A Girl and Her Dog

A girl with a dog is a lucky thing, I guess a girl with three dogs is three times as lucky.

I think all kids should have pets. I can't imagine having grown up without them. Maybe I'll start a campaign...The world would be a brighter place if all kids had dog...

From Associated Content: For the child a dog is a built-in playmate there for the pure pleasure of having fun. When children play together it often turns into an argument over the rules, accusations of unfairness, hurt feelings and mock fighting that sometimes turns into the real thing. Those things never happen when your child is playing with a dog. The dog is just thrilled to have the child's attention; he doesn't care what game it is. Whether they are playing ball, fetching a stick, or just lying in the grass together, they are comfortable and secure in each other's company.

A dog can be your child's soul mate; a caring being she can turn to when she's upset and unhappy and needs an outlet for pent-up emotions. The dog comforts the child with his presence and unconditional love. Too often well-meaning parents offer advice when all a child really needs is love and consolation. She can tell all his problems to his dog without fear of criticism and being told that he is wrong to feel the way he does. Kids think that their parents don't understand them (even though we've all been children ourselves this is a foreign concept to a child) but doggie knows just exactly what they're feeling.

It still surprises me that we have a Boxer - it's not exactly a breed I would have sought out, I don't think, had the circumstances upon which we picked him not been present. A Boxer? They're all slobbery and hyper and bouncy and kind of ugly and everybody has one...but what good pets they are!

Charlotte & Keeper share oreos. That sounds gross. Charlotte takes her bowl of mini oreos over to Keeper and sits down with him on the rug. She licks out the middle and then gives the leftovers to Keep. While Keeper's taking a nap on the rug, Charlotte lines up her farm animals and plays on his belly. She runs around the house with her corn popper, chasing Keeper and he runs, turns around, tries to get the popper, runs some more - not terrified (Moses & Eloise are hiding under the sofa), tail wagging, having fun. Charlotte also likes to sit down with Keeper and point out his body parts: elbow, knee, head, eye, belly, toes, feet...then she'll run off and reappear with her favorite pair of converse sneakers to put on his feet. When it's time for a bath she'll call him to come with her and he'll trot in. As the tub is filling up she'll fill up a cup and pour it out...he'll drink it up...then she'll call him and he'll try to get in the tub, I fuss at him and make sure he stays put. When Charlotte does her puzzles he sits by and watches...he's curious when she plays with her dollhouse. He plays along with her games she makes up.

For instance: Charlotte has 6 different colored sponges. She carries them and scatters them around the dining room. Then she goes and gets Keeper's collar and pulls him into the room. She takes him around, pointing out each sponge. When she decides the one she wants him to get, she lets go of his collar and points. He picks up the sponge and she laughs and then he trots away. She waits a few seconds, comes running after him and tells him no no no! and he spits out the sponge and the game is repeated, over and over...He plays in the sandbox with her, that's something else I'm trying to break. Of course, he'll go and lay in his patch of sandy dirt on top of the hill and Charty will climb out of her box and tote her toys up to his patch.

Keeper is also helping us teach Charlotte how to be more gentle with Moses & Eloise. He tolerates a whole lot but we also practice, over and over again, gentle touch, so now Charlotte will plop down next to me & Moses and she'll hum and pet him. Eloise still keeps her distance, she'll come and sit with us as a family but if it's just Charlotte...well...I think she'll probably hold out until the magical age of 3 when Charty begins to understand empathy.

Maybe I'm having a sappy week - but I've just been so touched as to how sweet Charlotte's relationship is with her dogs, especially Keeper. It still amazes me that a 1 year old Boxer pup is so patient and gentle with a toddler...

Charlotte also really likes Starbright, I think it's because she's so soft and white and sweet and will let Charty pet her and love on her a little.

Eloise is doing well after her surgery. She's recuperating wtih Toni & Norman, watching some Judge Judy. Allow me a little clarification from last post, I love Eloise. She is not really driving me crazy, she is a sweet, sweet dog, that's only neurotic, you know, occassionally but for the most part (most of you don't get to see this part of her) she's an angel, really. Lots of times, I'll write more of a parody of a situation that the reality of it, you know, for the sake of humor and laughs? But I had a couple of people calling me wanting to take Eloise off my hands! I felt terrible and guilty. We miss Eloise!

And my fat balls? Keeper has already gained 4 pounds.