I was in edits for this book back in February during the great Texas freeze. We lost power for four days and our pipes were frozen, so all we could really do is make a fort of sheets and blankets around the fireplace and sit in it with flashlights. I know that sounds like a major fire hazard, but it was carefully crafted, I swear. I used my laptop to work on revisions until the battery died, and then it was just some long, long days of sitting and staring with no power, internet, TV, heat, etc. Thank God for books.
It’s hard to find anything good about the situation as it was fairly traumatizing and there was nowhere to go to escape it because the whole state was pretty much dark except for pockets here and there on some other power grid. But I’ll say one joyful moment was with my sweet Boston terrier, Spaghetti.
We went to some pet stores the day before the storm hit to find a coat for him, but everyone was out. After trying to chip-clip one of my old puffer vests to his little body, I realized that was not an option because he kicked it off and ran. So, more coat hunting led me to Pet Smart, where they had no coat, but exactly one bunny suit left over from Halloween, and a onesie. So my little trooper wore his bunny suit and let me tie socks to his feet to go outside to potty. So, in the midst of a very tough situation, my husband and I found ourselves laughing until we cried at the sight of him in his little outfit and the put out look on his face.
Besides being outrageously adorable and light of my life, the experience reminded me how amazing and intuitive animals are. He sensed something was different and wrong during those days, and as a high energy dog, he doesn’t mellow very often, but he stayed close and nestled under blankets with us and gave a lot of kisses and just chilled. This is very unlike him, but he just understood, and it was as though he was trying to guard and protect us with all of his twenty-seven pounds.
It was just a lovely reminder on those tough days (not that I needed one) that animals are emotional and intelligent, and truly our greatest gift. We don’t deserve them!
Seraphina Nova Glass is an Assistant Professor of Instruction and Playwright-In-Residence at the University of Texas, Arlington where she teaches Film Studies and Playwriting. She holds an MFA degree in Dramatic Writing from Smith College, and a second MFA in Directing from the University of Idaho. She’s also a screenwriter and award-winning playwright. Seraphina has had the opportunity to travel the world using theatre and film as a teaching tool, living in South Africa, Guam, and Kenya as a volunteer teacher, AIDS relief worker, and documentary filmmaker.
