I lose items just like everyone does. The thing is though, that very rarely have I lost anything for good. I go back looking where I think I might have left the item and the item is there. Or someone is looking for me so he/she can return the item, or the"lost" item has been put away for my eventual return- that would be in the case of places I frequent often. I am telling this story this week as I have had several losses and returns over the last week. Liam seems to lose things also; in his case, he might actually deliberately lose his item in order to experience the joy of finding it again. We thought we had seen the last of his muddy tennis ball but recently he came running in from the outside with it and happily plopped it down, all slimy, moldy and mildewed. I do understand Liam's leaping elation
upon unearthing his treasures 
from the yard
from under the couch
from in between the seat cushions 
When I recover a "lost" item, all the feelings of terror, desperation, fright, sadness, and self loathing vanish and I feel wonderful. A cheap thrill. Am I addicted to that "high" of the reunion with my lost item? I worry a bit that revelations of how often I leave/lose things will tarnish my stellar reputation of having a good memory. I already am prepared with the explanation: I have too much going on in my brain and am always thinking of what's next, not what has happened. I also get more focused on whom I am with, not what is with me. Sound like good reasons. Hm mm. Maybe some blarney there, but all makes for a good story. Below are some lost/found items and their stories. Judge for yourself what might be at work here.Handbag losses and returns- 100 %.
1-Left in the Fresh Meadows Movie Theater, returned several hours later, bag was in the seat.
2- Left in the cafeteria at work, picked up and returned by a fellow manager friend.
3- Left at the Hudson River overlook, see it by the column
in Hyde Park at the CIA (Culinary Institute), several people came after me, and a family guarded it until I made my way back to it They said by its weight they knew it would have been a grievous loss. And this past weekend, 4-left in pizzeria -still there when we returned. This one was eerie though, as I had just announced to Paul that my next blog story for LiamLicks was how I never really lose anything. He said "good, you have your story." I remember thinking as we entered the restaurant that I should leave my bag in the car. Wait, I'll treat, need the bag. When Paul took out his wallet, I put mine away. And why did I not remember I was carrying a bag? Easy. I picked up the garbage to discard, if I have something in my hand it displaces all memory of what I carried in, I now have something in my hand, so garbage=handbag. Well we arrived home, I scream "Where is my bag?" 
Paul really thought I was kidding; like I was purposefully doing a dry run for my LiamLicks story. We zoomed back- there it was in the seat next to where we had been sitting.Average time apart for each loss= one half hour to several hours.
Wallet- returns 100%
1-Library- Only knew it was at the library when they left repeated messages to call them. I only called when they finally left a message as to why they were calling.
time apart=4 days
2-This wallet loss occurred during Christmas week in the early part of this century. I had a brown wallet
I like the color brown. The week between Christmas and New Year's-was, as usual, a busy week of visiting friends and exchanging gifts. I was going to work also, doing my socializing at night. I was at work Thursday, and realized my wallet was not in my bag. At break I walked over to the garage thinking it had popped out there. Nothing. So when did I last have it? How many places had I been that week? And in it were credit cards, health insurance cards, membership cards and the worst, my license. Ugg, this was bad. The following day, Friday, I retraced my steps; back to Whole Foods in Manhasset, Bed Bath and Beyond, nothing. Not in the car either. Why didn't I cancel my credit cards and start the driver's license replacement process? I never really lose anything permanently and the amount of work to replace the items would be tortuous. Nevertheless, this was a dangerous chance as I was already in Day 2 of its loss and possibly more. I set a deadline for Saturday for the arduous task of canceling the cards, replacing my license, etc. Paul and I were both off that day, Friday-a snow storm was expected later in the day and we were getting errands done separately. Paul arrives home from one of his errands and calls to me from downstairs. " I found your wallet, it was on the front lawn." What! How? When? The wallet is brown, we do not have a lawn we have wood chips.
