I think I’ve mentioned a time or ten on here about the girls, particularly the 1st Grader, wanting to get a pet. Begging to get a pet would be more accurate.
Well, we haven’t done that.
But, the next best thing has happened to my children.
Our next door neighbors got a new puppy. And, better still… they asked us last week if the girls would like to help walk the new dog while they’re at work.
Oh, yes they would. And, because I really can’t think of a better way for them to get a “puppy fix” without me having to actually care for and housebreak a puppy, I am all for this idea.
So, meet Duke.
He’s tiny and bow-legged and altogether very sweet. But, he eats mulch and pieces of bark and does a few other unpleasant things in the way of ingesting and regurgitating things he finds outside.
The Toddler calls him, “Doot.”
And, so far, she spends most of her time when we’re with him saying, “I scary. I scary.” {which is her way of saying “I’m scared.”}
I keep trying to convince her that “Doot” is far more scared of her than she need be of him. But, it’s going to take time for her to warm up to his affection. He’s still learning about things like boundaries and personal space. And, he seems especially fond of picking on, or should I say licking on, people close to his own size.
Meanwhile, the Preschooler is eager to prove to me that she loves dogs. Unfortunately for her, she’s learning the hard way that her high-pitched squeals and screams communicate to Duke that she wants to be chased. In fact, he likes to herd her by circling her and nipping at her heels. Our neighbor explained to her that he’ll leave her alone if she’ll use a low, forceful voice and say “NO, DUKE” instead of her high soprano, “Stop chasing me, Duke!” as she runs in circles through the yard. But, this is going to take some serious practice.
Please note the forced smile and the unnatural hand around his neck. She’s trying so hard to overcome her fears and convince me that she loves this.
The only problem I have with this new assignment is the reward system. When Duke does his business outside he is rewarded with a single Goldfish. The girls, of course, cannot believe he only gets a solitary Goldfish. Naturally, everyone wants to give him the treat. And, everyone wants to reward themselves with a handful of Goldfish. So, we’ve got to work on that.
For now, though, we’re living a pet owner’s life vicariously through our neighbors. I imagine it’s something like being a grandparent… you get to have lots of fun without the sleepless nights and the discipline dilemmas. I think it’s a great set up for us.
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