Four years With The Thicctator (Part 1 of 2)

The sweet, tender, frightened dog has a shadow side

We have had Ruthie for four years. We love her a lot. Until I met Ruthie, I did not understand what it was to truly love and be loved by a non-human creature. I loved Merle, my last dog, and Merle liked me, but we were just buddies. That’s fine, there was nothing wrong with Merle, or our relationship. Merle needed a friend. Ruthie is different. Ruthie needs a mom, and I take that seriously. 

Ruthie’s most immediately visible characteristic, other than being adorable, is her nervousness.

I know I have discussed this before, but there’s always more to say. 

You know how most people just walk out the door with their dogs on a leash, make their way to a nearby sidewalk and walk merrily along together?

That’s not us. The idea of kicking my leg up carelessly behind me as I walk down a street with Ruthie is as impossible sounding to me as the idea that I will one day walk into the kitchen to find her standing upright at the stove, stirring risotto and drinking a glass of Pinot Grigio.