Day 251
If you are not an animal lover, specifically of dogs, go read something else … because you are not going to “get” this.
I currently have two pugs, a lab and two cats. If I could possibly have more – I think I would. Good thing I have some sense. Some sense.
I’m in Denver this weekend, on business, and am soaking up every mother-daughter moment I can and all the while I am being wooed by Sam’s dog, Brutus.
Brutus is a beautiful Great Dane/St. Bernard mix. And he is my boyfriend. Or at least, I’m pretty sure, he thinks I’m his girlfriend.
He is (currently after losing some weight) a mere 175 pounds. A giant lap-dog puppy of mostly slobber and muscle. Mostly slobber. He is as soft as velvet, as gentle as a kitten, as big as a pony, and as strong as a buffalo. He is some dog.
And he has been mooning over me since I got here.
It’s pretty funny … and actually kind of endearing, too. From the moment I get here until the moment I leave the dog is at my side or on my lap or looking longingly at me with his big watery brown eyes. He is perfectly content to sit next to me and look dreamily at me for the longest time.
I don’t know what it is … some sort of animal magnetism, I guess … but dogs (usually) like me. He, however, is in love with me. I’m a dog dream-boat!
I have a friend who has two bulldogs … Ike and Lola … they are like baby rhinos running around. Stronger than oxen and hilarious idiots. They are riotous in their love for me, as well.
How can I not be touched by such sweetness and obvious affection?
I grew up with dogs (and a houseful of animals) and have had animals my entire adult life … I guess I’m such an animal person, that living a life without them sounds so lonely, mundane, lackluster … BORING.
Oh sure … I never leave my house without fur on every item of clothing I own – probably even on my underwear. I have stepped in more than my fair share of dog pee, vomit and poop. I have cleaned up more than my fair share of the same. I have spent, over the years at the vet, the equivalent amount as that of a third child going to college. I’m sure my vet has a nice yacht by now. I hope he’s named it after me. I can’t go off on vacations on a whim because I have to find pet sitters. I have to be home at certain times to let them out and feed them – because that has to be done, contrary to some beliefs, on a regular basis.
And still, with all that … I don’t think I’ll ever, willingly, be pet-free. Even with two cats in the house after our last pug died, the house felt too empty without a dog in it. So, what did I do? I went out and got a dog … and another … and two more after that!
In any case … the joy they bring to our lives far outweighs the aggravation and expense they can also bring. They are our confidants and buddies, our loyal friends and bed warmers, our driving companions and sharers of bad table food. They bring unconditional love and warmth, laughter and sweetness into our lives and make us better people by teaching us patience and kindness and give us a sense of purpose. They hold our secrets and share our lives.
And then, once in a while, there’s the dreamy-eyed wonder who thinks you are the best thing on the planet – even better than a giant Milk Bone. How much better can it get than that?