Buddy the dog

One of the carpenters who's been working on our bathroom has a dog that makes me miss having one, and that's saying something. Its a fleeting feeling and I usually pull myself together enough not to let it hang on, but this dog is adorable. He sits by the back door waiting for his master, never barks, is well behaved and not too big, and loves to play. When I go outside I throw a ball and he races out into the yard to catch it, sometimes on the fly, and hustles back to drop it at my feet again, anxiously waiting for the game to continue.

When we were growing up my parents always had boxers. I loved our dogs, but that's because my mother did all the work. She fed them, trained them, took them out, made sure they had their shots, and paid for all their expensive veterinary care. After having four children and one dog of my own I determined it was not for me to do the same. I tired of being in charge of other living things, of always being the responsible one and always needing to make sure everyone was fed and bathed, etc. So we haven't had a dog since our kids were all living home. But I admit that Buddy, this little dog, has me beguiled. If I could steal him away I probably would.

But...as soon as he needed a trip to the vet, or had an accident on my carpet, or came in covered with mud and ticks - I think I'd give him right back. I totally have my perspective on this one!