, or start. Once or twice, she has snapped lightly, but that was several years ago and she has never bitten anyone. Frieda loves to walk around and check out people. I suspect she thinks she should be running all of these strangers off, but those days are gone for her. Her health goes up and down, it’s up the last week or two, but her arthritis is painful and continuous. She is a great dog in so many ways, she is having a dignified old age.

I am touched by how many people are eager to see her, love to see her. I love bringing her out and walking her around, and it is touching to see these two man-haters coming to more peaceful places in their lives. Here, she and Maria are listening to some poems from the poet Kate Rantilla.