Puppies and Kittens and More Puppies — Oh My!

A neighbor I don’t even know stopped by while walking her dog and asked, “Will you get another dog?” I get the question a lot. After all, I was rarely seen without a Golden by my side for thirty years; I even started SusanScribbles professing my love for my trio of canines. It’s a fair question.

When I told a friend that one of the reasons I haven’t taken the plunge is that the heartbreak is so difficult, she said, “But, they’re worth it.” She’s not wrong. But you do get to the point where the heartbreak is, well, too heartbreaking. One friend told her husband, “Seal up the dog door; I can’t take this anymore.” (Remember, Kath?)

I will say, however, that even though we are technically petless, I have somehow been reaping the benefits, and rewards, and responsibilities of having one.

When my 86-year-old neighbor adopted a puppy (you may recall, Shame on Me), she asked if I would help train Tasha, the Standard Poodle. This has been a challenge, to put it mildly. I took her to six-week obedience training, which turned into 12 weeks. She graduated, but I have to say they must have graded on a curve. A big curve. Put it this way, we are still struggling with training to this day. She is adorable though.

Then, a couple of months ago a tiny little orange kitten showed up in our shed. After spending two weeks coaxing him to eat from afar, I was still not able to get close. So, I borrowed a trap. I’m not sure who this stressed more. I then spent two days in the bathroom with him trying to get him socialized – all the while fighting off falling in love. I called him Jules and he was beyond adorable. With two upcoming trips fast approaching, I made the very difficult decision to find another home for him. He is now called Pistachio, and he lives with a loving family that also includes a feline sibling.

Fast forward to today. We just returned from delivering a ten-week old puppy to our aunt and uncle in Connecticut. I know what you’re thinking, but we did it for love. Ten years ago when they could not find a reasonably priced Dachshund pup, we did the same thing with much success, but their beloved Moxie passed away in November. They were heartbroken. So, off we went again to a breeder in the middle of the state. We were reminded of all the reasons we would never get a puppy for ourselves. But, besides the sleepless nights, potty training, vet visits and mounds of laundry, there has been some comic relief.

At one point I was voice texting with a couple of my fellow retired co-workers when hubby mentioned something about the pup going “pee pee.” It wasn’t until one of these former vice presidents texted back, “Well, when you have to go, you have to go” that I realized the “pee pee” comment was picked up in my text.

Then during my exercise class on Zoom, the little devil zoomed across my keyboard. A few minutes later, the instructor said, “Someone’s mic is on.” I was forgiven when at the end of the class I introduced the culprit that interrupted yoga, the adorable and rambunctious, three and half pound Charlie.

So, I can safely say that although we have not yet adopted a pet, we’ve had no shortage of fuzz therapy or fuzz responsibility since my retirement.

          TASHA                JULES/PISTACHIO             CHARLIE