Getting Back to What is Now Normal

First of all. I live in New York, and yes, I'm OK. I was watching TV, yes, dogs watch TV, and I saw everything after the first plane hit the first World Trade Center tower. So everybody at CreakyJoints is ok, including the ones who feed me.

Second, we are getting on with our lives. It's still hard to believe it happened, but we're moving ahead with our usual daily activities, and I think maybe the rest of country doesn't see that when they watch the 24-hour news coverage. We are not all standing around soot-covered and dazed.

Third, I've stopped watching TV all the time. I set aside about an hour a day to catch up on what's happening, and that's it. I was getting too wound up in it all. I recommend this to anyone who is feeling depressed about this situation. Turn off the TV.

Fourth, the mayor of New York City, Rudolph Giuliani, has been absolutely superb. He is the right person for this crisis, and although he has never done anything for my creaky joints, and I so didn't tend to like him, he gets four paws up for handling this incredible catastrophe.

Fifth, New Yorkers have once again proven that they are not uncaring, unfriendly people. We may not take more than a quick sniff of each other as we pass on the streets, but when disaster strikes we are there for each other.

Sixth, I need a vacation, but the thought of air travel is absolutely frightening -- that small, kennel in the dark, cold belly of the plane and all. You would think that after all this time, they would come up with a better way for us dogs to fly.