I just put an old leather glove on the table by the front door. So it won't be forgotten.

It is not a remarkable thing. A thick leather glove for the right hand, it's left-handed mate lost long ago. The stitching is gone on the first finger, exposing the cloth liner. The tip of the leather is actually worn away on the middle and ring fingers, again leaving only the cloth.

The glove used to be light tan. Muleskin. But the palm is polished black with use, and probably old blood from more than one species.

I'm sure there is a little of my own blood there, on the inside.

It is an apparently old and useless object, but today it is important. I do not want to forget it.

This glove has been sitting on the small dresser (yes, I know there is a real name for this furniture, probably french, but I don't know it and I don't care) besides our bed on my side. For years.

And it gets regular use.

Like most heelers, the heeler sisters enjoy playing "bed monster." You snake your hand around under the covers, and they pounce on and attack it. Snarling viciously all the while. And occassionally digging furiously to uncover the monster. You dare not do this with just sheets or just the comforter. They really get into this, and will draw blood. You need all the covers you can get.

And on some days, that is not enough. Somedays they really need to let their instincts out.

That is when they pause and look at the glove.

For when you put on the glove and snake your hand under the covers, all bets are off. The teeth nip hard, still sometimes pinching skin and drawing blood. The masked heeler especially enjoys hearing my hand bones pop in her mouth.

It is enough to make you frightened of wolf packs. Or a pack of dingos.

But I just called the vet. The surgery went fine, she is recovering well. They want to keep her for a couple days, but we can visit this afternoon.

Almost scared to see her. They shave a hell of a lot off for animal surgeries. When I asked if they would go through the top or the belly, the answer was it depends on where the pelvis is broken. Along the back, it is through the hip. If the pubis is broken, they go in through the belly.

She broke the back part in two places, and broke the pubis. So they will probably have to go in both places.

Poor heeler.

Poor half-naked heeler.

Wife and I thought it would be good to leave her something from home. But she has no favorite toys (she eats them). Just me, her chew toy.

Hence the glove.