Back in 1998, I was in a pet store to see the chinchillas. Basically to kill time and entertain myself. On the way to the chinchilla cages, I walked passed a man with two white and brown bunnies snuggled up asleep. I mean, bunny vs chinchilla. What is more interesting?
Turns out these sleeping creatures were NOT bunnies. They were Jack Russell puppies and one of them just happened to be waiting to be named Henry.
Henry is now approaching elderly and is a sweet little dog. Who worries way too much. About everything. I had noticed he was getting more and more neurotic, licking, sleeping too much and generally seeming depressed.
This was not really a surprise because Henry and I had had a fellow traveler. In 1999 I acquired a "girlfriend" for Henry. Another Jack Russell puppy named Izzie.
Izzie died in July 2006 (a really really bad year). We missed Izzie terribly and I couldn't bring myself to get another dog at the time. However, this past summer, with Henry seeming so depressed, I began searching for a new companion for him. Some little beastie to draw him and be a jolt of energy to his system.
I was careful to consider this. I wanted a friend for Henry who could respect his place in the pecking order. (Girl terriers are known for being a bit pushy about a pecking order.) I looked and looked, saw a couple different dogs and really gave it thought. I didn't think I was ready to do this, then I met Annie.
Annie is a young little thing. I was told she was about 9 months old when I met her in August. She was youthful, energetic and it turns out that she really enjoys Henry. And once the jealousy wore off, I think Henry really enjoys her. It is very sweet seeing them play together.
As a side note: I found out in November after getting Annie's adoption fee paid and mentally committing to this endeavor, Henry was hypothyroid. I could have save a bundle if I'd only known sooner!!
Overall, I'd say Annie has been a good addition to my menagerie of one.
Until today.
I call her Tiny Destructo. She has pulled the internet cable out of the house, necessitating a visit from AT&T UVerse dudes. She has gutted several of Henry's stuffed animals. I've managed to rescue them a couple of times with needle and thread. They are currently in a dresser drawer awaiting their next surgical event. She's stolen barrettes and taken into the yard to destroy (unsuccessful!). She has gnawed some of my wooden chair rungs. Thankfully not the wood of the antique set, but I'm not happy about the new set either. And one of the more irritating feats - she chewed my favorite nasty pair of old kick around Dansko clogs. Life will never be the same...
Today she was at her finest. Let's just say I thought the flower pillow was something of a security blanket that she liked to carry around.
Evidently, I was wrong. Today it snowed in Texas.
What can you do?
I picked it up and reminded myself that this was my mess for not being more vigilant and offered up a silent prayer for puppy-hood to be over quickly...
bmh
