And the phone rings...Woof Woof

We all know that kids tend to bug their parents when parents talk on the phone. Whether it's because the kids want a lollipop or want to pinch their sister, maybe play a video game they’ve already been told “no” about, they know that if mom's on the phone, the immediate reaction won't be as bad as if she were off the phone. And even if it happens when she’s off, who cares!

Well, my precious Nala has bad phone behavior, too. And the weird thing is, only when I talk to certain people. My kids tell me I have different phone voices for different people - a business voice, a voice for my mom, a few for different friends. Anyway, any time the phone rings, Nala comes to check out who’s calling, and I guess she knows those voices, too. If it’s my mom, she starts to bark (Nala, not my mom). I’ve had to walk away from my kids when I’m on the phone because of the pestering  and I’ve had to walk away from Nala, even put her in the upstairs bedroom (or put myself there), because she just barks, and sometimes she even starts that crazy run around growly thing she does.

Don’t get me wrong, I know perfectly well why she does this. I’ve created this bad dog behavior, me, it’s all me. When she was a puppy, I would often take her out when I was on the phone. So now she knows, phone= mini walk. And what dog doesn’t like a walk, even a mini one. 

So I still do it. I know - wrong thing for a mom to do. It’s like giving your three old the lollipop she asked for when you’re on the phone because it’s easier than saying “no”and listening to crying/arguing/screaming. So I take Nala out - still. It’s easier than listening to her bark/snarl/ run around. And she usually actually does her dog business, comes in feeling good and refreshed. And if I’m still on the phone, she barks again when we come inside and her leash is off. And guess what - against my better judgement, I go ahead and give her that biscuit!

Good Bye My Friends

Sadly, this piece needs to take on a more serious note. Nala and I want to send our sympathies and sadness to so many of our friends who have recently lost their dogs. I guess many of my age group (not saying but you can probably figure it out) are dealing with elderly dogs. People get married in their later 20's, get a dog as their first child, and by the time they reach their, ummm, 40's, their dogs have hit old age.

It's devastating to watch your dog decline. To see your friend who used to run and play, beg for food, jump on your bed, be unable to do those things. To witness their pain, their weight loss, the look of weariness in their eyes. It is truly heartbreaking. Three of my friends just gave their dogs sleep in the past few months, and I cried for each one. The innocence of a dog combined with their trust is why they are such dear friends to us, and why their loss is truly the loss of a family member. I know, I've done it ,too. 

I don't know the words to say to console, just that dog's lives are way to short, I think it's all the goodness in them (yes, even in Nala), and that we are blessed to have them in our family for as long as we do, and in our hearts forever. 

I know that these dogs new to Heaven are there running and playing, chasing balls and swimming, doing all those things that age and pain and arthritis wouldn't allow them to do anymore. I can never read about a dog dying without crying, whether in truth or fiction, so my eyes are filling as I write this. 

So for Joshua and Megan and Chewbacca, you were greatly loved and brought your families great joy. We'll miss you, but you will forever be in our hearts. And while I'm on it, I still miss you, Sasha. 

Okay, off to wipe my eyes and play with Nala, she needs to chase a ball (or do I just need some dog right now?).