This is Guiness. He was my sister and brother-in-law's dog until they moved away into a pet-free apartment. Now he lives with my parents. BUT... when they travel he comes to stay at our bone-and-breakfast. Since my girls keep begging me to get a dog, I look at this as a symbiotic deal: my parents get free dog-sitting and we get a "pet" on loan (kind of like being a grandparent - all the fun without the long-term hassle).
We've done this before. So he knows us and we know him. We know that our backyard is his playground and a quick walk to the corner will usually get the job done. And we also know that once our children are in bed he'll be looking for extra attention from us big people. He knows he'll usually get it.
He's honestly a great dog to have around. And I'm not a dog-lover. This time around he's here for a total of two weeks. I think my girls will really cry when he leaves this time, after all, he is kind of like family by now. And I'm starting to think we're almost ready to have a pet in our home (besides beta fish - we haven't gone back to try a third time yet). The girls really do take good care of him.
The real reason I think it might not be too bad to actually have our own dog? I don't mind the late-night walks before bed any more. And it's only March, so it can be pretty cold out there at 10pm. But those walks have gotten me to slow down, even for just five minutes. I get to breathe deep the night air and gaze at the stars. I begin to unwind and soak up the silence.
Sometimes the early morning walks are even better. The sun is just peeking over the horizon when we go out and the chortling of birds is pretty much the only sound. I savor the continued peace of daybreak, the calm before the chaos.
Having a dog around has introduced me to a new exercise in "being still" and finding brief moments of solitude outdoors.
(Btw: I'm not saying I want to do this every morning or night, in case A Musing Dad reads this).
4 musings:
Plus, how can you dislike a terrier (?) named "Guiness"?
I think we forget what it is like to be alone once we have kids (and the chaos). There is a peace that comes with just walking and breathing and being quiet. I like how you are participating in that.
(sneering) Little dogs... Hmph!
Just kidding. I'm glad for you with this loan arrangement. Just make sure they remember to take the dog back at the appointed time. We agreed to doggy-sit for some (ex)friends, and they never came back for their pooch. That was something like eight years ago!!!
Jenn-he's a cutie, isn't he? I think he's a miniature schnauzer (not that I know that much about breeds).
LL-your thoughts lately about being outdoors have reminded me to savor it more (I'm naturally indoorsy).
Craver-three little girls are hoping their grandparents don't reclaim the dog (although all will be glad for their return nonetheless).
Post a Comment