Punny yoga

The class was taking too long. “Pull your spine towards the ceiling and feel tall like a tree.” I feel like a Christmas tree in April.

“Warrior pose. Be a fierce leader.” A liter of coffee would be delightful, thank you!

Now we are sitting down on the mat. “Imagine yourself as a boat. Breathe in as you are pushed out into the water and you float away calmly.” I can do that easily when I’m in the Dead Sea.

“Lie down and cross your ankles.” Hey left ankle, are you looking at me? Stop knocking about right ankle!

Monotony

I’m watching two robins boisterously fighting for a foothold over the birdbath and one bird gets shoved into the icy water.

I sigh. So boring.

They fly off and its empty again.

After some time the doorbell rings, startling me. I grab my biggest coat that covers everything and try to appear cool. I count to 12, open the door and wave thanks to the delivery man. Gathering up the packages, I bring them inside, arranging them by size. I smile in delight, awaiting an afternoon of opening gifts from far away warehouses, small businesses and distant lands.

The Life of Tau Bear: 13 Dec 2007 to 28 March 2021

28 March 2021 at around 8pm. Tau bear crossed over the rainbow bridge.

Tau's favorite activities were to eat and explore. And he did that with gusto, unapologetically demanding to be included in everything. Tau went on a road trip to Cape Point, Cape Town, South Africa, and munched his dinner in a car park. He ran around the sandy beaches of Cape Town but refused to venture near the water. He also made me chase him down Long Street one Sunday afternoon and thankfully eventually stopped when his path was blocked by a helpful restauranteur.

From Cape Town, Tau moved to Pietersburg, South Africa. Here, Tau was a companion, guard dog and a greedy pig, often fighting with Tipsy to get the final lick of the dinner bowl. His diet changed to pap, chicken and fish, curry leaves, coriander leaves, spinach and other food items which he gobbled down without even bothering to sniff first. He sun bathed a lot and refused to get even a little wet, so he stank of Eau de Tau. 

Tau's next move brought him to New Jersey, USA. One week after his arrival we went to Cape May, forcing Dart to get used to him in close quarters, very very quickly. Tau occupied space like he had always lived with us. He became my 'shadow from a distance' - always somewhere near me but not right by my side. He was my companion during the late nights in the kitchen. He hung around the doorway while I was in the bedroom. He would come and sleep at the foot of my bed when I slept in in the mornings. He tolerated baths from me. Tau's meals changed to fresh dog food because his teeth were pretty worn - these became his favorite! So much that he would whine to get his dinner and that whining would start at 6:30pm and over time moved to 5pm then 4pm then 3:30pm...

Adventure is in Tau's blood, so his next life journey was to Guildford, UK. This was the second part his retired life. Mornings were by my bed or upstairs in the loft while the kids learnt. Afternoons were walks in the field or exploring the bushes. Evenings were spent keeping an eye on me from the corridor or in the kitchen trying to trip me up while I cooked - he won twice. Every night when I was done downstairs, I would call him to go to bed.

Tau was my favorite snoring, farting, tag playing buddy and I was devastated when a medical emergency, risky intensive surgery and old age caught up with him. Now, I imagine him healthy and happy, running around some fields in the sun, forever and always the handsomest doggy. RIP Tau Bear. I love you very very much.