A week ago today, last Thursday, was May 17th or Syttende Mai, as it is in Norwegian.
Syttende Mai is an important day in Norway for it is their Constitution Day. In 1814, the constitution declared Norway as an independent nation, independent from Sweden. (Take that, Sweden!) Growing up in a Scandinavian community and in a Norwegian family, this was always a noted day. NORGE!!!
Because it was Syttende Mai, I had a spring in my step. Well, I can’t say that: I was a hurtin’ but I still had to walk Trond and go to the bank. So, these two Norskies headed over to the bank on a beautiful sun-filled morning. I was happy it was Syttende Mai and Trond was happy because he found a tennis ball! We all know what joy that brings to the dingus. He had the tennis ball in his mouth and we had to cross a rather busy street with no light. We were able to run across the street due to a quick break in traffic. A middle-aged woman (who did not have her turn signal on) almost hit us with her car. It was an honest mistake and I could tell she felt bad. Trond and I were totally fine but he did drop his ball in the middle of Lincoln Avenue. I was not about to go back into traffic to get it. Plus, we were just outside the lobby of the bank - where there are dog treats to be had - so he was fine.
I am making my deposit. Trond is sitting obediently at my feet, drooling, because he knows that if he sits well in the bank lobby, he gets a treat. Neither of us noticed that someone else had entered the lobby until she said, “I think your puppy lost this.”
It was the woman who almost hit us with her car and she had Trond’s tennis ball in her hand! She went into the street to get it for him! He perked up and she threw it to him. The hund was elated! Chasing the ball around in the Chase bank lobby. She said, “It’s such a simple thing but it brings him so much joy. I wish I had something like that.”
I thanked her and thanked her for bringing in the ball. She made her deposit and left. I wanted to wish her a happy Syttende Mai and thank her for making a Syttende Mai Miracle happen but… I didn’t.
Trond played a bit but then I asked him to sit.
His good behavior earned him a treat from the bank. I broke it in half and gave half of it to him outside the lobby. We walked home.
I gave him the other half of the treat. He has to leave any gross tennis balls he finds outside on the front step - none of that frothy, questionable business in the house, please!
Tusen Takk, Trond!
It was a great beginning to Syttende Mai. On this day of Independence, the hund and I are quite thankful for all of the Independence we have! Tusen Takk!
