To the pets at the Martindale house,
There are some things I think you need to know. I am not the only one in this family that needs you.
There are a whole family of little people who would love it if you slept alongside of their beds, who would love it if you laid your head up on their laps and looked at them with those precious puppy eyes. And they may even love it if you waited outside the bathroom door for them to reappear and play with you.
Trust me, I am really confident that I don't need you to wait outside the bathroom door every time I go in...I have children to do that....lots of them. And if I just want to get away and I close any door behind me, it is not necessary to scratch and whine at the door because you think I can't live without you by my side. I will be find without you for awhile. Can you say attachment disorder?!
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| Diego, the giant labradoodle |
Diego, have you seen our bedroom? It is just big enough for a queen bed and a nightstand..maybe even a fourteen year old boy who makes his way near us on the floor somehow most nights...there is just enough room on each side of the bed for a person to walk sideways along the wall...I am pretty sure there is not room for a horse-sized dog to sleep on my side of the bed...especially, when I have to get up so often during the night and can never see to find my glasses on the nightstand?
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| The 3 amigos?...well here are the 3 "Mias"-- Elijah has two stuffed cats (he calls them "he" and "she") that he named Mia... the real cat came after them...now there are 3. |
And Mia, do you really think I need you on my lap after all the children are in bed? The lap time is taken up all day by the littlest ones in the family....sometimes my lap just needs a break...trust me on that one. I know you may need lap time....could you find another lap to snuggle on? There are plenty to go around...why, or why, is it me you choose each evening?
When I am cooking the meals around here, I can do that all by myself and I am sure that there are kids to help me...you don't need to follow behind me at every turn...I move fast and unexpectedly...you have to know that by now...I have stepped on you enough for you to have learned that maybe following me around isn't the best idea.
I appreciate your loyalty...each one of you. You have helped heal hearts in our family when we were grieving. You protect us with your ferocious bark..even if you couldn't hurt a flea. Unless the medical supply company driver has an irrational fear of being licked to death., I think strangers around here are pretty safe. You provide comfort and fun and unconditional love to each of us. You are so easily forgiving when we get mad at you or give you a bad haircut...
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| Honey and one of her bad haircuts. |
I am thankful that we have you as part of our family...you have helped teach tenderness and compassion to our kids who needed to learn those skills. You have shown us love in when everything seemed to be falling apart around us. Don't get me wrong, I love each one of you....but could you find someone else in the family to follow around?!
