Creative writing submission from the Rest Less community – submit your entry here.
I’ve been extremely lucky the last two winters and haven’t suffered so much as a cold, but this year I appear to have fallen foul to every bug going. Before Christmas, I fell prey to what I believe was norovirus, with both ends going at once. I felt wiped out and nauseous for well over a week. Thankfully, I managed to be hale and hearty for Christmas so that I could go to my friends for a wonderful lunch with my sausage dogs, Willow and Bear.
The sausages wore their new Christmas harnesses and collars in rich, plush burgundy and emerald velvet and I also wore a plum velvet dress so that we were all suitably attired. On reaching our destination, my friend’s dog, Zelda, greeted us all warmly, she too wearing a Christmas ribbon/bow on her collar and looking, as always, utterly beautiful.
The company and food were excellent, as was the whole day, and I was so pleased and proud of Willow and Bear who behaved impeccably. I confess, I’d been concerned that Bear might just forget himself and cock his leg up on the Christmas tree as he has a habit of marking new territory. But my friend Kate was very chilled about it all and, with views much like my own, brushed it off with: “If he does, he does, we’ll just clean it up!” He didn’t!
Also, Willow can be a bit snippy (motivated largely by fear and insecurity), but she too was chilled and I put it all down to Zelda who was the perfect host, greeting them warmly, covering pees in the garden, and giving them space when they were unsure or overwhelmed. All the dogs also had Christmas dinner with all the trimmings (pigs in blankets for pigs in blankets!) and after lunch, both sausages shared their favours, falling asleep on various laps as presents were opened. Bear even won someone over who very definitely ‘isn’t a doggy person’ – she sat quietly stroking his rounded, full tummy as he snuggled in beside her snoring. Miracles can happen!
On the present opening front, I’d been given something that I’d seen and lusted over online but had no idea I’d receive. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I was given a large box and, on opening it, discovered a life-sized, gold, Dachshund table lamp, with a large bulb in his mouth. He’s wonderful and, surprisingly, exactly the same size as Willow! I haven’t named him yet but he’ll need something he can live up to. In my garden, I have a plant stand called Robert and a plastic crow that appeared on my doorstep after one Halloween that I’ve called Nigel. After all, everything deserves a name.
Anyway, after Christmas, I fell foul of yet another virus which I fear may have been a gift from the anti-dog person who was coughing and spluttering over us in the car on the way there. This one is akin to a severe cold. A really irritating cough, horribly snotty nose, no appetite, intermittent fever, and a chest infection with complete loss of taste and smell. Yes, I’ve had the same thought…
That said, I’m fine. I’m getting better and have been able to take the doglets out daily (except for one day when I just couldn’t). As always when unwell, I focus on building up my immune system by taking a Barocca daily, eating chicken soup, and, this time, having a strong, pure ginger shot each day.
Now, it’s this very strong ginger shot that’s the focus of my story today. As I said, I’m still not able to taste anything, but as I keep this drink in the fridge all the time, I know just how strong it is. Yesterday evening I poured myself a shot and took it into the sitting room, popping it on the table beside me. As I went to shut the door, a certain small Bear (who never misses an opportunity) leapt out of his snuggle sack and over to the glass I’d just put down. Knowing what he’d do and before I could warn him, he’d leant over and stuck his tongue into the glass as I quickly opened my camera (I know, I know, bad mother!).
He took two enormous laps straight out of the glass whereupon he began to cough, choke, stagger about, and splutter dramatically. Laughing (I’m afraid), I called to him: “Didn’t you like it Bear? Well that’ll teach you, won’t it!” (It won’t, this is Bear we’re talking about!) Whereupon, he lay down dramatically on his side as if felled, murdered by ginger!
Standing over him, I gently prodded him. He didn’t move so I leant forward and kissed his little nose which instantly revived him. Gathering him into my arms, I couldn’t stop laughing as he padded up my chest, tail spinning, and kissed my face with gingery licks….what a little pickle! As I reassured him that I wasn’t in the least bit cross, he leapt down and did a lap of the sitting room, chasing Willow who’d popped in to see what all the fuss was about.
I’m feeling better and perhaps it did boost his immune system, too, considering he got the zoomies after, but who knows? Has it stopped him from sticking his cheeky little snout into my cup/glass? Of course not! I walked into my bedroom only this morning to find him drinking my tea, even though it was still piping hot. Ah well!
Are you feeling creative? We are proud to have a hugely talented community on Rest Less, which is why we’re so excited to open up a section of the site dedicated to showcasing the wonderful and diverse writing of our members. If you have a piece of creative writing that you’d like to share with the Rest Less community – you can do so here.