If there is any being who rejoices in the current stay-at-home directive, it’s our dog Sam. Like most dogs, Sam becomes indignant when we go out and leave him behind. But lately, due to the weeks we’ve been forced to spend together, he’s convinced he owns us. As I gaze upon his little triumphant face, I’m reminded of when we brought him home, almost five years ago.
What makes Sam special?
It’d been years since we cohabited with a young dog. Suddenly, baby gates and crates were again part of our décor. Floors were strewn with rawhide chews upon which I often stepped with bare feet. Thus, in addition to sit, stay and come, Sam learned many curse words. And then there were the dog toys that squeaked incessantly as he tried to rip out their guts.
Adjusting to a small dog after having large dogs wasn’t easy. I’d never considered that small dogs can be a health hazard. Unlike large dogs, they’re below one’s line of vision, so one must take care not to step on them, or worse, trip over them. There were instances when I called Sam, once, twice, three times, only to look down and see him staring up at me in puzzlement.
It was fun watching Sam’s discoveries. Stairs, for instance. When one’s legs are only 6” long it’s understandable that navigating steps was as daunting as scaling the World Trade Center. But he figured it out, and began bounding up and down, looking very much like a Slinky toy.
The stall shower was another object of complete fascination. He’d sit, staring at the flowing water as one might gawk at Niagra Falls. He’d watch me intently as I stepped inside. Sam wouldn’t be judging me. At least, I didn’t think so.
All in all, his puppyhood was a complete delight, except perhaps for the time he ate a piece of baseboard molding in the kitchen.
Despite the joy that Sam brought us, we wondered if we acted unwisely. Perhaps a young, frisky dog was not the best plan for people on Medicare. Then I found this quote by author Dean Koontz: “Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is diminished.” Even writers of gory mysteries can have a soft spot when it comes to canines.
So here’s to Sam, who makes staying at home that much brighter. May you live long and prosper. And may your energy keep the rest of us young.
Susan’s newest book, How to Complain When There’s Nothing to Complain About, is available at Amazon.com and other online book sellers. Read her blog at www.SusansUnfilteredWit.com. Email SusanGoldfein@aol.com
