I Never Wanted a Dog

I could begin a dozen little essays with that statement!

I never wanted a dog.

But you guessed it- I have one. And because I do, there must have been some little part of me that DID in fact, want a dog. And I'll tell you right now, that all twelve of those little "I never wanted a dog" essays would conclude with some equivalent of "...but I'm sure glad I have one."

For today, though, let's stick with the fact that I didn't want a dog...and why. Like many women my age, who have survived the messiest and most frustrating parts of raising children, I did not want: muddy paws on clothes and floors, daily walks in rain and snow and sleet and hail, vet bills, "potty" training, and the hassle of finding a dog sitter when I wanted to be away from home.

Enter the antagonist- a little boy. A little boy who happened to be my son, Jordan, but who was like most little boys in one way-he wanted a dog. Badly. He began to make this known in earnest when he was five. We finally got the dog when he was 15. I have to credit him for persevering through a ten year "campaign."

Jordan was clever with his tactics. At age five, he tried this: "Mom? Will you have another baby?" I'll save you the back and forth dailogue, but be assured that I said a firm "No" to the baby idea, despite the very cute way he pleaded his case- that he wanted a little brother or sister, that he wanted to push it in a stroller, that he would help with diapers, that he would teach it things, and of course a lot of "please, please, please!!!"

NO, Jordan.

"Okay, then can I have a dog?" he asked.

As I said, clever! Nice try! A+!!! But, NO.

Jordan made many other attempts over the years, to acquire a dog. One is cute enough to mention, and another is worth mentioning because it's the one that "got me." First...somewhere around age 11, Jordan took to the computer and generated MANY 4x6 signs that read "Mom, I want a dog, PLEASE!" And I began finding those signs in the most unusual places- my underwear drawer, hanging from a hanger in my closet, in the book on my nightstand, under my pillow, in my running shoe...I'm sure there were some strategically placed in the kitchen, too. Every once in awhile, one still shows up. Many parents would have caved in and thought it a fantastic surprise to give the boy a puppy for Christmas. Not me. I held firm. I didn't want a dog.

Then...we learned about opportunities to have a puppy TEMPORARILY, and raise it and train it until age 2, in preparation for it to become a seeing eye dog. Now this intrigued me. Puppy raising with a mission. Puppy raising for a purpose. AND, the puppy comes with free vet visits, free grooming, built-in puppy sitters, and a limited stay-two years. Jordan saw the opening...he caught the hesitation in my thinking...after 10 long years, he could almost taste victory. But, he still had some work to do. When I learned that the puppy raising meant driving 30 minutes once a week for training classes...classes that the boys usually wouldn't be able to attend because of their sports schedules, I said no. I was not going to engage in yet another activity that would take me away from them and away from home...not that year...not with Brad applying to college, and so much more.

But my heart had opened. Jordan knew it. In a very adult manner, he laid it all out. "Mom, you know you would like this. I know it's hard work, but look at it this way- we get a puppy now, and for the next two years I will help you get it through the hardest part. Then, when I leave to go to college, you'll have a great companion. And besides, Mom, I think we need something to take care of. I think that's what we all need."

He circled ads in the newspaper, he reminded me that I could call them while I drove to work, he said we should just go and LOOK at them and start learning more before we say no again. And in a few days there we were- Jordan, Brad, Erik and me, falling in love with Golden Retriever puppies on a farm in Medina.

I did it for Jordan. I did it so he- the youngest child in the family- could have something to take care of. My emotions gave way. I caved in. I did it. I told no one in advance, because I didn't want to hear my own reasons why not, thrown back at me.

I did it out of love, I did it for change, I did it very simply, for him.

And every once in awhile, he says to me "Mom? Can you even imagine life without Riley?" And honestly, I can, but I don't like the way that feels. Riley is part of the family. Muddy paws are welcome here.