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2008 02 15

Column

Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v05n04)

Howling at the Moon by Susan Smith

posted: Feb. 15, 2008

As I am leaving for San Diego to attend the Global Pet Expo, I am sharing with you today my column written by Jamie Marx, owner of the Nutty Mutt Bakery in Greenfield, Indiana. She reads the Gazette and asked if she could contribute. Go Jamie.....and thank you for filling in while I am away.

When I finally caved to the wishes of my children to get a dog, I thought I had prepared myself for the changes that a 60-lb Lab/Shepard mix would inevitably bring. I might have been a little unrealistic in my thinking, since all of the pets in my adult life, up to this point, had been cats. In fact, I am very much a cat person. I like their independence and cleanliness. At the same time, being an animal nut in general and fairly sure that owning a dog would be good for my kids, I was up for the challenge. There were, however, a few things that I failed to anticipate:

That my black cat, Spooky, would live up to her name and hide in my closet the entire first six months after the dog came to live with us
That I would have to be ungodly diligent about cleaning poop out of the litter box so that the dog wouldn't drag it all over the floor or eat it. Kitty litter on her nose was always a dead give-away.
That half of my discretionary budget would go to the dog-dog food, dog treats, dog chews, dog toys, dog leashes, dog bandannas, a dog bed and dog collars.
That I would have to take out a home equity loan to pay for the yearly vet exams, heartworm medicine, flea control, and anti-itch, soap-free shampoo.
That the extremely small patch of white fur on her otherwise all-black and tan coat would consistently end up on my black pants before I arrived at work.
That in a houseful of teenagers, she would be the only one who would still respond to me as if I were a goddess, or for that matter, would even want to be seen with me.
That separation anxiety would go both ways as I would find myself drawn to home much more because of the presence of this licking, smelly, adorable mutt.
That car rides to the grocery store or to pick up kids from activities now involve panting in my ear and car air freshener known as "doggy breath.
That my dog would be smart enough to sit, shake, lie down, speak, and stay in the yard, and at the same time bark at concrete rabbits.
That she would be sneakier than James Bond when it comes to gobbling up the cat's canned food after the cat is done eating.
That my dog would know the honest-to-goodness difference, with no variance in the inflection in my voice, the difference between "car" and "bath."
That rainy mornings would bring a new sense of dread, realizing that I would be standing out in the rain, under an umbrella, in my pajamas, listening to myself say, "C'mon, go potty" and get nothing in response but sad eyes and droopy ears.
That this dog would become a part of our family's soul, be in every photograph we take, and eventually even touch noses with the cat.

Susan Smith is a life-long area resident and is the owner of City Dogs Grocery located at 52nd and College. Send your pet related questions/comments to susan@BroadRippleGazette.com

susan@broadripplegazette.com

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