We’re now in what I hope is the middle of staying at home due to COVID-19. It’s been a long 7 weeks or so of teleworking, keeping kids motivated to do work, and uncovering new and old problems here at the house. We’re busy, that’s for sure, as neither my nor my husband’s job has lightened up. One of the best parts of being home is our pets. We have lots of pets. That’s not subjective, it’s a fact. There are 4 dogs living here most days of the week. Three are ours–a lab, a golden doodle, a cavalier king charles spaniel. The 4th belongs to my oldest daughter’s boyfriend. Both he and his dog share an apartment that’s above our garage. So, yes, 4 dogs technically live here and 3 are for certain the number that I provide direct care, feeding, love, shelter for all the time. The bonus dog is, thankfully, a little guy. He’s all of about 20 pounds during his fat days and even dogs have fat days. Winston’s weight roller…
In just over a week we will be getting a new puppy. We’re already decided her name will be Rosie though we went through a time thinking her name would be Ruby. We also went through a time where not only would she have a different name, she’d also be a different breed. You see, just after the New year, which was more than 1/2 a year ago, my middle daughter, Kate, who was then 12 decided that she wanted a new puppy. The breed she had set her eye on was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Once she’d made her decision, our entire house was covered with pictures of Corgi pups. These were her way of communicating just how very much she wanted a Corgi. They were placed as constant reminders so that when i opened the fridge, put on my shoes, brushed my hair in the mirror, opened my bedroom door, did just about anything around the house i’d see a picture of a Corgi and be reminded of how much Kate wanted a Corgi. Truth is though that what she really wanted was a puppy of nearly any breed…
There have been times in my laboratory animal career where I’ve been convinced that I’m trapped in an episode of Candid Camera. Candid Camera was a popular TV show when I was a kid. Video cameras were hidden to catch people reacting to unusual or surprising situations that the show set up. Though the situations were set-ups, the people’s reactions were real and oftentimes hilarious. One of my most memorable Candid Camera moments came when I was working in a University laboratory animal research facility. Most of our animal rooms and offices were in the basement of the building. Outside of the basement, a few labs containing animals were sprinkled here and there, strategically placed to ensure that different types of research didn’t cross paths. Late one afternoon my office phone rang. It was a male voice with a foreign accent. The man informed me that he was lost in our building. He was trying to make a delivery to the cafeteria and he had my name and number as a contact. Though I love to eat, I assured the man that he must have the wrong information as I was…
"When you lose your dog, there's a hole in your heart as big as the sun. Your head aches all the time and you are so empty inside because you are half the girl you used to be."