2006.08.16

My life has been flipped upside down for the past 2 weeks. On Saturday August 5th, my wife gave birth to twin girls. One baby girl was sick. She was sent to the neonatal intensive care unit. My wife stayed at the hospital with both of the girls. I spent most of my waking hours at the hospital with my family. I had to return home late each evening to take care of our 3 dogs.

Allow me to recount the events of this past weekend...

My in-laws cared for the dogs while I spent my weekend at the hospital. It is also worth noting, we have an invisible fence. The dogs can freely run and play on 3 acres all day long.

I arrived at home late Sunday evening. I was exhausted. I had not set foot in the house since Friday morning at 7:00 AM.

Sunday evening at 11:00 PM, I went to bed. At 11:30 PM, I heard a crunching sound. I went to investigate. Dusty (one of our three dogs) was eating an orange marker. I grumpily snatched... calmly and politely took the marker from Dusty. I patted Dusty on the head. I cheerfully returned to bed.

At midnight, I again heard an odd crunching sound. I climbed out of bed and lumbered to the living room. There, I discovered Dusty eating a digital thermometer. I grabbed him by the... chuckled in an amused fashion while cleaning up itty-bitty pieces of plastic. I rubbed Dusty's belly. I closed the bathroom door to disallow any further medicinal decadence. I merrily returned to bed.

At 12:30 AM, I was awakened to the sound of shredding. I climbed out of bed and skipped to the living room. There, I discovered Dusty ripping through a dozen or so of Mini-Omega's football cards. I delivered a solid... laughed a hearty laugh as I picked up the shredded football cards. I gave Dusty a big hug. I bemusedly returned to bed.

At 1:00 AM, I was awakened by a loud thud. I climbed out of bed and pranced to the living room. There, I discovered Dusty had pulled down a stuffed animal from Mini-Mattis's dresser. Dusty was attempting to devour the creature. I with furious anger... laughed so hard that I cried. I picked up the stuffed animal and returned it to my son's room. I closed my son's bedroom door. Thus, no more toys could entice the fun loving pup. I rubbed Dusty's belly before tossing... directing him outside. I joyously returned to bed.

At 3:00 AM, I leapt out of bed and pranced to the door as Dusty scratched, yelped, cried loud enough... quietly and patiently waited at the door for me to let him back in the house. Dusty quickly lay down and went to sleep.

At 6:00 AM, my alarm clock sounded. I bounded from bed ready to embrace another exciting week.

Dusty is a delightful dog. He really is wonderful. You can't put a price on love. Dusty proved this in July, when he knocked over a trashcan and ate a box of firecrackers and sparklers. I was down right jubilant when I wrote out the $1,000 check to cover his vet bill.

Pets really do bring so much joy and happiness to a household. I can't imagine how some people live without pets.

peta people for the ethical treatment of animals weim dog trouble-maker peta people for the ethical treatment of animals weim dog trouble-maker peta people for the ethical treatment of animals weim dog trouble-maker