As some of you know, our dog Billy is on his last legs and has been for a couple of years 😀. He seems to just plod along and so, it seems, we have been gifted more time with ‘the old boy’. We had discussed whether we would get another dog after he has gone and it was a resounding “No”. Only because of the commitment a dog brings to a household, and our kids are doing their own thing so we can’t rely on them to be around all of the time.
So, about 4 weeks ago my son and his girlfriend looked after someone else’s puppy for a couple of nights and it was fun. It brought new energy to the home and it was nice to see Billy being ok with another dog in his space. Suddenly, I got asked a question and my son and his girlfriend had decided they wanted to buy a dog. The thing is, they live with us!
We talked about, and agreed, rules and responsibilities and then Reggie was brought home! We didn’t have any concerns regarding Billy, as he has been good with other dogs before and is fine sharing. The difference it has made having a young dog around is crazy. Billy seems to have a spring in his step and runs (hobbles) around playing with Reggie. He sleeps well at night as he is always worn out, but, it has done him the world of good!
There are the normal issues around having a new pup, such as training and educating Reggie, and his owners, but it seems to be going well, so far. Remembering to shut bedroom and toilet doors to prevent clothes and toilet rolls from being chewed, has been a challenge as this is a busy house. Someone always forgets a door and the discovery of something having been ‘Reggied’ is not always funny, especially if it’s mine!
I can imagine, that when Jack and Maddie move into their own home (If they ever do) and take Reggie with them, it will leave a gap. I am sure we will take a break from being pet owners, for a while, but then I am certain we will be back in the market for another dog. At the moment though, it’s like being Grandparents. We play with Reggie and spoil him, but he goes back to Jack when we’ve had enough – a perfect situation.
My Mum loved Billy and wanted a dog of her own, but she couldn’t look after it full time. I wish we had got her a ‘Reggie’ and dropped it around some days for her to sit with and focus on. I am sure she’d have loved that and it would have injected a sense of purpose for her, and some fun.
So, if you are in need of some energising then think about opening up the possibility of brining something new into your life. It could be a pet or a hobby, something to give you a new focus or motivation. If you are bored with the same routine, then challenge yourself to do something different, a new experience or an event to aim towards.
It’s never too late…