Benji’s favorite
I’ve given up hoping to compete with Jeanetta for our taco terrier Benji’s adoration. I’ll forever just be his best buddy who pets and showers him with “good boy.”
I also open the patio door to let him out when he comes to stare at me longingly, then I’m up 15 minutes later to let him back in. I regularly rub his ears and give him occasional treats. What dog wouldn’t be overwhelmed with such appreciation?
So I can’t possibly understand why she’s become his favorite. I mean all Jeanetta does is take him on his eagerly anticipated daily walks, and bring him a scoop of frozen yogurt at bedtime along with unsalted cashews. He cuddles up so close to her at night she’s almost forced off the bed.
When he gets burs in his fur, she methodically works each one out while calming him in a motherly voice. She uses a particular brush to regularly groom his coat. She drives him over to see his girlfriend Lulu and buys cheap steak for the meals she regularly serves him (notice I said cheap).
When she gives him baths, she throws in a back massage, paying particular attention to his weary shoulders.
Even though we have matching recliners, our boy chooses the same spot beside her every night. If she moves to the sofa, he follows close on her heels. If she leaves the room, his ears stay alert for her every move.
As bedtime approaches, he jumps in her lap for his kissy, kissy, mommy ritual which is his way of saying he’s ready for bed. And what does she do? Goes to bed.
Not that it would matter to him, but it was his dad’s idea to visit the pound for a dog, since she said she didn’t want one.
A COLD-BLOODED KILLING
Much of the nation and world watched the horrible video of 64-year-old retired California police chief Andreas “Andy” Probst being run over from behind and killed last month as he leisurely pedaled his bicycle in the bike lane at 6 a.m. along a parkway in Las Vegas.
Jesus Ayala, the alleged 18-year-old driver of the car, who reportedly was 17 at the time of what had been described as a crime spree, now faces 18 charges as an adult including murder, attempted murder, battery with use of a deadly weapon, leaving the scene of an accident, and numerous larceny and burglary charges, according to ABC affiliate 8 News Now.
Second suspect Jzamir Keys, 16, allegedly made a video recording of himself and Ayala gleefully discussing their impromptu plan to run Probst over. Keys faces murder, attempted murder and battery charges.
Anyone else feel, after news about violence among many younger people in major cities, like evil has been set free across the land? What lies in the hearts, souls and minds of anyone that would make them want to run over and kill an innocent cyclist?
And now the question becomes what the just consequence is for such a heinous murder. Life without parole? In this upside-down country today, it’s not that far-fetched to wonder if they will be prosecute.
The news station said its reporter contacted Ayala’s mother by phone who said, “I don’t know why he did this. I don’t know if God can forgive this.” I can only imagine the heartache she’s endured.
Keys was taken into custody Sept. 19. The station reported its 8 News Now Investigators “reached out to his mother by phone. She initially hung up and then responded to a text message stating her family was not making any statements or addressing any accusations without their legal team. ‘My son’s side of the story will be told, the truth, not the inaccuracies the media will try to portray,’ the text read.”
At a news conference, the station reported, police said the two teens “were involved in a crime spree starting with a hit and run of another cyclist. The 72-year-old man survived. Police said they believed Keys was the driver at that time. In the video recorded by the passenger, the teens are seen hitting another car on the road moments before hitting and killing Probst. The teens had stolen four cars that day, police said.”
The station reported that the accused driver, Ayala, has a lengthy record in the juvenile system. “As for Jzamir Keys, the accused passenger, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned he was in the child welfare system at 8 years old. His mother was charged with five counts of child abuse in 2016, according to court documents. Police said they found her five children, ages 2 to 9 years old, home alone without access to food, a knife left on a kitchen counter, and the house in poor condition.
“Neighbors reported witnessing the children left alone for extended periods,” 8 News Now reported. “The mother said that she couldn’t find child care while she worked. She pleaded guilty to gross misdemeanor child abuse. She later withdrew her plea after successfully completing terms of probation and received a conviction for misdemeanor disorderly conduct.,”
My admiration goes out to the investigative team at 8 News Now who took the initiative necessary to bring viewers a compelling and thorough important local story.