Why I Want One

This week I was reminded how much I want a dog someday. Well, I'd love to have one now, but circumstances are not favorable to one, so I will have to wait. But, the point is that I was reminded how much I want one. It all started with a call from a friend who asked if I could watch her baby two days this week while she and her husband were at work. We decided it would be easier for me to just go to their condo where all of the toys, books, diapers, crib, and other baby things are. You might be wondering what this has to do with dogs. In addition to their nine-month-old baby girl, they also have a little dachshund named Fester.

Normally I am not a big fan of little dogs, but Fester is one of the exceptions to that rule. He gets really excited when people come over. He has a basket full of toys that rival the baby's in number. He really likes the baby, especially when she's eating. And by the end of my two days, I think he decided to like me, despite all the times I yelled at him for barking on the first day (he didn't take me seriously until I threatened to put him in the crate/bed they have for him in a bedroom, at which point he cowered like a good little pack member should).

My second day with the baby, we went to the zoo, leaving Fester behind. Baby loved the zoo. I think she secretly loves it for all the attention she gets from people there because she's just so cute sitting up in her stroller, laughing and clapping with the excitement of being at the zoo and being up close and personal with all those funny-shaped "dogs". It's the only word she knows, and it's applied to almost anything that moves that isn't human. The bears? Dog. The kangaroos? Dog. The porcupines? Dog. The rhino? Dog. Not the birds, she knows those are different. Baby had such a wonderful time at the zoo that she fell asleep on the way home and had a nice long nap snug in her crib when we got back.

While baby was sleeping, Fester seemed rather excited we were back. He came and sat on my lap when I sat on the couch. And, when I left him to check my email, he came and found me after about ten minutes. But he was not just content with me patting his head. He started to jump around and wag his tail. He wanted to play. And so we ended up playing a much more vigorous version of a little game I used to play with my childhood dog. It's the rough-housing game where you and the dog try to fake each other out. I'm sure someone knows what I mean? Well, with Fester it meant him jumping around, pretending to nip at me while I was pretending to hit him around. And when he'd get really riled up he'd take off on a sprint around the room before returning to his spot in front of me. It was about as rough as one can get with a tightly-wound dachshund -- hardly any real physical contact, just reaction time. It was great fun that lasted at least fifteen or twenty minutes. We both got a pretty good work out, even if I stayed in the same place for most of it. And then he sat in my lap for another fifteen minutes before his festeriness induced him back to his seat by the window.

Fester spends most of his time on an ottoman by the balcony's sliding door, which provides him quick access to his doggy door and full view of any goings-on outside. It's like he's Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window, except instead of silently watching, he jumps up and barks at anyone who goes by, usually ending up on the balcony barking if the person is there too long for him. He knows he's not supposed to bark, but sometimes he just can't stop himself. For example, not long after he left my lap for his post, he took off outside and stood barking and barking until I got up to tell him to come inside and behave himself. Except he would not listen to me, and so I looked out to see who had him so upset. Inevitably it was not a person but rather a squirrel; a squirrel who in his nonchalance was daring to just sit comfortably on the ground staring up at the barking Fester. I decided not to press the issue and went back to my book and the couch. Eventually the squirrel must have gone about his business because I am sure Fester would not have abandoned his duty.

I had fun with Fester, and being with him for that short time reminded me how much I really, really want a dog. No offense to you Fester, but it also reminded me how much I really, really do not want a small dog. I was reminded how tightly-wound they can be, not to mention how much they can bark. Mostly it's that nervous look that he kept giving me that said, "I should be sitting on my ottoman right now, but it feels so good for you to pet me. But I really should get back to my post." Or, "Please, please don't let that baby get too close. I like my ears." Or, "Not bark? But it's a squirrel! Oh, and now there's some stranger getting into a car. I need to do something!" That nervous look is why he's Fester, and it's very endearing. But I think it would drive me crazy. If my dog were that nervous, I would be a nervous nightmare. I need a dog who has enough energy to play with me and keep me in shape, but who is also a calming influence.

So, why I want a dog (in no particular order):

1. Companionship. I really do believe that a good dog is man's best friend. A good dog is always there for you. When people are too busy or too stressed or out of town or just not available, a good dog is always there. And they have an uncanny way of knowing when you really need their attention. I mean, hey, they get attention in return, so there's everything in it for them.

2. No respecter of persons. A good dog doesn't care if you're wearing pajamas or if you can't find a job or if you just made a huge faux pas at an important social gathering. They still love you. In fact, they love you even when they get in trouble for something they did. Because they trust that you love them just as much as they love you.

3. Exercise and play-time. Seems simple and perhaps selfish, but having a dog to play with and walk with would ensure that I'm getting some exercise and fresh air and fun.

4. Clean-up crew. Baby just dropped something on the floor? Don't worry, the dog will get it. I'm not the type to give full-on leftovers to a dog, but stuff that's on the floor or bones to chew on or watermelon rinds....They can stay healthy while still providing clean-up.

5. Cuddles and Snuggles:

Not everyone likes to cuddle as much as I do, so a warm, soft dog could help with that. Even just a head in my lap would be great, although I'll probably end up on the floor a lot. Petting the dog, giving a good ear and belly scratch, I would include these in this category.

6. Personality:

A good dog has smarts and a personality. I think these two sometimes go hand in hand with a dog. Most of the dumb dogs I've ever known or heard about have characteristics rather than a personality. I've already mentioned that I'd prefer a dog with a generally calm demeanor, but that doesn't mean no personality.

7. Cuteness. A good dog is just plain cute. Whether they've got all the wrinkles of a shar pei...

or the sad eyes of a basset hound...

dogs are cute. To me, they're personalities have a lot to do with that. I suppose there are a few breeds that I really do not think are cute (anything without hair just looks pathetic to me, and some are just over the top in cuteness such as most toy breeds).

In summary, I want a dog because I know it will be a bundle of warm, furry cuteness that will also love me unconditionally and provide companionship and fun.

But, I will have to wait for my dog for a while yet. Maybe Fester will let me come play again. If he's not too busy barking at squirrels.