Part Ten--Confessions of an Almost Dog Lover

It's quiet around here, a little too quiet...actually alot too quiet. But it is all good. Mostly all good. Sorta good. A little bit good.

Ok. I miss that dog.

Maddie has a new home and a new mommy.

And a doggie sister.

Human mommies are good. Doggie sisters are good. Forever homes are best.

And she gets to live inside. Which may not be too big of a deal right now when it is nice outdoors but when fall comes and the  frost is on the pumpkin, Maddie needs to be an indoor kind of dog. She wasn't bred for living in the elements. She was born to spend her days inside, following her human mommy around, jumping on her lap and protecting everyone from dust bunnies. (she did a good job; no one was killed or injured by a dust bunny during her sojourn here)

I would tell you all the good things about not having a dog living in the house but I kinda can't think of any right now.  

Her new human mommy loves her to distraction and that makes me happy. And Maddie is happy and content and doing well.

I like to think that in a tiny little corner of her itty-bitty little canine heart, she remembers me and our days together. And how she almost made me a dog lover. Maybe not a lover of every dog or even of dogs in general but most certainly a lover of a particular little dog we called Maddie. 

Part Nine--Confessions of an Almost Dog Lover

Live like a dog...





Why is it that dogs don't live as long as humans?

Well, people are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice...dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.

~Live simply.
~Love generously.
~Care deeply.
~Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

-When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
-Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
-Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
-Take naps.
-Stretch before rising.
-Run, romp, and play daily.
-Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
-Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
-On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
-On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
-When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
-Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
-Be loyal.
-Never pretend to be something you’re not.
-If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
-When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
 
Live like a dog and enjoy every moment of every day.

Author Unknown

(source: I saw this awhile back making the rounds on Facebook. So I copied it and am posting an excerpt here. I would happily credit the author if anyone knows who it is)
("Live like a dog" is my sole and humble contribution)
(I might have to add: "Jump as high into the air as possible when you want to go to the restroom." I am pretty sure that would make all of our lives just that much more interesting and entertaining.)

Part Eight--Confessions of an Almost Dog Lover

The whole incident began with this very cool "survival bracelet" dog collar that Daniel made for Maddie. We didn't feel like going to buy her a collar when she came into our lives because we were so convinced this was Maddox and he (although it was really "she") would be going home within hours if not by the end of the day. So Daniel made him (her) a collar. Daniel is a "paracord expert" but not necessarily a "knot expert" (this will become very important later).

We put her on a leash, really just a length of paracord and tied her in the front yard when she wasn't in the house jumping on my lap or resting in her kennel. Actually it was Rosie's kennel but Maddie didn't know that. (although Rosie did) (but she didn't care) (in fact, I am pretty sure she was happy to share it) (because it kept Maddie out of her hair) (and she pretty much hated it, anyway)

Anyway, this morning Maddie stood by the front door, patiently asking to go outside. Let me rephrase that, Maddie stood by the front door and jumped three feet straight up into the air, over and over again. That got my attention all right and I grabbed the paracord leash to attach to her collar. As I did so, I noticed that another length of paracord had been tied on. Not being a boy scout, I didn't inspect the knot. Rememer the whole thing about Daniel not being a knot expert? Yeah. Right. Soon that would become very important. Maddie saw a squirrel across the streeet or heard another dog or smelled something very interesting. Something clicked in her little brain so she and I set off in pursuit of whatever she was tracking.

Suddenly, she lunged forward and the knot gave way. She dashed off across the street and I dashed off in pursuit of her. Soon she gave up on the squirrel or whatever it was that had originally piqued her interest and zoomed off in another direction. I zoomed right behind her. In my own way. Which was not a pretty sight. I soon began to huff and puff and there was a stitch in my side and desperation in my heart. She was so fast I was afraid I would lose sight of her. I ran faster than I have ever run--probably since junior high when I took second place in the 50 yard dash. I called her but since she wasn't really Maddox or Maddie, she didn't pay the slightest bit of attention to me--she was busy pretending to be a greyhound or a bloodhound or...something.

Next comes the part which is kinda embarrassing. I slowed down, since I really couldn't keep up with her pace, anyway, and called her quietly and then I said, (oh, yes, I did) "Why are you doing this to Mommy? Please come back..." in a most pitiful tone. Luckily for me, no one in my family or any of my neighbors or casual acquaintances or even random strangers on the street witnessed this moment. (I hope)

Maddie paid no attention. She continued to run down the street. Until something in the storm drain caught her attention. She stopped to sniff and investigate. I got closer and was astute enough to stop running and began to casually walk toward her when her interest in the storm drain was satisfied. Then she set off to check out a flower bed in somebody's yard. I was closer to her now than I had been during this whole ordeal. Her back was to me and her nose was in some petunias--I grabbed her and she wrestled with me a bit until after some petting and soft words (I will not relate what I said to her) she calmed down and we walked back home. Emphasis on the word "walked."

Part Seven--Confessions of An Almost Dog Lover

I might have forgotten to mention that Maddie can dance...

and point...

I probably also forgot to say that she is the best watch dog ever...

she watches everything...

but you have to watch her so she doesn't run away...

because she can run REALLY fast.

(I know this for a fact)

I might also have neglected to mention she has the longest dog tongue 
ever in the history of domesticated canines...

And I don't think I have ever pointed out how very photogenic she is...

whether or not she is looking at the camera.

Part Six--Confessions of an Almost Dog Lover

Maddie is always thrilled to see me. Subtle she's not. If she could talk, she would say,"Where have you BEEN? I missed you. I needed to hear your voice. I needed you to pet me. I needed to tell you that I think you are the kindest, smartest, funniest, best human I know. Now, how about a snack?"

Maddie is always sensitive and understanding. If she could talk, she would say, "Why are your eyes raining? Why is your smile droopy? Come here and let me sit in your lap and lick your face...or you could give me a snack. That would probably make you happy."

Maddie is goal-oriented. If she could talk, she would say, "We have to get things in shape around here. I have been trying to keep some order, trying to keep the boys out of the fridge and the girls on task and nobody listens to me the way you do. Why, I haven't had a snack for at least ten minutes. So let's remedy that right now."