Pet Owners, Pet Lovers

My job, in the family, is play.  With the cats, not so much; but the dog, well that’s a different story.

Oscar has a clear idea of who does what, and that's my assigned job hands-down, as I’m reminded of it daily.

But on occasion, he'll play with mommy, and that's fine by me, I suspect it’s just him trying to be fair with his time; Or, it could just as well be his way of reminding her that he is HER dog as well, (usually after her going up stairs nightly and spending time with the kitties). Breeds compete, for attention, for sure.

    As they were wrestling over a toy we named Patches, I listened with amusement at his persistent vocalizing during their tug-of-war and chasing the tossed rag-a-muffin. That’s when it dawned on me how much noise he brings into our home. And the ironic thing is that his noise invokes laughter and smiles from both of us. Whenever I consider what our life would have been like if we didn't adopt him, I get shivers. I didn't like the view of a life without him making noise in our home.

   Oscar is a small Bichon Frise, all of twenty pounds, but his effect is huge. So much of our day is filled with him; from the daily morning vigil of watching  kids walk to the bus stop from his perch on the couch, and then him running to the front window barking alarm as they passed, to his grumbling when we tell him to calm down. Then the adventures of his daily walks around the neighborhood; they are never the same

  I'm certain he adores his pack, just as we enjoy and cherish how his presence fills our life. I could go into depth on challenges to our sense of comfort as well~ but not today; no one thrills at late night potty calls in bad weather; Nobody.  Yet, when I weigh conveniences of comfort without him against the warmth and happiness of being with him; even if it’s mostly him demanding attention; I'll take him over convenience every time.

  No work or distraction demands my attention like play with Oscar. And because of that, he provides the colors to this wonderful painting of my life that I treasure. Maybe it’s because he is more than a thing...property of mine...perhaps it’s because I continue to marvel at how unpredictable he can be; how affectionately inclusive his nature with every moment he sees us both. He likes us and it shows.

I am not crazy about his chew bones, they smell horrible, but he delights in them, and constantly brings them to me for sharing.

Now really....will a job ever do that?

I think not.

I believe the real distinction between pet owners and pet lovers is the approach to the pet.  Lovers care about them, and in that, respect them as living beings with choices just like us.   Pets can choose to rely only on our delivery of needs for them, (food, cleaning out the litter box or take on walks).  Or they can gift us with the wonder of their personalities.  In this house we are a circus of characters…as I have an every-day free pass.  

All I have to come with is sincere and inclusive attention.  After all, it’s OUR home.