Teen Years

Today, I turn 13.  Today I am a teenager or a very old man, depending upon how you do the math.

As I reflect back on my 13 years with Mommy, and the people and dogs she keeps bringing into my life, I can’t help but provide a few thoughts.

The day I was adopted at a Petsmart adoption event was actually one of the best days of my life.  I saw Mommy, put on my best puppy face, and thought “now there is a girl I can manipulate” and I’ve been doing it ever since.

She cuddles me, she loves on me, she lets me sleep in her bed.  The first few nights that I was living with her, I barked in my kennel.  Mommy couldn’t take it, I ended up sleeping next to her and I’ve been there ever since.

We decided early on to stick together, and it’s been that way for 13 years.  Some happy days, some sad days.  I’ll focus on the happy ones, cause, well, it’s my day.

Mommy knows how to find the condos all over that take dogs.  As such, I am well-traveled.  You could say I am a sophisticated dog.  I’ve been to beaches, mountains, many friends’ homes, and I’ve rocked them all.  I have loved barking at sea gulls at the beach (remember that, Aunt Caitlin and Uncle Mike?), I have escaped many a kennel (right, Michelle?) and I’ve run neighborhoods far and wide (so many neighbors to mention…Molly, Maureen, Jeff, you know who you are).   I have run wild at Grandpa Bob’s house, and met a horse…and swam in ponds.  I have been dirty, muddy, and yelled at.

Mommy found me a sister in Bella.  I was not sure about her at first, but she quickly became my best friend.  I often stole her bed and made her sleep on the floor.  She was devoted, much like Mommy.  With Bella, came Bob-now Daddy.  Daddy and I have a complicated relationship because of his desire to discipline me but he loves Mommy, and therefore, I can share the bed with him.

And now we have kids.  I have 2.  Isaiah and Ciera.  It’s my job to protect them and it’s not a simple task but one that I have mastered.  I was very unsure about the situation, but soon realized that this means more places to cuddle.  And so, I am pleased, even though their volume is so wrong.  But they leave food everywhere, and so, I feast.

And Felicity.  She’s not smart, but that means I win at tag and chase.  Enough said.  And she lets me cuddle.

Many would say I am poorly behaved.  Some would say I am stubborn.  Others would say I am a troublemaker.  Call me what you want.  I am Ben the Dog, and I will rock you.

I am 13 but I am spry.  I plan on defending the house in Chapel Cove for years to come.  I plan to cuddle with the kids until they are out of school (who knows when that will be, let’s get real….), and Daddy-too bad.  I loved Mommy first.  I get to sleep beside her forever. 

So today, I plan to bark at whoever I want.  I will eat Ciera’s hot dog right off the counter with no shame.  I will pee right on the freshly cut grass.  I will mess up Felicity’s bed.  I will insist on riding in the car, perhaps even drive it.

I am Ben the Dog.  I am 13.  I am still absolutely awesome.

Peace.