My Secret

When our pet, Gracie Mae died in 2007 I was sad. I cried - we'd lost our pet, but that same week Annie Marie moved to Great Bend taking her dog PJ with her. We were used to having her and PJ with us. Annie had spent the last 9 months in Wichita working on her Master's Degree so during that year Gracie, PJ & I spent much time together. When Annie, PJ, and Gracie were gone I was LONELY during the days and some seemed pretty long. But, I was adamant - NO MORE PETS!

Sometime in November or December the girls commented on how much their Dad missed Gracie and PJ - he walked them every morning and spent time out in the yard with them. They began to ask if they could get him another Springer... When Jacqueline, Jordan, & Jazzy arrived for Christmas they brought the cutest little black and white springer with them - I furnished a soft red blanket for them to "gift wrap" her in. Bob was very happy.

These past 2.2 years Bob and Maddie have become great friends. Despite promises to train her and have her be a well-behaved pet, Bob has only taught her "Let's go for a walk" and "Do you want to go outside?" She behaves by jumping up and heading to either the front door for a walk or the back door for going outside. She will occasionally sit on command especially if there is food or a treat involved. Also, if our Mothers are here she will sit or get down so as not to knock them over. She loves her "grandmas" and is crazy about her master.

I work part-time 9 months of the year, so I am home with Maddie for hours a day. We have worked on some manners and commands. She will fetch or retrieve her toys, tennis balls and anything else I will throw for her and when she returns with it she will "drop" on command and wait for me to throw it again. Maddie will also "come" (some times very reluctantly) and will follow my command to "sit", "get down", or "go outside". I am very proud of her when she obeys and praise her, BUT if her master is here she rarely obeys me and will run to her Master as if to say "I don't have to obey her when you're here do I?"

This training has led to some bonding. Since I've been laid up these past few months with my knee and back, my secret has become suspect by some of our relatives. Then one day I thought - if I want to have Maddie lay on my lap or beside me in the chair what does it matter what others think? Yes, I allow her on the furniture and the bed. She even takes naps, laying on a towel at the end of the bed. Recently in her effort to guard me, she refused to lay on the towel and snuggled up close to me ready to protect me from who knows what in my sleep. She has cuddled up at my feet during the night when I had to get up and take pain medication. On the times when I was on strong medication and ate a piece of jerky to keep my stomach calm she would patiently wait for a piece of the jerky and YES she got it. Guess my secret is out - I love this little dog! She is such a great companion and great company. She doesn't argue with me, she'll wait patiently even if she doesn't get that piece of jerky, and she sticks like glue wanting to make sure I'm okay. I may not be the #1 Master, but she'll still be my friend and she'll let me think I'm in control when Bob isn't at home!