We have a dog. For almost 7 years we've had her. She is a fantastic, spastic dog that used to live in the house and sleep on a bed bigger than our dining table until we added Nancy to the family. After that she was put in the backyard and her bed moved to the garage for evenings. Don't pity her, she loves it. At first I was so glad to get rid of the dog hair in the house and her tail knocking over frames and drinks and children. But I now confess I hope we can one day let her back into the house so she can sit on our feet while we watch tv and pretend she doesn't notice we're eating dessert and she's not.
I love to hear her "deflate" when she's settling in for a good nap. I love the way her ears are small and her head is small and her paws are small. She likes a good butt rub. She is the reason my $100 sisal rug has lasted almost 8 years - she eats all the scraps and applesauce and yogurt and paint and playdough that gets smushed into the crevices. She doesn't dig, doesn't bark, doesn't chew, doesn't jump, doesn't run away, and has never ever pooped in the house. I'm still talking about the dog, not the kids. Seems Belle has better manners than they do! And Belle is awesome with the girls, just awesome. Nancy sits on her, pokes her paws, grabs her tail, gives her sticks and grass and cheerios, and Belle has such self control and is so gentle with her.
Belle was there when we moved to St. Louis and I was sad and homesick, but she gave us a reason to get out and go to the park or for a run. And she was there when I was pregnant with Kate and scared and lonely, and she was still there when Kate arrived and I totally ignored her and considered her a burden. She was there when I was depressed and anxious about the world around me and couldn't figure out how to be a mom and wife. And she is still part of our home, chasing Kate and taking snacks from Nancy and vacuuming my sisal rug. I love our dog.
And yes, I've recently read Marley and Me.
