Am I losing my mind?

I found my gloves in the freezer last week. Yeah, I have no idea.
 
When you’re in your 60s and you forget your friend’s last name, or you miscount your cribbage score, or you find your gloves in the freezer, you do start to wonder if dementia might be setting in. But then I remind myself that I had similar moments when I was much younger and sleep-deprived, or pregnant, or juggling ten thousand tasks with a deadline of tomorrow. I’m guessing it’s just the holiday craze. I am distracted.
 
Daisy is patient with me but relentless. She’ll appear in the kitchen with a ball in her mouth, which she flings around temptingly (she hopes). When that doesn’t work she’ll try putting the ball in my lap, which I often fail to notice for several minutes, when I shift position and it falls to the floor.
 
She has figured out that if she brings me a scrap of some old, shredded squeak toy (see photo), it stays in my lap longer. Finally I notice the scrap, look up at Daisy’s hopeful eyes, and play tug for a minute or two before I disappear into my head again. But I’m smiling now.
 
I’m so glad she’s there to remind me. When I’m scattered enough to dump my gloves into the freezer with the groceries (I assume that’s what happened; I didn’t find any ice cream in the coat closet), it’s time to stop and play.
 
I don’t think I’m losing my mind, but I’m losing track of what’s right in front of me – dogs, people, beautiful music, a quiet snowfall. During this busy holiday season, here’s wishing you all the gifts that Daisy brings me:

• a reminder to stop and pay attention to what’s right beside you
• an invitation to play
• a friendly wag

 
Also – pro tip: if you can’t find your gloves, try the freezer.