Chuck Hassler

I share an excerpt of a conversation with Helmut, my canine buddy.

Helmut: What’s the matter with you, dad? You look kind of sad and droopy. Your tail’s down.

Me: I’m alright, bud. Just a little sad thinking about all the people in my life I loved who are gone and how I’m kind of waiting my turn. You know, morose grandpa thoughts. And I’m a little worried about my kids and my grandkids. As the species currently in charge of things, we’re not doing that great at managing even getting along with each other, let alone looking out for the rest of the planet.

Helmut: It’s nice and cool this morning and the smoke is gone. There’s a nice breeze to slow the mosquitoes. I’ve found two pheasants, solid evidence of plenty more, and told you once again that coon is in that hollow in the tree, making fun of us. Disrespecting us. If you go home and get the aluminum ladder, crawl up there and reach in and grab him and toss him down to me, we can have a real hootenanny!

Me: I am not in the mood to get chewed on by a coon and then get rabies shots or whatever. But your point is well taken. Right now is where my life is happening, and I need to concentrate on making it count.

Helmut: I guess that means more backpacking trips and day hikes in places where dogs are welcome, more bird hunting adventures, more barbecues. And you know as well as I do, dad, that all those people aren’t gone; they’re just in your heart now.

Me: Well, you know the sadness I sometimes feel isn’t necessarily all bad. There’s a sweetness to the memories that evolves with time. I wouldn’t have missed a moment of it, my vida loca.

Helmut: You miss pheasants sometimes, and you always cuss when you do.

Me: I miss birds sometimes, and I mess up in life a lot. That’s who I am and how I roll. I wish I was less reactive. But the point is to keep trying, like you do, Helmut!

Helmut: Sorry to step out of this enlightening conversation, but there’s some smelly stuff that’s very gamey that we need to investigate. I’m on it.

Me:  You investigate and I’ll watch. If you find something, stand stock still like a statue till I get there.

Helmut: That’s not really funny, dad. Kind of disrespectful. I know how to do my job better than you know how to do yours.

Me: That’s true, Helmut. But I’m retired. I don’t really have a job, other than navigating my way through old age.

Helmut: I think it’s time for breakfast. That’s your job! Make breakfast!