Bluegrass Mickey

I am not a dog person, but I did briefly adopt a dog. It didn't work out well, and yet the problems all should have been surmountable.

The dog is a brittany spaniel, and he looks just like what a dog ought to look like, with floppy ears and a waggy tail. It's a high-energy dog and needs exercise, but I'm a low-energy human. Well, I tried walking him two miles a day. The walking part is all right, except for other people's dogs . . ! Lots of stray dogs in this neighborhood, and Bluegrass wanted to see them all. Scared the s*** out of me. I am not brave, nor knowing of what to do around a bunch of dogs.

There is also the cat issue. I have two old, fat cats. Actually, I did get them to tolerate each other, with constant supervision and training. It was hard on the cats, and they stopped going out in the backyard or into certain rooms - and there aren't that many rooms in this little house! I have a very small house, built without modern standards. The hallway is tiny, and none of the animals would go through the hall if another was in it. Since the best breeze is in the hallway, it's a favorite sleeping spot. So I would call the dog, he'd get as far as the hallway and stop. Or a cat would be trying to get to the litter box and halt. A dog and a cat would be in a mexican stand-off, and I had to escort the animal through.

Plus he bit a kid, but that was the kid's fault and mine for not seeing the obvious coming. Frankly, I would have bit that kid too.

Argh! I miss that dog, and I hate to think of him back at the resucer's. She's a great lady and he has a decent home there, but she doesn't really want him. I like the little feller, but I don't think I'm a very good dog owner. But I will tell you, I cried much more when I took that dog back than I ever cried over a man.

I don't know if I should go get him back or not. I wish I was smarter and braver and better than I am. I felt so bad for the cats, when Bluegrass was here. I was frightened during the walks. & my backyard really needs revamping so he can't get into trouble (escape or get his head stuck in the air conditioner again).

But I miss his smiling face and happy tail.

aaiiiii!!