Bryley
24 October 2007
I brought home a dog several weeks ago. He is an eight-week-old Golden Retriever. We haven’t had a puppy in the house in a long time. I had forgotten how much attention a new puppy requires. I also had forgotten how much it stinks (no pun intended) to “clean up” his mess.
After debating several names, we all agreed the newest member of the family would be called Bryley. “Bry” for our three-year old Brynn; “ley” for our five year-old Bailey.
Bryley is a handful, to say the least. Interestingly, he has already managed to fall in love with my neighbor’s dog, whose name is Bailey. Bryley and Bailey (the dog, not my daughter) spent the weekend together recently while our family was on vacation. Ever since, whenever we take him outside to do his business, he immediately runs over to the gate that separates our yards. He just sits there, stares at the gate, and whimpers. Could this be similar to what Paris Hilton experienced for 23 days in June? Anyway, he then usually looks over at me with those “aren’t you going to feel sorry for me because I am a cute little puppy” eyes, I assume, in hopes that I will open the door to his canine cravings.
I must admit that to open or not to open the gate has become somewhat of a dilemma for me. Not at all because I dislike my neighbor, or my neighbor’s dog, or Bryley playing with my neighbor’s dog. What I do find disturbing is the re-entry ritual these two dogs repeatedly perform. Yes, I know all dogs do it. But it still makes me a little uncomfortable nonetheless. Maybe it is because we haven’t had a dog in the home in a few years. Maybe I need a little refresher course in the ways of doggie do’s. But I have to admit, if I may be so honest, that watching two dogs become reacquainted by sniffing one another’s rear is, at best to me, odd.
Imagine for a moment how funny life would be for us as humans if we too adopted such a gesture.
One word: Awkward.
Think about it.
I am married to Amy. I have two daughters, Bailey and Brynnan. Though we rarely have a winning season, I am a Razorback fan. I am a pastor, author, and communicator. I love teens, ice tea, Mac, and I believe any day is a good day when it is spent on my boat.
