This is your warning.
When your brother calls and asks you if you want a five month-old yellow Labrador Retriever puppy, be careful.
Don't fall in love. Don't take him hiking, and take pictures of him and pass them around like a proud mother. Don't let those glistening golden eyes get the better of you.
Don't let him sleep in your room; don't spend 45 minutes a day training him. Don't play hide-and-seek in the back yard with him, or take him to an empty soccer field to chuck tennis balls. Don't tie him to your bed frame to keep him from wandering in the night, he will lick the paint off the wall.Watch yourself, or you might start taking him to the lake just to watch him heartily hurl all 85 pounds of himself into the water. Before you know it, your bookshelf will hold books like "The Water Dog" and "Obedience Training." You'll have your veterinarian on speed dial, and Lab Calendars and checks.
When you're sick or recovering from surgery, he'll lay his head on the edge of the bed. When you're trying to nap, he'll lay slimy chew toys to at your feet or bark at stray cats. If you leave a plate of anything unattended, he'll dispose of it almost instantly.
When you have a spat with your spouse, don't sit on the back steps and pour your heart out to him. Don't admire the golden sheen of his coat in the autumn afternoon sun while walking.
And when you have to leave your newborn in the hospital fighting for every breath, he will understand. You will hold him close just to feel something warm in your aching, empty arms, and his fur will catch your tears.
Don't put him outside when he knocks over the baby, you won't go out and spend time with him like you think you will. Don't yell at him when he barks and wakes up the baby--he's just lonely. Don't stop walking him when you're pregnant again, and don't neglect him.
Don't think twice when your neighbor offers to take him into her yard. And when your husband gets a better job a thousand miles away, don't hesitate to honor the love that neighbor has shown and give her the best dog in the world.
When you're driving away, don't worry. He'll be happier, he deserves the love she has to give. Don't feel sad every time you see someone scratching their dog behind the ears or playing fetch. Don't lie to yourself about being ready for another dog. You're not.
Don't go visit him on Christmas vacation, or take him a toy. Don't play fetch with him, for old times' sake.
And whatever you do, don't go see "Marley and Me" at the movie theater. You will cry too much and feel silly, and wonder how you got to the point where you feel like writing a letter to a dog.
Consider yourself warned.
Don't put him outside when he knocks over the baby, you won't go out and spend time with him like you think you will. Don't yell at him when he barks and wakes up the baby--he's just lonely. Don't stop walking him when you're pregnant again, and don't neglect him.
Don't think twice when your neighbor offers to take him into her yard. And when your husband gets a better job a thousand miles away, don't hesitate to honor the love that neighbor has shown and give her the best dog in the world.
When you're driving away, don't worry. He'll be happier, he deserves the love she has to give. Don't feel sad every time you see someone scratching their dog behind the ears or playing fetch. Don't lie to yourself about being ready for another dog. You're not.
Don't go visit him on Christmas vacation, or take him a toy. Don't play fetch with him, for old times' sake.
And whatever you do, don't go see "Marley and Me" at the movie theater. You will cry too much and feel silly, and wonder how you got to the point where you feel like writing a letter to a dog.
Consider yourself warned.
1 comment:
Awww Manda. You miss your puppy. It's OK!
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