DOGFRIEND
September 18, 2012 § 5 Comments
My very first childhood friend was a beautiful (and infinitely patient) Golden Retriever named Treevor. I was just a baby and didn’t know anything, but Treevor took me places and kept me safe and taught me how to be nice. Since then, dogs have been one of the great joys of my life. Few things make me happier than seeing (and even better, snuggling with) a smiling, wiggly dog.
Unfortunately for my mental health and wellbeing, I’ve not lived long-term with dogs since 2002, when I left for college. I have loved dogs during this period, oh yes — my family dogs, the dearly departed Pookie, as well as Rowdy and Sophie, have been my long-distance dogfriends for the past decade. But visiting dogs isn’t the same as being a full-time parent; I have long felt a dog-shaped absence in my heart. But how to fill it? Until recently, adoption wasn’t in the cards, for all kinds of reasons. Too much moving, instability, immaturity — I just wasn’t ready.
But now I am. Now we are. And so yesterday, Chris and I made that commitment (he chronicles the adoption process here). This is a big deal for both of us, in fact is the first time I feel like a proper adult. The PhD had absolutely no impact on my own sense of identity, and certainly didn’t make me feel any more capable or secure in the world. But this does. Because now I am responsible for another creature’s safety and happiness. I am a caretaker now, and that feels different. I already love the shit out of him, and promise to do my best.
He is so cute! Congratulations and good luck with the parenting – if I recall correctly, puppies will also wake you up in the middle of the night, and you don’t even get maternity leave.
NOT OUR ANGEL DOG!!!! The last two nights he’s whimpered only once right before falling asleep, probably because he doesn’t understand why mommy and daddy’s bed is up in a tree — but otherwise he’s been great. I can’t wait for you to meet him!!!!!!!! The inside of his mouth looks like a shark!!!!
He is a most excellent new person! Congrats to you and Chris! We went through something similar with Tatty in terms of omg parenthood (although I think she was more the equivalent of an unplanned baby – she kinda spontaneously moved in and stayed). There’s nothing like having your baby walk all over your face at 6.45 to tell you it’s getting-up time.
Tell me about it. In our case, Nathan’s more of a vengeance piss-cannon than morning face walker. The loft bed at least keeps our sleeping quarters safe from the warming tinkle of anger pee. Oh, the things we do for love…
[...] Feed the TrollSeptember 26, 2012 at 2:33 pmby Whitney PhillipsNo commentsTweetAs chronicled here, here, and here, Chris and I recently adopted a puppy named Nathan. I’ve lived with dogs all my life [...]