I say, get a dog.

Today is Jemima's birthday, she is one year old. We're on holiday so she'll be spending the day with Bobby. He walks her while we're at work and she billets with him when we're out of Town, or indeed out on the Town. She'll be having fun there with the other dogs, but of course we're sad not to be with her.

But one good thing about being apart from her is it gives us the space to reflect, to think about the difference she's made to our lives. Now sure, there have been some tedious bits. You know, the getting used to having to plan ahead, the cleaning up of her 'designated area' in the garden, and the occasional and inexplicable barking at strangers in the park. But it's far outweighed by the good stuff. Far, far outweighed. There's too much to really write down, but here's a start...

If you want something in the world that is always happy to see you, no matter how you've behaved, that greets you with a wag of the tail and an excited growl 'hello', get a dog.

If you want to see more of the day, the sun come up, the sun go down, the frost on the grass, and the rain fall from the clouds, get a dog.

If you want to really explore where you live, the paths, and the parks, the canals, and the marshes, get a dog.

If you want to excercise with abandon, without a watch, without a predetermined route, with nothing more than excited enthusiasm, get a dog.

If you want the occasional nod in the park from joggers, a passing 'how's it going' from other owners, or a minute or two chewing of the fat with just about anyone, get a dog.

If you want something that is so dependent on you that it makes you a more reliable person, so much more reliable that without you noticing that dependency changes to the deepest trust, get a dog.

And finally, if you want something to sit down excitedly when you tell it to, get a dog (and possibly some liver treats).

We see her again in a week, it's a good feeling.

Comments

[Ben]

I think I just might get a dog now Paul.

[Rob]

This is awesome, really, really awesome.

Happy birthday Jemima, thanks for showing Paul a new side of life which he can then reveal to us.

I feel a lot better for reading this and will now give my cat a stern talking to for only partly delivering on the good stuff.

[Colman]

Do it, Ben.

Rob, go easy on that cat - you're a tough brief.

[Rob]

You forgot to say how they also inspire you to write lovely stuff about them when you're away on holiday.

Then, you are in Portugal.

Still, it's bloody lovely.

[Colman]

Thanks, Rob.

Forgotten that I quite like blogging. Might have a crack at Portugal tomorrow, see if my blogging eye really is in.

[lauren]

huzzah!! yes - thanks to jemima and portugal for getting you back on the blogging track.

i now know exactly why i'm a cat, rather a dog person and it's something to do with this heart-wrenching bit of prose: "If you want something that is so dependent on you that it makes you a more reliable person, so much more reliable that without you noticing that dependency changes to the deepest trust, get a dog."

[Colman]

Thanks, Lauren, and hello.
It's nice to be back, nicer than I thought, although I'm not sure it has anything to do with Portugal, we'll find out tomorrow.

[Elmas]

You'll like this. "From puppy to adult". http://youtu.be/ld7F-MBNesE

[Colman]

Elmas, nice, very nice.
Wish I'd done that.

[marcus]

smashing.

[Colman]

Oh, there you are, hi, Marcus.

[marcus]

Morning, Paul.

[Ben]

I can't believe she's one already, I remember you talking about getting her! My vizsla Digby is a little over 18months now... and massive!

They change your life, most of it for the better. I still like the fact that Digby has to bring me something everytime I come home, a bone, a chew, a cushion, the TV remote.. what ever's close and not nailed down really...

Also as I know you are a man of style, perhaps Jemima would like one of these for her birthday- http://scrufts.co.uk. (i'm not on commission, but I am a fan!)

[Colman]

Ben, the time flies, it really does. The email you sent outlining your experiences really helped us, truly, so thanks again for that advice.
Although I do have to say that Jemima has never remained in her crate as late as you claim Digby does, but I'll let that one go.

[Ben]

haha, only last weekend i had to bribe him out of his crate with a treat at 10.30am. I am learning this is not normal, but I like it.

[Rob]

So even Jemima couldn't convince you to write more than one blog post a month.

Maybe I over-estimated her influence on you or maybe it's because she wants to always be the first thing you see when you come to this blog.

I like her even more now.

[Colman]

Rob, no one said it was going to be easy.

[northern]

Oh your back. Good show.

[Tmorgan Blog]

i love taking care of dogs.

[Rob]

You know I love this post more than I love kebab and chips ... but I do think it is time to write another one. Just saying ...

[elliptical reviews]

No offense, but if there's a facebook like button, it'll be much easier for me to share.

[Colman]

Share what, where?

[Painter In London]

They change your life, most of it for the better. I still like the fact that Digby has to bring me something everytime I come home, a bone, a chew, a cushion, the TV remote.. what ever's close and not nailed down really...