Robin Reports From In The Thick Of It: It's A Boy!

We have a new baby in the house. That's right a new baby. Well, a new baby puppy. My daughter wanted one for her 8th grade graduation. This last week has been just like raising a baby all over again-only it's a pup. We have had sleepless nights from him barking during the night. We have been on regimented feeding schedules, having to take him out to do his duty as scheduled times. We had to take him to the doctor for a check up and give him some medication... It is exhausting-and yet exhilarating. It is amazing how an animal can truly become a cherished part of your family in a very short time. At this very moment he is cuddled up next to my chair, chewing on a bone, as I write this.

My friend lost her dog that was with her and her family for eleven years. She basically died of old age. It was incredibly sad to see her morn the loss of her dog, Lexi, for over two weeks. Maybe you need to be a dog lover to appreciate this. Lexi has been there while raising her two boys who have now moved on to college. My friend has gone through two years of a separation and divorce from her husband of 20 plus years. Her dog has been at her side through tough times, while she now has lived alone, for the last two years. And now her dog, Lexi, her cherished canine companion, has passed away.

Recently, we babysat her new pup, Max. She got him on Mothers Day with her son, when he returned from college. He is the cutest, rowdiest, little Shi Tzu you have ever seen. We have a Maltese that is almost two years old. After a long weekend of watching Max, our dog seemed sad when he was gone. She would sniff around looking for Max. She would go in rooms expecting to see him and he wouldn't be there. My daughters explained how our dog was missing Max and she needed a friend. I could see what they were talking about. After owning a dog for a while you really get in touch with their personality and their feelings. They are like people in many ways. If you are not a dog owner or lover you are thinking I have lost it by now. Get a dog, you will know what I am talking about. Anyway, our dog got used to Max being around to play with him. He liked having a companion.

Being a dog owner is a new identity for me. I did not grow up around dogs. I am now able to identify my dog, Sachi's feelings. I have to say, she did seem she needed a friend. The kids live very busy lives around here. We have to leave our dog home alone often. We now brought home a Shi Tzu for Satchi to play with. We have only had him for a week. And it is instant love. The dogs play so well together. We bring them on walks and play in the yard with them. These two dogs are a part of our family.

My friend brought over Max to play with our dogs today. For an hour we just watched our dogs wrestle one another, bite each others ears, chase each other around the yard. We videoed them playing around in the yard. I found this hilarious. We were so enamored by our animals. It reminded me when our kids were young. The adults would try to talk, but our attention was mostly focused on our young ones, making sure they were playing appropriately and not getting hurt or hurting someone else. And, proud Mamas and Papas when they would do something impressive. My friend laughed as she said...only a dog lover could understand what we are doing now. It was the perfect doggy play date.

It has been a long week getting our new pup used to his new surroundings and watching him so he does not get hurt or eat something he should not be eating. I truly feel like a new mother. I can say, however, he is loved immensely by every family member of the house and we couldn't live without him. I came across a poem that describes what it is to own a dog.

My Dog, CHIMPY

MY DOG IS A FRIEND, WHO LOVES ME FOREVER...

MY DOG IS A FRIEND, WHO WILL TURN ON ME NEVER...

MY DOG IS A COMPANION, WHO WILL STAND BY MY SIDE...

MY DOG IS A COMPANION WHO WONT RUN AND HIDE...

MY DOG IS A SOMEONE WHO WILL ALWAYS BE MY FRIEND...

MY DOG IS A FRIEND..AND A FRIEND UNTIL THE END...

MY DOG IS A FRIEND WHO IS ALWAYS WILLING TO HAVE FUN...

MY DOG BELIEVES THAT ABOVE ALL OTHERS, THAT I AM NUMBER ONE...

Sheikh Hina Yasmeen

If you are a dog lover and want to connect with other dog lovers that understand your canine affection, check out these web sites, K9Mania.com, PetSmart, and DogForums.com. Lastly, if you are into books like I am, check out this site, books for dog lovers. The Web is great for providing us connections to anything we want under the sun. Make your connection today, make your dog a part of the fun.

Time to go take my dogs for a walk. Maybe we will bump into another family with pets along the way.

Comments

As Max's mom, I'm pretty sure I had as much fun today watching Max, Satchi, and new pal Dolce, as they did romping and wrestling in the grass! This little guy, Max, has rekindled a spark in me I thought was lost after my sweet Lexi died. Dogs enhance our lives with such pure joy and affection and are such a great comfort.

Posted by: Pat Garner | June 10, 2007 at 08:53 PM

We have made a good friendship at first through my first dog Satchi. I will never forget you running to me and asking me to bring my her into the store where you were working at that time. She was a pup weighing less than two pounds at the time. I knew you were an animal lover from that moment.When you lost Lexi, I cried with you. After a friendship had developed due to Satchi... you are now a near, dear friend, I think our dogs have created an even more sacred bond as we now feel like a mixed family. Thanks Aunt Pat for starting "The Puppy Club." We will all be life long friends. Dulce and Satchi had a great day with Max today...so did their mom.

Posted by: Robin | June 10, 2007 at 09:00 PM