Pajamas' Special Gift

I have fond memories of my childhood dogs comforting me when I cried.  My first dog Christie would stand close and let me bury my face in her back with my little arms wrapped around her neck. My second dog, Bailey would come to my side at the first sign of tears and let me stroke her ears, listening patiently to my woes.

But Pajamas has them all beat. Pj will be fast asleep on her side of the couch, as the movie I am watching comes to a dramatic end.  I sniff as the first tears form in my eyes and Pj's head snaps up, ears lifted  "Mom? What's wrong?"  She quickly runs along the back of the couch and perches herself above my face. She licks my cheeks, my nose, my eye lids.  Slowly at first, but as the tears continue to flow her licking becomes more determined.  She is relentless.  She licks each tear before it has a chance to roll down my cheek and she doesn't stop until my sniffs turn to laughter and my eyes no longer tear.

I giggle and Pj's tail starts to wag, but she doesn't stop licking.  My giggles turn to all out laughter and I stroke either side of her face "Ok, ok I'm good Peej!"  She pulls back and inspects my face.  No more tears.  Her work is done.  She gives me one final lick and then makes her way back to her own side of the couch and drifts back off to sleep.

The bond between a girl and her dog is certainly something to behold!

A Quiet House

I am leaving on vacation this afternoon and had to drop Pajamas off at my Aunt's house yesterday. I cannot believe how empty my house feels with out her there. I find myself watching for her under foot while I do the dishes, even though I know she isn't there. I am careful where I move my feet at the end of the bed at night, so as not to kick her as she sleep. I even found myself regretting having to make the trip outside for a bedtime pee last night before I realized I didn't have to take her out.

I stepped on her bone this morning as I was getting dressed and I smiled despite the pain. A scan of my room reveals just how thoroughly my dog fills my home. Her toy hippo that she carries with her to bed and uses as a pillow on the couch is laying in the middle of the floor, next to her furry pink kong that we play tug with. There are one, two, three, four bones laying around the room as well. The carpet is covered in dirty puppy prints that I haven't been able to remove on my own. I'll need to get a carpet steamer.

I walk up my hallway and see her empty dishes and her empty bed. I hear my upstairs neighbor come in and there is no barking, or growling or scrapping of her nails on the floor. I suppose I should be thankful for this peace and quiet, but all I feel is loneliness.

- First posted June 13th 2010