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Today is National Pet Day and tomorrow is Pruitt's birthday, so a dog feature seemed the obvious choice. Also, it's a good distraction from the snowstorm outside. (While it's not as bad as blizzard Evelyn last April, I would still rather just ignore it!)
Writing this post gave me some valuable time to reflect on everything that Pruitt means to our family. He is a faithful friend, hiking buddy, home security system, chief of garden pest control, foot warmer, shoulder to cry on, and a constant source of entertainment. We adopted Pruitt when he was 3 months old from a no-kill shelter. He was such an adorable hound puppy. With a fur coat just one size too big for his body, he had the most endearing little wrinkles in his forehead, imparting a look of perpetual worry. Pruitt has grown up to be tall, dark, and handsome, with a dash of character from his floppy ears that never sit just right.
He brings a great deal of laughter (and a little bit of grief, of course, but not too much.) Here are just a few of the things about him that are so comical:
He develops obsessions. At the moment, it's ice chunks, so he spends the majority of his time outside eating ice. Other obsessions include chipmunks and one particular tennis ball of about seven tennis balls in his toy box. If you throw all of the tennis balls on the floor, he will test each of them carefully to see if it's the "right" one.
Pruitt loves it when I play piano. Sometimes he'll lie down and rest his head against the piano leg. We joke that he gets a buzz from my playing. :)
In the summer months when we sit on the porch, he regally surveys the neighborhood until he gets too tired. (Typical hound dog.) Eventually, he starts to church nod and his eyelids begin to droop shut. Must guard the house.. Must.. stay.. awake.. zzz..
When I'm baking and drop ingredients on the floor, I need only say "Big dog" and he's right there to clean it up.
Pets can add so much to our lives - joy, comfort, purpose, protection. They can be a significant benefit to us, and we have to be just as much to them. We are wholly responsible for their well-being. If you are considering adopting a pet, please make sure you have the time and space in your life that a pet deserves.
Be sure to check out my other dog post "Lady's Best Friend" where I discuss some of the greatest benefits of owning a dog (or other pet). Read the article here.
'Til next time,
Eva
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