They are brown. Wallet was nestled in the wood chips. No passersby would have spotted it. Must have fell out of my handbag onto the lawn, and blended right in. An hour later snow started falling. The wood-chipped lawn was covered with 7 inches of snow by nightfall. My wallet had been discovered just in time.time apart=at least 3 days
Jewelry- bracelet, necklace, watch
as modeled by our Vermont Teddy bear ( name has been lost)Necklace, gift- a loose clasp had me living dangerously for several year's of wearing. And then it happened. It was gone. I had no memory of the cold tingly feeling of it slipping away, no sound of clunking on the ground; it was just not around my neck anymore. I realized it while walking into King Kullen
with my mother, Ruth. We were on our way back from picking her up at the airport and were stopping for supplies, a tradition. I did not mention it as I did not want to start the visit on a negative note. We got our groceries and are walking back to the car, when I see it, Oh, there is my necklace. Yes, in the parking lot, on the ground. Whew! Have I fixed the clasp? No.Time apart=unknown
Bracelet- worn to Doctor's office. A careless decision as jewelry always interferes with the exam. I had it on upon arrival. I did not when I returned home. I went back. It was turned in. to the front desk.
Time apart=one hour
Watch- a Retirement gift, a really classy watch. I had worn it all year and had it on for my Christmas trip to the city to see the play, Spamalot. I know it was on during intermission, as I checked the time. After the play ended I walked downtown to 34th street/Penn and got the train back to NHP. I glanced at my wrist to check the trains' progress and NO WATCH!!!! Where is my beloved watch?? In the theater, on 8th avenue, at Penn? Oh forget it! it is gone.
The conductor announces my Station, NHP. I gathered my things, leave my seat, and start walking towards the door. My eye catches an object on the floor. My watch. Yay.
Time apart=unknown
Keys- the catalyst for this story is one key in particular that will not stay lost.
It is a house key for the side door. Its key chain was free, a gift from greater Good Animal Rescue site. The clever quote on it is "paws for a cause" I love it as it is "for good." The first loss occurred a few weeks ago and was noticed after I had visited the Post office and CVS. I arrived home and reached for my key, it was not in my pocket. I always have a spare hooked to my bag. Well, that is if I have remembered my bag.
I decide to retrace my steps. Checked inside the Post office-no. I then thought I might have mailed it with the letter I put in the outside mailbox. Do I wait for the mail carrier to come and see if it is co mingled with the letters? Next pickup is in an hour. I decide to return to CVS and try them first. "Did anyone turn in a purple key chain?" "Yes" the clerk holds it up. Nice feeling. A reunion.
Last week, on Monday, I used this same key and chain, went to the gym, made some other stops on the way home. Got home, no key. No key the next day. Wednesday, I again went to the gym. Just on a lark I asked if any key on a purple cloth chain had been returned. The gym staffer had a group of keys waiting for their exercising owners. Many gym folks leave their keys on the counter while doing their routines. I see it!! Yay. But wait, it is just the key chain. The staff member Says. "Not what you were hoping for" The clasp is broken-no key
I did my exercise, weights etc . I left and headed to my car. I remembered that on Monday I had parked in the end space, so I went over to it., I looked down and yes, there was my house key, gleaming in the sun
I was so happy I went back to show the staff member-he also was incredulous that 2 days later, after much "weather" the key was still there.Time apart=2 days
As he rests on his dog gazing perch in the peaceful solitude of his living room, Liam wonders and ponders about the preceding stories of loss
and offers some observations and questions for our LL readers, from Liam:Dogs leave their toys, but find them again
They are not lost. Maybe Mommy Carol is doing that. Just storing them places.Maybe she is leaving her stuff all over to leave her mark; we doggies do that.
Maybe she is trying to "be free" "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. "
Maybe she has as "in"with St. Anthony?
Patron Saint of finding lost objects.Is there a difference between leaving something and losing something? I think so.
Conclusion-If you leave something and know where it is then it is not lost. So I think half these stories are not about loss, they are about leaving. Mommy Carol tried to teach me the "leave it" command two week's ago.
I did not learn it. Looks like she did.
"Leave it"
Good Mommy.
Woof, woof
