Aftermath 5/28/2023

By: Jennifer Richardson Holt

If you read last week’s blog, you know that my entire world has shifted rather significantly on its axis.  I no longer have the carefree existence that I once had.  I knew the changes were coming and I brought them upon myself, well, technically it was mostly my husband if we’re being honest, but I agreed to this development of epic proportions. Now, also, if you read last week then you may think I am being a tad overdramatic.  I assure you that I am not.  For those not in the loop, last weekend my family added a puppy. You might find my intro chuckle worthy, but I assure you, I am very accurate.

I had said that having a cat was simply having a roommate while having a dog (especially in puppy form) is having a baby. I mean if I am totally transparent, as I am typing this there is a warm fuzzy little pile of canine in the crook of my left arm. It is all legs and ears with its neck bent at a terribly awkward angle.  It’s adorable of course, oh but I know the truth of the matter.  Even my daughter commented on how cute she is when she’s sleeping. Ahh yes, my child. You will learn the magical angle of a sleeping little nugget. They’re always cute then. When they’re awake and wreaking havoc, well that’s another story altogether. You’ll learn my dear. You’ll learn. 

There have been nights full of lost sleep. The day following our first night with our new addition was a haze.  My daughter had her T-ball closing ceremonies that day and I just an hour or so ago, a week later remembered to get her trophy out of the back of the car. Oh, man that was a rough day. We, and by we, I mean my husband and myself, forgot all sorts of pivotal things and stumbled through the entire course of that day. Fear not though, because my daughter has not lost one ounce of sleep over this new venture.     You can’t see it, but I am rolling my eyes currently about this fact.  I am of the age now that even a week in, I am not sure that I have recovered from that night. This little pup had better be glad she is cute is all I am saying. I can see why our Creator thought it wise to make all infant creatures precious to behold or else every species would have died out long ago because, let’s be honest, there are times that babies of all sorts only have their squeezability going for them. I know, I know. That sounds so harsh. If you know though, you know.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that this teeny, little addition, despite weight less than three pounds, has decided that she is the alpha pet of the house. Now, we also have a cat. He is not a small fellow. As a matter of fact, not long ago at his annual vet visit it was noted he could stand to lose a few pounds.  Well, this bold little heifer nugget (and I know that isn’t the most eloquent of descriptors, but I assure you what it lacks in eloquence it makes up for in depiction of hard-headedness) has decided she is the alpha even to this sixteen plus pound self.  She regularly challenges him. She often tries to get him to play with her which merits the most disgusted facial expressions from him that I may have ever seen on any species in the history of my 42 years.  But she isn’t always only trying to get him to play. Oh no. Sometimes she is just bowing up at him for the sheer sake of challenging his role in the household. Now, where this tiny little giblet of animal got all those guts, I do not know but she certainly loves to show them off.  And yes, she has reaped a somewhat painful harvest on occasion when she pushes her feline housemate too far.

I already have stories I could tell you about her shenanigans.  She is, in true puppy form, a chewer and if you give her half a chance, she will chew anything. When she gets especially excited people are her favorite chew toys. I have the wounds to prove that.  She has done many other things of the classic, dealing with puppies, nature. Yes, it is often disgusting. And as I am typing I am getting annoyed thinking of all the places she has made deposits where she shouldn’t have.  And then I look over at the folded-up ball in my arm.  It amazes me every time how she does that. Looking at the cutest little chocolate colored wad you forget all the less than thrilling moments.  She occasionally twitches or whimpers. It’s so cute it is downright ridiculous.

It serves us well that we were made with memories that forget all the unpleasantness. If those terrible moments of no sleep, bodily fluids and misery stayed in our minds in any amount worth noting we most assuredly would have ceased reproducing ions ago.  But here we are, with babies and puppies and kittens and all manner of priceless little treasures which let us overlook all the foulness that is inseparably tied to them.  This is the way it was always supposed to be.

The puppy is currently draped across my daughter’s chest snoozing in unnecessarily adorable form.  They are bonded. Though my daughter doesn’t care for the fact that her puppy is constantly overwhelmed by the desire to chew on every speck of exposed flesh and clothing, she cannot help but want to be close to her. And what is so treasured is that the feeling is unmistakably mutual.   So here we sit. Tiny creatures and tiny humans.  Frustration is paired with ecstasy. Irritation unable to be separated from joy.  And am in the midst of it all. We’re beginning a journey.  Where it may take us remains to be seen.  I suppose all we know now is that, adventure awaits.