Inga M. Beck

Being a writer is a lonely job a lot of the time. Moreover, in my own experience, as I spend most of my time with my head in some imaginary worlds with imaginary people where I alone hold the power of taking and granting life at the blink of an eye, I tend to forget the real world a bit. I forget to eat, drink and be merry. Especially when I am procrastinating by doing everything else that I don’t have to do at all.

Procrastination is often the result of fear. Writing is scary because a lot of the time all you write is useless crap and very few people actually manage to make a living of it. And yet we do it, after hours of organizing sock drawers, alphabetizing our CD collection or cleaning dark and dusty kitchen cupboards, we write, stubbornly, clawing our way through difficult passages, plots and personae.

And of course we are in constant need of approval, someone who says “hey, this shit’s pretty good, you should do more of this” or something to that effect.

Obviously we are a needy bunch. Some rely on spouses or maybe other family members. I went for the dog option. (said dog is at this moment murdering a colourful knitted sock I gave her with great vivacity)

It has only been just over a month but I feel this was the right decision for me. Here I have one who always has faith in me. She always wants to spend time with me. She reminds me that I have to eat and drink, she makes sure I get plenty of fresh air and some exercise, she drags me out of the house more than once a day. Most of all she accepts me for who and what I am and shows me that I can in fact (as needy a writer as I am) put others needs ahead of my own.

Since I got my dog I have been reminded of my love for late night walks. I remember as a kid, living at the farm, when I would have to walk home after feeding the chickens in the evening, how I loved lying down on the frozen ground in winter or in soft snow and stare at a starry sky and sometimes the northern lights. Since leaving home that simple pleasure was all but lost to me. Most of the cold winter evenings were spent in front of a TV or computer screen, sometimes over a book while the stars shone and northern lights danced without me ever seeing them. I believe in the last month I’ve seen more stars and northern lights than in the last 10 years combined.

Moreover, I don’t feel dread anymore when returning home alone after perhaps a long day at the library, or sitting somewhere writing with someone who inspires me, or just alone at a cafe, because there will be someone waiting for me. Someone who is always happy to see me. And I don’t feel as restless anymore. My dog is there as my number one cheerleader.

Now before I get completely sappy, I want to end with 6 points I want to quote from this article I found on The Post and Courier’s website (http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20121208/PC12/121209498) (there’s actually 10 of them but I like these the best)

– “The dog understands why someone might stare off into space for several hours. He won’t think you’re crazy.”

She also makes me feel less crazy when I’m talking to myself because I can disguise it as a talk with her… but of course, to some, that is just as crazy.

– “The dog believes you’re doing something important.”

– “The dog doesn’t mind frequent breaks for snacks.”

In fact, she encourages them.

– “When you read a passage to the dog, he’ll say “I love that!” with his eyes.”

– “Unlike a cat, he won’t say “I don’t get it.” ”

THAT I think is VERY important, I’m already my worst critic, I don’t need a cat criticizing me as well!”

– “The dog will keep your feet warm while you write.”

Mmmmmm yes, as one who almost always has cold toes, this is a VERY good point!

 

I’ll let this be enough for now. I’m sure I will be talking more about my dog later 😉

until next time…