Pet Memories

I can't remember a time when there was not a pet in my life. In fact, my Mama and Daddy had a dog a long time before I was born, that was so jealous of me that they had to get rid of him! I've only seen that one in pictures, but he sure was cute.

There have been many really memorable dogs in my life, but mentioning three will make my point, I think.

My childhood puppy was a beautiful registered golden Cocker Spaniel, named Cindy (short for Cinderella). Mama took care of her ... all the feeding and cleaning up poop chores.

Then there was Skipper, a white boxer, that I begged and begged to get, after Cindy had died. I promised to feed him and clean up after him, and my parents finally gave in. So how did that work out? Mama took care of him ... all the feeding and cleaning up poop chores.

Then came Caesar, a mix of ? (anybody's guess is as good as mine). He was a great companion for our own children, who had promised to feed him and clean up after him if we would get them a dog. So how did that work out? Mama (ME this time) took care of him ... all the feeding and cleaning up poop chores.

There have been other dogs, but it was always the same thing ... big promises to take care of them, that didn't last nearly as long as the dog did! Mama to the rescue, as usual.

I can't say that I, as a child, or our own children, either, ever learned responsibility from owning a dog. But I can say that we learned what it was like to be loved unconditionally, with no expectations, disappointed looks, or judgemental comments.

Sure, parents love us, but sadly, not always unconditionally.

It seems only our animal babies can fulfill that role, and I personally think dogs are especially good at it.

nostalgia, childhood memories, childhood pets, learning responsibility