A Letter From Marli to Rory

Dear Rory,

I admit that at first my feelings for you vacillated between hatred and strong dislike. Can you blame me? For five wonderful years, it was just me and mom and dad. They were at my beck and call. If I wanted to be pet, they would pet me. If I couldn't decide if I wanted to be in or out, they patiently opened and closed the door until I made up my mind. If I wanted a piece of human food, I only had to stare longingly at their plates for the entire meal and they would give in every time. They adored me so much that they couldn't stand the thought of leaving me behind. They took me with them on every trip except for those dreadful three weeks that I had to spend with gammy when they went somewhere called "Your Rope". (Sounds lame if you ask me. I have plenty of rope that I would have shared with them if they had only asked.)

Which is why I was quite surprised to find myself alone in the house for almost three entire days at the beginning of November. Of course, they didn't completely desert me. That neighbor lady that's always over here came to let me out and make sure I had food and water, but it wasn't the same. I had no one to sleep on at night and no one to let me out at three in the morning when I felt like sniffing around outside. I couldn't even beg for casually request the last bite of egg in the morning. It was rough.

And then, late in the afternoon of the third day, I heard it. The sound I had been waiting for. The sound of the garage door opening. I rushed to the back door trying to decide if I should act excited to see them or aloof until they apologized for leaving me behind. I had decided on aloof when I noticed that daddy was carrying something I didn't recognize. I was used to them bringing strange things into the house, but this thing was different. It moved and made wretched noises. It was alive. It was you.

On your first day home, mom and dad carefully brought you over to me, and I sniffed you politely because I felt that's what was expected of me, but I didn't really see what the big deal was. Honestly, I wasn't too concerned because I didn't think you'd be staying long. Unfortunately, I was very, very wrong.

In the beginning, it seemed like all you did was sleep, eat, and make this awful howling noise. And that wasn't even the worst part. Mom and dad were so preoccupied with you, they completely forgot about me. Hours would go by before they noticed that I didn't have water, and my snuggle sessions with mom on the couch were cut short by your constant feedings and diaper changes. (Seriously, I know dogs much smaller than you who don't need to relieve themselves as often.)  My food bowl even came dangerously close to being empty. Twice.

The nights were even worse. Every few hours you would interrupt my sleep. As soon as you made a peep, mom would jump out of bed, push me aside, and bring you into our bed to feed you. Our bed is crowded enough as it is. There wasn't room for one more. This went on for months. I felt like a zombie. I went from sleeping 20 hours a day to a mere 18. I don't wish sleep-deprivation on my worst enemy.

Needless to say, I wanted nothing to do with you. My whole world had been turned upside down, and you were to blame. For weeks I pouted. I slept downstairs. I hid under blankets. I even refused to play on the rare occasions that dad did throw a toy for me. Unfortunately for me, this tactic failed miserably. Mom and dad were so busy with you that they didn't even notice the fact that I was denying them my affections.

Seriously? I know poodles with better hair. 

But about 3 months after you came home from the pound, I noticed that you were growing and changing. You started smiling and laughing and going longer between feedings. Your howl was much less pathetic and you started sleeping in your own room. I noticed that the bigger you got, the more mom and dad paid attention to me again. They remembered to let me out, my food and water bowl were always full, and dad played with me everyday after work. So, I started to hate you a little less. I realized you were pretty cute when you wanted to be, and I felt proud that sometimes I was the only one that could make you laugh.

You've been around for almost 5 months now, and I've gotten used to the fact that I am no longer the only child. I think the best part about having you around is that whenever mom and dad take you on walks, I get to go, too! I definitely don't love you as much as mom and dad do, but I hear you'll be eating solids soon, and your lack of hand-eye coordination means more food for me, so there's hope yet. As long as you remember to stay out of my bed, I think we'll be just fine.

Love,
Marli