Not what we signed up for….
August 31, 2009 by Colin
Filed under Helping others, Leisure
By Kristi Stephenson
In these modern times, it’s hard to escape contracts. There’s a written agreement for just about everything. Many of you reading this work in the business world with contracts which outline what should or should not occur in specific situations. If there is a disagreement as to the product or service that is delivered, parties can return to the contract and argue it’s points. But what about those situations that come up where there is no contract? When you think “is this what we signed up for“?
My boyfriend Jeff and I got a dog last year. We had just moved in together and were going to wait, but didn‘t heed our own advice. We considered adopting a rescue dog or one from the humane society, but were afraid that there would be too many difficulties. Jeff had always loved bulldogs so we went to visit a breeder to just have a look, of course shortly after we had chosen a girl puppy and named her Louie. We fell in love with her fat face immediately and she became part of our new little family. The book said “bulldogs are low-maintenance, are good with children, and aren’t known as barkers”. ANYWAYS… Fast forward to real life and the rude awakening that Louie is the complete opposite. She wants to live outside. We walk her 4 times a day and it’s not enough. When she gets an opportunity to run, she looks like a rabbit she’s so fast. And she won’t stop. She also hates kids. She barks at them for no other reason than they are under 4 feet tall and God forbid if they make any child-like movements such as jumping or dancing. Then she becomes Cujo. Same thing when she doesn’t like a certain dog in the park. Louie barks… Pretty much all the time. She even barks in her sleep. Sometimes she barks to let us know she’s in the same room. Just in case we didn’t notice her lumbering body or her gaseous odors which have the power to wake you out of a deep sleep when she lets them go.
We saw a door mat at a pet store that said “Our vet drives a Porsche, ask dog for details”. We would’ve loved to purchase the mat, but we had no money left over after covering Louie’s vet bills. We have spent so much time, effort and money to work her into a well-behaved dog. Needless to say, we had no idea what we were getting into when we adopted our little fatso. She has taught us some valuable lessons though and she makes us think about the bigger picture. Relationships with partners, children, and friends start out with expectations of fun and happiness. When heavy issues come to the forefront, throwing in the towel seems like the easy way out. There is no contract to fall back on or get out of. In the end, those who roll with the punches and find ways to work through the hard times, reap different rewards.
As I write this, our dog is away for the weekend. There is no one here to warn me that there are people waiting for an elevator, or that it’s raining. When I walked in the door after being gone for 20 minutes, I wasn’t greeted like I had been away for a year. I had no reason to go for a stroll through the park looking for sticks. I miss my little fatso. We didn’t get what we signed up for, sometimes I know we got a lot more…
Krista, you make some great points. I thought you were totally going down a different path with this. Like I’m sure all other readers would agree, I thought you were going to say how this boyfriend (let’s continue to call him “Jeff”) was not at all what you signed up for and that you were ready to cancel your “contract”. Who could blame you?!…but that’s not why I’m leaving this comment…
I’m not a dog owner but I completely agree with you. We constantly get into situations that were not exactly what we thought we were signing up for. Life throws a lot of curve balls, both good and bad, but without those curve balls life would be boring.
I laughed so hard at your post! you’re a great writer and Louie is a spunky little bitch! I love her already and I don’t even know her. It seems she just has a personality that cannot go unnoticed and you are blessed to have recognized that and loved her still for it. Loved your story and you are so right: gotta roll with the punches and have some humor about it. Thanks!
Hey Guys, Louie here. I’m dictating this note to a friend of mine (Sparkles – who is a Guide Dog, unfortunately my paws are too meaty to properly work a keyboard).
I wanted to provide my side of the story after my mom Krista was nice enough to share her experiences with you. Don’t get me wrong, I really like owning Krista as a human – she bathes me, feeds me yogurt in the mornings and pretty much buys me every toy I could possibly want. Sure, she sometimes goes to “work” when I’d like a belly rub and occasionally cuts our walks down to a scant 55 minutes but no complaints here.
BUT I feel I should clarify a few things. First of all, the barking. I’m a dog – get over it. I’ve tried communicating with looks and subtle gestures but Jeff and Krista apparently are too dense to pick up on them. So I bark when I’m hungry, I bark when I want to go out, I bark when I’m on the patio to let the other dogs in the neighborhood know who’s in charge and yes, sometimes I bark for no reason at all. Tough. Have you seen me? I’m adorable. Small price to pay if you ask me.
Secondly, the kids. Guilty as charged. I don’t trust them. Jeff and Krista are over 6 feet tall and that’s what I’m used to. These little munchkins are way too close to the ground for my liking. Who knows what they’re capable of – a buddy of mine in the dog park told me about her human’s little kid who pokes her eyes, grabs her tail and rides her like a pony. No thanks. A simple bark to let them know that I’m off limits does the trick. I know it upsets Krista but it’s not her eyes these little ankle-biters would be poking.
Thirdly, I want to explain a little bit about bulldogs. We’re an expensive and elitist breed – we expect the best from our humans and will settle for nothing less. While Jeff and Krista aren’t fully trained yet they’re coming along. I try to reward them by being extra cute when I take them for walks so people will compliment me, I let them rub my belly when they’ve been good, I sleep 20 hours a day when they’re not around so they don’t miss any of my adorable antics, and I greet them fondly when they come home on time (I still reserve the right to ignore them if they’re out past 11). It’s not easy raising humans to be responsible pets but I see potential in them.
And finally….regarding the gas. I’m a lady and I refuse to dignify that with a response.
You’re all welcome to come by my place for a belly rub. Bring treats.
Hilarious! I have a dog and completely understand. Lucky for me Declan does not mind (or should I say react) to my 18 month old daughter. I think he fears that the walks or belly scratching might stop if he reacted to her in anyway. That could be a bit of an issue. Thanks for the laugh.
Hey Krista & Louie
My name is Ceilidh (kay-lee) and my b…….Sheila is typing this for me
our “moms” work together and share the joys of “living to serve us”
I was to be that great little therapy dog that could transition & go to work with her in a Nursing home but I am a Shihtzu with a Celtic temper, hate children too & share many of Lou’s “finer attributes”
Loved reading your article , Keep up the great work
we need to meet at a doggie picnic soon
could’t submit a pic as I need to get my hair done first!