A dream since childhood: to have a dog.
I have always desired to have a dog. I needed it. It burned inside me. Every time i saw a picture of a dog, especially a puppy, I felt a tug at my heart. I loved being around them. Aside from horses, they are my favorite animal.I mean, they are man’s best friend and I so wanted a dog to be my best friend. To get into mischief with me. I used to watch Full House and wish that what happened to them would happen to me. The Tanner’s got their dog, Comet, because his mom, Minnie, appeared on their yard. They were able to track down the owner after a while but not before Minnie gave birth to several puppies. Then they were able to keep one. I wished a puppy would be given to me. When kids had their imaginary friends I had an imaginary dog, which my siblings played along with me. I named it Comet after Full House.
So when I got married; I not only got a husband but also a friend, the family dog, Mandi.
She kept me company after I moved in with The Kid in his parent’s place. We moved into his parent’s place for practical reasons but that is another story to tell for another time. Anyway, The Kid worked overnights and would leave me to entertain myself until bedtime. Mandi kept me company. In rare cases, even slept in the bed with me. She made staying in a new place bearable. She made it better for me. That was a gem because she didn’t sleep in the room with me without The Kid. Mandi seemed to like the idea of sleepovers on the weekends. She knew when it was time for bed and scratch at the door until we let her in unless she was in the room already.
The road to Friendship was bumpy….
When we first met, back when my husband was just my friend, Mandi wasn’t really interested in my friendship. In fact, she really didn’t care for me. Mandi would constantly bark at me and at the time she rarely barked. She probably saw me as a threat. That, maybe, I was trying to take The Kid ( that’s the nickname I gave my husband) away from her. Sometimes she would even act like a jealous girlfriend and getting between us when we sat down on the sofa. She would often pee on the spot I sat on. She wouldn’t to me when I told her anything. It was weird for me because it is unusual for me to meet a dog that doesn’t like me instantly.
The Change….
I don’t recall when exactly she became smitten with me but I remember being grateful to have been considered her buddy. She sits on my lap and greets me with teeth-baring smiles which melt my heart, also makes me laugh. Also, she does very cute things like when she wants me to pet her head, she rubs her head with her paw almost like when she cleans herself minus the licking of her paws. Mandi is a cross between a cat, a baby and a puppy. Very independent until she wants attention or grace you with her presence. She licks me when I stop petting her to remind me to keep going. She loves being in the kitchen when The Kid and I cook, probably because she wants food but also for the company, I think. If I forget something in the room and leave the kitchen, she follows me to make sure I come back. She nudges my leg in the right direction, in case, I have forgotten where the kitchen. She then waits somewhat patiently for whatever I decide to give her that I happen to be chopping; lettuce, peppers, corn, fruit and whatever we are going to eat. The Kid’s younger said to his mother that Mandi seems to love me more because when I come around, she ignores whoever she was with, to hang out with me.
Buddies, her & I
I feel really honored for the privilege of being one of her dear friends. She doesn’t listen to just anyone but she does listen to me. It took a while to get there but it was worth it. I even made an Instagram account for her. We aren’t perfect. We do have our share of spats. For example, when she pees where she isn’t supposed to and she knows it then I get upset. She may have received a soft spanking once or twice. Nothing to harm her but to let her know it is not acceptable. Immediately Mandi tries to smooth things over by licking me. She has taught me to be more patient because while animals are smart, we don’t communicate the same and it is I whom must adapt. Not the other way around. I can train her but it is I that must learn how to do so.
If I don’t see Mandi for a long time, I start to miss her and wonder where she is. We have a game where I get some of her food and throw it around the room and she runs to get it. She will then come back and wait for me to throw the next piece. She gets so excited that she starts galloping and hopping to get her food. Mandi and I have different understandings. One of which is that when I am wearing a skirt she can not paw my legs like she usually does. Sometimes, however , if she hasn’t seen me in a long time, she will pee because she gets way too excited to see me. She used to pee when she hadn’t seen me in awhile so I don’t mind the pawing. We make sure each other is okay. We tend to each other’s wounds and concerns. It definitely isn’t a one-sided relationship. As I am typing, she is asleep next time me on the bed.
Remember, your pets are your friends. They will give you the love you give them. If you have a pet, you should know it, if you don’t already do. If you are not a pet owner, well it is pretty rewarding.
