So...none of us are perfect but, I must admit, one annoying habit I had as a puppy, was to be gone like the wind, like a Jack Rabbit, anytime I saw an opportunity and an open door. I remember a go-round with the Pizza Delivery Guy, Momma, Daddy, our niece and great-nephew as they all tried to corral me, while I played ‘catch me if you can’. I mean, I even stopped, waited up for them, because between you and me, those Two Footed are helplessly slow. When they just about had me in their reach, I took off in a frenzy, with no GPS tracking record of where I was headed and no consideration for the outcome. It was just a game of chase that I had played endlessly, back in the barn. No use in betting against me, I always win.
In the end, I would tire, plant myself down on the ground, panting loudly, my tongue hanging out of my mouth, my eyes bright with the latest victory. Only then would I let Momma pick me up and take me home. I licked her fingers to let her know how much I appreciated the lift because I was exhausted, my heart about to burst from all the excitement.
To tell you the truth, I could not tell you how many times, with how many people I played this game but Momma was always involved in the rescue attempt, although Wonder Boy probably was the winner of capturing me . I do not seem to be able to outfox Wonder Boy. He must be even more clever than me, is that possible? Daddy was involved in the hunts often, as well, but he loved me so much that he was putty in my hands. In his eyes, I did no wrong but he hated me running away because that was how the puppy love of his life, Zanny met her Waterloo
But more about that sorry story later, back to me, because it is all about me….What else did I do to poor Momma besides run away, snarl and growl, occasionally nip, not stop or come on command, chew everything (now I only chew kleenex I find lying around – I noticed they always get tossed in the garbage anyway so it is not like I am destroying something that has added-on-value).
I love company, be it friends or family and demand attention every time someone comes in the door, like my very life depended on their stamp of approval. I will even suffer the humiliation and itch of a party dress to get their attention.
It has got to be that I go through life looking for every Two Footed to build my ego because of that Barn-of-Horrors I lived in, during my first six weeks of life. Not only was the barn stone cold physically and mentally, it was a super unsettling atmosphere for healthy development of a puppy’s emotional quotient. In any case, once everyone has greeted me, I always go back to shadowing Momma because she needs me. Trust me, I never know what she is up to.
Truth be told, it is not like Momma is a saint. She listens about the same amount as me and if I heard correctly, that started the minute she was born. Her mother nicknamed her Quite Contrary, which my Daddy would remind her about often. But Daddy, who was her constant companion for so many years, went out one day and did not return, yes, another story that makes me cry.
You see Wonder Boy is busy, at university three days a week, at work three-day a week, and in between, he has a Social Life – he is a Leo, you know. Most of the time I am by Momma’s side, so I feel totally responsible for her well-being.
Sometimes I think, Momma is like an out of control Politician on speed or his alcoholic wife and dysfunctional kids. She does not make life easy for me. So that is why a year ago, I kicked protection up a notch or two, of the protectee (Momma) as per Secret Service lingo. Unfortunately, I have no team to back me up, and no gun (we are talking the True North Strong and Free).
It is just me and a plan – always a plan.
