A boy and (not) his dog

It's really too bad that I'm not a dog person.

Or a cat person, as it turns out. I don't know if it's because I'm "the mom" (they tell me that's what I am) or what, but our cat will come and meow and meow and meow at me like she's one of my own whiney children and it drives me nuts. She doesn't cuddle. She makes huge messes with her food. 

I have turned into my mom: "Animals belong outside!"

Like, I have enough trouble keeping up with my humans, thank you very much. 

And as needy as our kitty is, I imagine dogs to be much, much needier. They need walking and playing and they're all the time panting with their stinky doggy breath and shedding their doggy fur. 

But I can understand why people love them and it's really too bad I'm not a dog person because Benjamin is a dog person. Or, at least, he is a dog's person. 

I attend the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) and our mascot—evidently the greatest in college football history—is a...dog (again, Go Dawgs!)...specifically an English bulldog (Go Dawgs!). But because of the whole dog thing, Athens tends to be a very dog-friendly city. That's perhaps an overgeneralization, but I've seen dogs lots of places on campus and around town that I haven't seen on other university campus/towns. People are very proud of their dogs. 

At the beginning of the semester, one of my classes celebrated National Dog Day by having everyone send in a picture of a dog, which he put on a slideshow, and then gave everyone the opportunity to talk about their dogs. I don't have a dog, so I talked about Luna (who we walk several times a week) and Titus (who is Darla's dog). But other people had a dog or several dogs.

More than one person talked about how much they love their dog and how much their dog loves [some other person]. They'd be like, "This is my dog. I love my dog. My dog tolerates me, but loves my spouse, which is ridiculous because I got the dog before I met my spouse!" Another person in class was like, "This is my dog, who actually only likes [another person in class]. He's grumpy with everybody, but loves [person.]"

And I thought that was very interesting because dogs are supposed to be loyal, right?

I don't really know. My main objective in life (regarding dogs) has been to stay away from them—again, the panting and the drooling and the snapping jaws that could turn on you at any moment. 

I've been battling my fear of dogs for years and I'm actually in a really good place. Did I mention we walk the neighbour's dog several times a week? Me—a walker of dogs! Imagine that. 

Anyway, last weekend the neighbour's dog got out and was just...having a blast running around the neighbourhood. They were out shaking treats and holding up favourite toys and she was just...ignoring them and romping around in the leaves in the woods (apparently she likes autumn). 

"I'm going to outside to help them catch Luna," Benjamin said.

I admit I was skeptical about his ability to help but, folks, that boy walked outside, called, "LUNA!" and that dog flew to him like a needle to the north pole! She crashed into him so hard she bowled him over and she just started licking him all over, wagging her tail with elation. 

Elation!

That dog was elated to see Benjamin. 

And perhaps you're thinking that's a fluke, but I tell you it's not because yesterday Luna got out again and the neighbours were out with their treats and their toys calling, "Luna! Luuuuuuuna!"

"Hey, Benjamin," I joked. "Luna's out again. You should go catch her for the neighbours."

So out he went. 

"LUNA!" he called and again, Luna came to him—immediately, enthusiastically. 

It's got to be that kind of magical connection that people are after when they get a dog, isn't it? 

I've said it before and I'll say it again—the neighbours getting that puppy was rather convenient for my puppiless kids!