Last time we told you how our life-long love for dogs started with our first Boston Terrier, and how he was such a lovely dog, adapting to all Mother’s Rules For Dogs. Spunky and Mother are together again. Both would be a bit perturbed. Dogs rule the roost these days.
Bit of an uprising
There have been half a dozen or more dogs between that first, angelic little guy and the current crew of unholy terrors. We freely admit – it’s all our fault.
There isn’t a single piece of soft furniture that the dogs aren’t allowed on. We do draw the line, still, at tables: kitchen tables, dining room tables, coffee tables are all off limits. It took years to convince Teddy that we truly didn’t need his help preparing meals up close and personal in the kitchen. He finally got the message and lent his support from the kitchen chair.
Golly taught us the most about how to treat her species properly. She didn’t actually fuss a lot. No whining or barking. Golly just made her wishes known by staring at you with those huge, puppy-dog eyes and not moving until she got exactly what she wanted. To the best of our knowledge she wasn’t telepathic. But don’t make us swear to that.
Predisposed to sympathy
Golly came shortly after Mother went. We were probably very vulnerable at that point. When we discovered that our four-month-old puppy needed heart surgery, we were sitting ducks for anything her little heart desired. We were doomed. Golly, spoiled rotten? Just like every dog we’ve had (before and since)? Sure! Why not? It’s not like any dog has to grow up and be a responsible taxpayer!
Dogs rule the roost
When Booker wakes up from a nap – we hurry to take him outside so he’s able to comply with the rules. Simon gets hangry, so dinner is on a schedule. When Torque shoves Hope’s legs aside so he can get comfy on the couch, she moves. When Tango insists that the best sleeping place is at the head of the bed next to Fran’s face, she puts a dog bed there so he’s even more rotten.
We schedule our days so the dogs can go out at regular intervals. When vacations were a thing, the dogs came along. We invite friends who don’t like dogs to meetings elsewhere than home.
With that understanding, it’s still true that there are absolute rules for dogs in the household. Everybody has to eliminate appropriately. Everybody has to play nice. No fighting allowed. And, even after all these years, no begging at the table. Mother would be so proud.
