INTERIOR DESIGN by STACY DOWNS
Pets During the Pandemic. They’re happy we’re working from home, and we’re glad they’re the 24-7 office mate we never knew we’d need. Each day, I give thanks for a mutt named Jack who is helping me get through the pandemic. He certainly is cute with his glossy black-and-white coat, confident strut, and upright tail that curves into a C. It’s not just me or my husband or our two sons who think he’s quite fetching. During our daily walks, it’s the three motorists who’ve literally stopped in traffic to shout “good-looking dog!” And the homeowners who’ve run out of their houses to ask about him. And the kids who have asked me if they could, with parental approval, pet this sweet dog. Indeed, it’s a rare day that Jack doesn’t get at least one compliment as we take our usual five-mile trek through parks and neighborhoods. This daily connection to others that Jack provides is a balm to my soul in our new socially and physically distanced world. Ever since last March, when offices and schools went online to remote working and learning, he’s been tail-wagging-ly by my side. Our day starts at 5:30 or 6 a.m. when Jack paws at me to let him outside while I pour him food and water. And soon after, he scratches at our mudroom door to nudge me toward his leash. Sorry/not sorry, Ronald Reagan, but I think Jack is the Great Communicator. When my husband, Richard, and I start lacing up our shoes, Jack goes atwitter, jumping up and down because it signals his favorite time of day: walking time. It’s become the best part of our day, too. Not only are we getting much needed exercise, no matter the weather, in sunshine, wind, rain or snow, we are also listening to audiobooks. One of the things the stress of the pandemic temporarily stole was my ability to read books, my usual favorite solitary past time. But I was too busy worrying about my kids logging onto screens each day to learn, and fretting about my parents going anywhere, even the grocery store, with their health conditions. And I spent my days writing letters and articles about COVID protocols for students, faculty and staff for the university I work for, as well as trying to help
68 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | SPRING 2021
