Jun 21 2006
The Doom Is Come Upon Me
Said the Lady of Suzy*.
It’s a beautiful summer morning. Sunny, breezy, perfect. Rita and I are walking to the park, when, WHAM! It’s her Actual Owner. He says he wants to take her back. I am horrified and too surprised to be polite. To the point where he says he’ll call me later.
He does, and my lack of enthusiasm for giving him back his dog is obvious, even over the phone. He finally admits that he has not yet discussed adding Rita to the menage of two small children with his fiancee, whose children they are. I suggest, as nicely as I can, that he damn well does before wrenching Rita away from me. Many mothers would not care to expose their babies to a German Shepherd who has not been around kids much and who is used to being the center of attention. Not to mention her lack of enthusiasm for relinquishing the ball. The potential for problems seems pretty big.
Really, his fear of confrontation is world-class. Can’t talk to his woman, can’t talk to his unpaid dog caretaker. Just lacking in girl skills? I’m thinking yes, since Rita was the only one in his life for 10 years. Excusable? No. If he’s going to be a husband and father, he needs to get over himself. Soon.
Fortunately, the lapse between the park encounter and the phone call was long enough for me to stop weeping at the prospect of a Rita-less life, get mad, and start doing some research to back up my belief that Rita and I are meant for each other and that we are both too old for toddlers on a daily basis. Visitors are welcome (especially Mike & Jennifer’s). I’m determined to fight for her.
Who knew the fun part of the day would be mailing in a request for a certified copy of my marriage license, so I can get the divorce going? That seems to be a sad comment on the state of my existence.
*With apologies to Alfred, Lord Tennyson. And for those of you about to point this out, I know I’m no lady.
6 Responses to “The Doom Is Come Upon Me”
Do fight for her. If you lose her, you’ll do so knowing you fought for her. Good luck!
I don’t understand how he can show absolutely no interest for weeks at a time, and then suddenly think he can waltz in and scoop her up. Why even mention it if he hasn’t talked to all the parties involved? Sounds like he needs a swift kick in the butt.
Bad week for pups all round, eh? 🙁
As much as Mike and I would love to have a dog (a German Shepherd, of course), we have realized that with two young children, the dog would always come last. That’s no way to treat “Man’s best friend”. It really came to us while puppy-sitting, I think I was yelling at the dog more than the kids. Dogs can’t go into the playgrounds, so you have to make a decision, doggy walk or spend time in the park with the kids. Then there are all the after school activities that don’t include canines etc. Also, having had Charley until the ripe age of 11, she was in no shape to have small children all over her…
I know this is long, but I really hope that Rita’s other owner really thinks hard, and makes a decision that would be best for Rita. Good Luck!
I totally agree, Jennifer. Plus, pups aren’t allowed in so many places, especially around where I live, I can’t imagine its much different in Toronto. We’re registering for agility courses in the fall so that poor Vegas doesn’t get left out when the baby is born. The baby will get to go everywhere, but the poor pup is always left at home :(.
Thanks for the advice – especially you mothers & moms-to-be! I’m marshalling my arguments for the next time he calls.
Why don’t you take this opportunity to teach Rita to snarl on secret demand…not that she would actually bite…but bare her teeth when you make a very subtle gesture…then you can show her new skill off whenever you like…say when you accompany her to meet the new lady and her kids. That would make her yours forever. Not that I’d ever do such a thing or even think it.