You learn where all the good places to access the river are.
You learn exactly how many toads there are per square foot in your yard. (You know this because your terrier knows it, and it bothers him.)
You learn you have neighbours named Nicole and Blaine and they live two houses down and one over, and if you ever need anything you can just go and ask. (You know this because your Newfie decided to leave the yard and go visitin' when you were inside.)
You learn how to judge people - and like or dislike them instantly - by their reaction to see you walking towards them with two dogs who are happy to see anybody. Do their eyes light up? Do they pretend that you don't exist? Or, the worst, do they get a look on their face like they just bit into a lemon and slide over as far as possible? Those people are clearly NOT the kind you want in your life, so it saves a lot of time getting to know them.
You learn to keep the house clean, even during construction, because apparently drywall and insulation are far preferable to whatever chew toys you have invested in.
You learn that whatever chew toy you invest in it will never be as good as a stick.
You learn what it's like to have nightmares about finding one of them dead. You wake up and make sure they're okay, but secretly you know that day will eventually come no matter what you do.
You learn that the best way to get rid of a sore back or writer's block is to lay on the floor of your office and let your dogs lick your face until you can't breath.
You learn that lavishing affection on your cousin's seven week old St. Bernard puppy is tantamount to 'cheating' on your own dogs.
You learn how to restrain a terrier who despises having his nails clipped and not to touch a Newfie when he's truly tired, because honestly...he wants to be left alone.
You learn what -25 degrees feels like, because your dogs love the cold.
You learn that no matter what goes wrong or how bad the situation is, it is infinitely better with dogs around.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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