I am constantly reminded that just because I have eyes, it doesn’t mean I can see. I wrote often of my struggles to find friends and keep them, yet this week, I have also been reminded that I do have friends, good ones, more than I have ever had.

It is, I suppose a matter of expectations and definitions. I’m going to do a trial run this morning of my idea for a new and intelligent radio call-in show about dogs on WBTN (1370), a struggling community radio station in Bennington, Vt.

it’s a call-in show, but I don’t expect many calls the first time, so I mentioned on the blog that people could e-mail me their questions about dogs and cats and other animals, so that I would have a lot of things to talk about.

This morning, my inbox was crammed with good, intelligent, interesting and thought questions about dogs and pets?

Deb wrote asking about dogs and vaccinations; Luanne wanted help in stopping her dog from chasing their cat around the house; Susan asked about dog breeding; A.L. wanted to know my thoughts about getting a new dog when there is an older one in the house; Cynthia wants to know what I think are “essential” commands for a dog; Susan asked about calming train, what is it and is it good for a puppy; Linda asked the best way to introduce a new dog into the household (a second dog); Sharon was upset to find landlords reluctant to allow pets in their apartments; Mary Jean’s dog likes to run, but doesn’t like to come back, she wants to know how to do that; Jackie has a dog that barks at other dogs.

There were a lot more, so many I’ve decided to write a weekly column here on the blog answering one question each week, assuming I can’t get to all of them on the radio. I think I have the right idea here, whether it works out on the radio station or not. And I hope it will.

It seems I do have a lot of friends, and they are good friends, and I am foolish and myopic not recognize that. I don’t have to touch them to see them.

As I go into the radio station, I know there are people behind me, people rooting for me, sending me questions, even calling me. Thomas Lawrence Toscano, the stations’ Executive Director, will be joining me to help figure out the stations vintage equipment.

I’m bringing two of my favorite reference books, Pets And Human Development, a classic by Dr. Boris Levinson, and Domestic Pets by James Serpell of the University Of Pennsylvania.

Our world is changing, and so is the very idea of friendship. So in a few minutes, Red and I will head out on this new adventure, my life is full of new adventures, just the way I like it.

I even heard from a possible sponsor this morning, someone who is starting a company to market CBD oil for animals, dogs and horses. Sounds like a perfect fit.

The station is WBTNAM, a community radio station. You can live stream my program,  just click on “live,” it’s on from 11 a.m. to noon today, You can also call questions in to me: 866 406, 9286 (802 442 1010 if you’re in the listening area.)

The show will be repeated at 5 p.m. tonight.

Thanks for your friendship. It means a lot to me.