My Lucy is a ratty, underweight, brown and white terrier mix with bald spots on her legs, and the boniness of an underweight roasting chicken. I originally saw photos of her online and passed on to the next dog- like me, she doesn't photograph well. But when we walked into the Bideawee shelter in Manhattan, it was love. She was sweet, shy, playful, and didn't bite. Perfect.
I find myself doing things I never thought I would do as a dog owner... or a sane person. While I don't have her strapped to a baby carrier and tote her all over Brooklyn, here are just a few of the things I can't believe I do because I love Lucy.
1) I am out of my house at 6:40 walking my dog. (just a few short months ago, I complained daily on Facebook how I always missed the school bus.)
2) I am picking up canine waste in public and carrying it around in a lavender scented bag until we reach home.
3) I am telling my dog (in public) that barking in excess is not polite.
4) I am on my knees on random blocks ripping bones that she finds on the street from her jaw as she clamps down tighter. "Seriously Lucy, if chicken bones were diamonds, I'd be a millionaire!"
5) I do a happy dance over outdoor excrement and urine. As Joe shakes his head in embarrassment I explain that I'd much rather Tango over pee outside than clean up the poop deck inside.
6) With an extra name in the house I find myself calling my daughter Joycee, Lucy mistakenly.
7) I am gushing to a pup. I am talking in a very high pitched 'mommy talking to baby' language. As she stares at me with her brown saucer eyes, I know that she too feels the same.
8) I admire other dogs on the street, I ask about the breed, the name, and the vet they chose. I make small talk with strangers walking their pets.
9 ) I proudly show friends photos of our newest addition.
10) I realize that the impatience I have with my kids is my problem alone. If I can teach a dog in a calm voice not to pee in my house, not to scratch my furniture, and not to chew on my shoes, it would only be fair if while doing homework I extend my kids the same courtesy.
Yes, rescuing a dog has changed the dynamics of our home, and so far...it's been for the better.
