Connor's addition was not a spur of the moment irrational knee jerk "oh he's so cute" action. There hadn't been a dog in the house for eight years and after debating for the last two years all the stars aligned and voila'. Connor.
Some of you at this very moment are thinking I'm terribly irresponsible. How can a man who can't move faster than a snail, who is fighting the Effing Evil Empire, a man who the pundits say, and if you believe them [I don't], is not long for this time, bring a poor little puppy into his life?
My answer is I can still take care of a puppy and the things I can't do, well I have an incredible caregiver that picks up my slack. Really not the point here though.
I have read that pets do wondrous things for the infirm. I don't need to read to understand that now. Since Connor showed up I have laughed, smiled, been concerned and just overall entertained. I even oft times feel better than I should.
Of course I've been pissed off too. Afterall he is just a puppy with a "thirty second puppy memory" and "selective hearing." Of course he doesn't understand when the deaf foul breathed old cat slaps him in the face that it's not an invitation for frivolity. He's a puppy and he'll grow up to be a better friend than he already is.
The other night I was terribly sick, it happens, and Connor sat and looked on in confusion as I was retching. In between retches I asked my caregiver to put him out so he didn't have to watch. Finally, retching stopped Connor came back in. Normally, as part of his training, if Connor comes in when called, he may or may not get a little dog treat. So he's gotten to where he comes in and sits patiently at the top of the stairs to see if he's hit the dog treat lottery or not.
Not that trip back in. He was so worried he came bounding up to me as only a puppy can, truly worried. A ruffle of his ears by me and lick of my wrists by Connor and he was satisfied that I was once again good to go. Melted my heart it did.
I'm not advocating that all of you fighting the Effing Evil Empire run out and get a dog. Dogs aren't for everyone. I know a person that actually abhors dogs. What I will say, and you can't stop me, sometimes this disease makes me feel useless. Not worthless, useless. It's pretty cool to have someone, in my case Connor, that I can effectively take care of.
So if you don't like dogs or aren't lucky enough to have someone who can take up your slack maybe a gold fish. Even a goldfish needs to be fed, change it's water and someone to talk to.
Admittedly, a goldfish won't do stupid ass stuff that makes you laugh your ass off like Connor trying to figure out the hanging birdbath. But anything that can get ones mind off E³ is better than any prescription drug.
Talk to you later
