Off Leash Men

Posted on May 6, 2014 under Storytelling with one comment

“And They Called it Puppy Love”

People love their pets. No. People are fanatical about their pets. Most of us tried our hand at budgie birds and goldfish when we were little, but our parents got tired of cleaning the bird cage and doing eulogies for deceased guppies.  We once acquired two male rabbits when our own children were little.   We even took them to the vet to make sure that they were both fellas.  We awoke one morning to find six babies.

And then there are dogs and cats.

In my youth, we had a Heinz 57 dog named Chipper.  The name didn’t really suit him because once he discovered table scraps he grew fat and lazy.  The only time he would perk up was when we got home from school.  He would run around us frantically with his tail spinning like a helicopter rotor.  When we had children of our own, we (?) decided to have a cat or two … or three, the last one covertly brought into the house in an ATV helmet.

It seems that almost every other person has a dog these days.  One must be extremely careful not to make any disparaging comments about man’s best friend in front of dog owner.  Or to take their responsibilities lightly.  For many, their pets are full-fledged members of the family.

The other day I went for a walk down Main Street and saw a parade of pit bulls prancing down the sidewalk with their owners and a trainer in tow.  One of the owners was my neighbor.   I casually mentioned to her that Betty should try and train me. “I have an extra collar and leash at home!” she retorted.  She was serious.  She didn’t even crack a smile.

Last weekend, I had friends over for coffee.  Two of the couples had made a trip down to Boston and it had been necessary to board their dogs.  They were heading off to pick up their four legged friends and could hardly wait to see them.  A university student being picked up by his parents would not have received as warm a welcome after completing a year of studies.

My wife wanted a dog after all our children had made the final leap from the nest.  She thought that it would be nice to have a reason to go for a walk every day.  We held off until the grandchildren started arriving.  Now she has lots of company on her walks … and three strollers and a wagon!  I haven’t heard any puppy persuasion lately.

Although … one of the grandkids is crazy about cats …

I’m just yanking your chain.

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