The world is an uncertain place, but it’s pretty great for all of that

By Strider the Dog

Dear Strider,

With all the things happening in the world today, with our country on fire, do you really think having a dog advice column in our newspaper helps anything? I can’t believe I’m even writing this to a dog. SMH.

Don’t you know the world is on fire?

— Fired Up

Dear Fired,

Gosh, this one kind of took me aback. Let me see if I can figure out what you’re objecting to. Is it that I’m a dog? I’m so sorry I can’t help with that one. Maybe you think I’m taking up space that otherwise would be dedicated to city council reports, or even pleas for world peace? I asked my editor about that, and he laughed, saying no, there wouldn’t be anything in this space if “Ask Strider” wasn’t.

Then I thought hard about why you even would notice I was here, having my dog advice column. Why you even would have read it, if it wasn’t something you thought people should want to read. I began to wonder if maybe being upset about something makes you feel good. I get that. When I am sad because I’m left alone in the car, it really helps me to bark at someone walking by. I don’t know why, but it does.

So maybe, I’m figuring, this is you barking at me to make yourself feel better? If so, happy to help. I know you didn’t ask for any advice, but just in case you wouldn’t mind, may I say that if you don’t have a dog already, maybe you should head to FOTAS or Sanctuary One or Rescue Ranch and find a new best friend. I say this because whenever Tod looks anxious, or worried, or angry when she’s reading on her phone, if I put my head on her lap, she relaxes. Maybe that would help?

Sorry for the unsolicited advice. But I am an advice columnist after all.

Just saying.

Dear Strider,

I understand that you live in the Wildland Urban Interface, right up against a forest. Does that worry you? Are you afraid of your house and trees, especially the Old Cedar Tree, being burned down in a forest fire? Not that I want to upset you, I’m just curious if you’ve given the danger any thought.

— Fire Safe

Dear Fire,

That’s a good question. Yes, indeed, not only do we live against a forest, we live in a forest. Our forest is where the Old Cedar Tree lives, along with a lot of other old trees. Tod explained to me that they live here because of a very enlightened law a long time ago that said you couldn’t log next to a stream. The Old Cedar Tree tells me stories about fires that passed through long before our house was here. They and the other old trees stood firm as the fire passed. I’m glad for that.

It’s true, though, that even though my friends the old growth trees would survive a fire, our house, my dog beds, and all my dog toys would not. And it’s true that could happen. We’ve belonged for a long time to our volunteer fire department, and every time there is a call, Woody and I cheer on our other guardian, Alex, as he suits up and heads down the drive to be picked up. If it seems dangerous, Tod packs us and all our emergency stuff into the car and drives away. So we’re as taken care of as we can be. It’s an uncertain world, but you can take certain precautions, is what I’m saying.

Thanks for asking.

And I have to say, even living in an uncertain world is pretty great. It certainly beats the alternative.

Worried about the world? Angry? Frustrated? Just want to blow off steam? Why not trust that our advice columnist has your back? Send your comments and questions to [email protected] .