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By James Gardner

Clark County Public Library

I’m not sure how it happened, but I ended up with a menagerie at my house. Menageries rarely, if ever, show up fully made at someone’s house unless it involves a circus train breaking down near that person’s house. My menagerie started with one animal and then others came, each bringing their own unique personalities to the household, from Ollie the Scotch collie’s eagerness to bark to Ravioli and Rigatoni’s eagerness to do whatever guinea pigs do when no one’s watching them. One of our menagerie is a bearded collie. She also happens to be a wise old lady who sits with her paws crossed in a ladylike fashion when she’s not raiding the trash can for banana peels. I think of her as Helen Mirren playing a master criminal: elegant, worldly, and sometimes eager to commit crimes.

Daphne is, for all intents and purposes, my wife’s dog. She was the one who chose Daphne, even as my wife insists that Daphne chose us. I was thinking at the time that Daphne was a medium-sized dog, not like the canine/horse combo that is the Great Dane, but a larger dog than what I was used to. Most of the dogs my family owned were smaller dogs like Boston terriers, a breed whose flatulence was so potent it seemed like a natural defense system, very much like the skunk’s noxious aroma. I wondered if we could actually take care of such a dog.

But it can be rather hard to tell my wife no, once she sets her mind to something (it’s also incidentally one of the many reasons I love her). Daphne came to live with us, and it was an adjustment. Daphne came with her own set of problems. She wasn’t friendly with other dogs, so dog parks with other dogs were out. She had shaggy fur that needed a lot of attention and that tended to shed everywhere. Her breed is also a herding breed, which translates as headbutting smaller children, mainly my nieces and nephews, to get them going in a certain direction. And did I mention that she digs in the trash?

But Daphne has also brought us much love. She has never been shy about letting our family know she needs to be petted. She sits by us on the couch or in the floor, an ever-faithful companion. And there is a certain joy I see in watching her “Beardie Bounce,” a dance she does when her dog food is on the way. I am also very aware, like my wife, that Daphne doesn’t bounce the way she used to. Even when she walks, I see that there is not as much spring in her step. She has learned to tolerate our younger dog, Ollie and has come to rely on his barking to let her know when she’s to bark (forget telling her that she doesn’t need to bark at all). Seeing Daphne now makes me sad because I know she might not be with us much longer, but it also makes me grateful for the time she was able to spend with us, thanks to the animal shelter that kept her before she could find her forever home.

December is Operation Santa Paws month, a month designed to help animals like Daphne. The month has reminded me not only of the love and attention these animals need but of the love that they provide to owners, mercurial as it sometimes seems. I don’t regret getting any of my animals, even Ollie, who seems to bark for the simple joy of barking. If you’re looking to start a menagerie or just want a furry friend, now is the time to visit your local animal shelter and find a furry friend who needs you. Sadly, the holidays are a time when puppies are given as gifts without realizing the responsibility it entails, and these dogs, especially as their puppy cuteness fades, are given away to shelters (something that might have happened to Daphne, for all that my wife and I know). If you can’t afford a pet right now, there are still plenty of ways to give, like donating your time to an animal shelter or donating supplies like pet food and toys. I’ll probably be petting one of my animals while reminding myself that time with them is precious.

Come enjoy these programs at the library as December begins:

On Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 6 pm, the library’s writing group Write Out There! has its monthly meeting. James Gardner welcomes writers of all kinds to get some awesome writing prompts to get you started and we can also do workshops where other writers can share their work and get feedback. Bring anything you’re working on, or just bring paper, pencil, or laptop to do some writing and have some fun.

On Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 2 pm, the Kentucky Picture Show features a biographical film starring Geoffrey Rush as pianist David Helfgott. Driven by his father and teachers, Helfgott has a breakdown. Years later he returns to the piano, to popular if not critical acclaim. Rated PG-13. Popcorn and snacks will be provided.

On Thursday, Nov. 30, at 6 pm, the library invites you to Make Your Own Hot Cocoa Mix. This program will have you not only spending the evening sipping hot cocoa but you can also learn to make your own special blend to take home and use during cold winter evenings. Please register to attend by calling the library at (859) 744-5661 or sign up using Evanced.