What is life without a dog? Last night I pondered what it would be like to sit in front of the television without looking at two big brown eyes searching mine to see if food is in his future.
This morning, after stripping my sheets that have miscellaneous and unfortunate brown spots on them, I wonder what my sheets would be like if they didn’t capture my dog’s latest dirty caper each night.
I wonder what my home’s carpet would be like without the leaves and branches and backyard dirt that are crushed into its very fibers.
I wonder what a night’s sleep would be without a foot kicking me in the cheek or a 85 lbs draped over me causing a bright new hot flash.
I wonder what it would be like to eat my 100 calorie pack of cookies each night without having to share every other fudge striped cookie with a drooling partner (no, not my husband, my dog).
I wonder what it would be like to have hardwood floors without scratches marring its surface due to the many rounds of playtime.
I wonder what it would be like to get to work on time because I don’t need to drop my dog off at doggy daycare.
I wonder what it would be l like to have a car that smells like leather rather than that large hound dog that hangs out with my dog.
Then I remember my single days without kids or dogs.
I remember coming home to a clean apartment that was deathly quiet and devoid of life, except for my plants hanging in macramé plant holders that I made myself, dying slowing (because that’s what my plants do).
I remember watching television without any begging to break up the monotony of bad shows.
I remember waking up alone in the middle of the night after a bad dream and having nothing to hug.
I remember clean hardwood floors that shone for nobody at all.
So, I’m glad I have my dog. He requires attention, but brings a lot of laughter and love. He loves me unconditionally, and simply wants to hang out with his pack as often as possible. He wags his tail when I need it most.
I’ll trade pretty hardwood floors for him any day.