I always called it Lenore’s couch, it sits behind me in my study, a beautiful old Victorian couch I had refurbished when I was flush, Maria sat on it when we first met in Hebron.

When we got here, Lenore took it over, I had a giant painting of her hanging over it, and she loved to snore there while I worked. Sweet Lenore, the Love Dog, died a couple of years ago and I moved her painting out into the living room and replaced it with a board poster of Lou Jacobs, the great Ringling Bros. clown I loved so much.

Mostly, I have used the couch to store my camera bags and equipment.  My study is a chaotic nightmare, like my mind.

Yesterday, I cleaned off the center, thinking Gus might consider using it and keep the tradition alive. He also loves to snooze behind me while I write.

This morning, Maria came into the study and said “well, look who’s here.” Gus picked right up on it and has been dozing up there all morning, lording it over Red and Fate, who sleep on the floor. He is not a dog to pass up a soft spot on a couch or chair, even thought he is strictly forbidden to go on the furniture.

So I guess it’s Gus’s couch now. Thanks to you, Lenore, you wonderful girl, you kept love alive for me when I most needed it, and I will never forget about you.