The Spoiling of a Dog

From the get go Bella was to be an outside dog, and so she has been for many years, with the exception of super cold nights.  She didn't really care to be inside when she WAS in here, she just sort of cringed around at the inside sounds of furnace or vacuum cleaner and huddled in the bathroom.  

But now, after being inside more often over the past few years due to inclement weather, she is becoming accustomed to it, and prefers it really.  

And who can resist this face?


 

This cat tolerates her to a certain degree, so I am not constantly on edge should they meet face to face.  Matilda, our previous cat, would have nothing to do with her and would fly into a panic at the sight of her.  So Bella stays inside more often now, because I am not as worried about pet drama.  And occasionally she might have learned that if she's cute enough, or persistent is perhaps a better word, she could get a treat.


And so she pokes her nose where she ought not be poking it; namely under my elbow when I am at the table. This is only after breakfast though, when I am sitting here at the laptop.  No one else is in here, so I am sitting here eating breakfast and blogging or writing or whatever, so I can treat her if I want!  During more formal family meals, or when Gary is eating, she goes outside, or to the back room.  Gary does not suffer a dog nose under HIS elbow.  Haha!

I get razzed on occasion because I am the one who didn't want a dog in the first place, and now here I am the one who spoils  her the worst.  But she is 10 now, her birthday was January 13th.  It appears she is getting cataracts in her eyes, and she takes a bit longer to get up from lying down.  She is older and needs a bit of spoiling.  It doesn't hurt to let her enjoy the small luxuries in life; being with family and a treat  now and then.

As I age those seem to be two of the things I value more; family and treats.  Treats not necessarily being food always, but the small things in life that I enjoy; a good book, a fuzzy cat to pet, a long walk in nice weather, a cup of coffee with a neighbor...you get the idea.  

I pray the good Lord spoils us all with family who loves us and treats that comfort us.

Comments

Donna. W said…
Cliff is the one in this house who loves to share his food with dogs (and now, a cat). He always says cats and dogs shouldn't be in a house with people, and yet he insists on feeding them. Methinks he doth protest too much.
January 23, 2024 at 7:50 AM
Calfkeeper said…
Yes, I concur with Cliff. Haha! I grew up with pets in the house, so it's not a foreign things to me. But I am still more conservative than what was allowed in the house when I was a kid.
January 24, 2024 at 6:18 AM
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