Those who think I should have a toddler at this stage in my life should know that I have a 5-year-old Golden retriever. He’s currently nestled into his fort – the rectangular space beneath my desk (a black, fold-out table from Wal-Mart). He’s sleeping on the hand-sewn blanket Grandma made him, which is in fact too small for his 100-pound body. The blanket is blue and green mostly and covered in several dinosaurs with an accompanying word for each: Rawr, Stomp, Chomp.

Naptime this afternoon wasn’t easy to come by. I surprised Billy this Friday and took a half-day at work. We ventured to the local Botanical Gardens despite the drizzle. The main reason for the adventure: he walks SO much better if we go someplace as opposed to walking in the neighborhood. He’s got me trained. None of his friends, human or canine, were there. It was an introvert’s dream. We hiked the slick moss-covered trails as well as the wet boarded ones, the concrete ones, and the damp forest ones, among the blooming camellias, daffodils, and paper bushes. I asked Billy if he could smell the paper bushes, which I knew he could. We took our time at the edges of Lake Whitehurst. I pointed out the loblolly pines and double-breast cormorants. The water makes the pup come alive, so I threw his tennis ball several times for him to retrieve it, despite the fact that it’s February. Today was actually in the 50s. His coat was already wet from the rain. I let him run off leash a little, as there were no other visitors. The pup listens well, he came when I called him to come back to me. We clocked about 3.5 miles.

Bath time at home: the area was warm thanks to central heating in the small space. Billy knows what to do. After some encouragement, he put one paw up and then into the tub, the others followed. No shampoo today as I don’t want his coat to dry out. I just used the big blue bowl to run fresh, warm water through his coat. All the dirt and grit from the lake (and from day care on Tuesday) washed away. I dried him some before he jumped out of the tub. Upon getting out of the tub, he thinks he’s a Spanish bull. Grabbing wet towels in your mouth is fun!

And finally, dinner. Blue Buffalo beef stew pate’ – heated in the microwave for about 30 seconds – and some Blue Buffalo mixed kibble with one glucosamine tablet. Dessert: a tri-flavored shish kabob. He won’t let me forget it. His pouting is wide eyes and stomping paws in front of his bed.

Tonight I’ll need to clean his ears and brush his fur. Treats to follow, of course. He’ll finish the day nestled between Mama and Daddy, his bed in the living room empty except for every dog toy possibly ever made. ~