Must Love Dogs

My old readers know that my dog, Kedar, has a spidey sense about folks.

He’s done everything from taking an undesirable’s shoes and keys in his mouth and placing them by the door – to barking, sniffing and scratching to alert me that the same undesirable had temporarily hidden a firearm on my patio.

When my niece came to live with me, my normally frisky, ADHD pup took one look at all of her garbage bags and the sad look in her eye and immediately walked up to her and nuzzled her hand. He knows that my best friend, Slumdawg, is terrified of him so when she comes to visit – he crouches and tiptoes. He feeds off of energy and acts accordingly – so I watch him carefully to gauge his reaction to new people.

I decided a few months ago that I would never date a man that was ambivalent about Kedar. I’ve dated guys that didn’t necessarily care for dogs. Or there were guys that neither loved or hated dogs, they merely tolerated them. Some have attempted to co-exist w/ Kedar, but only for my benefit.

But now, I realize that by merely TOLERATING my Kadeezy, it’s almost like they are merely tolerating a major part of who I am. Once I made that decision, it seemed as though the universe put guys in my path that actually ask about him as if he is a member of their family. During the last few months, I’ve only encountered guys that fuss about why I don’t bring him leftovers from the restaurant or sneak him the leftovers upon our return. Watching people embrace the totality of my family made me vividly aware that when I chose to become involved with men who didn’t make small gestures like that in my past, I was ‘shrinking to fit’.

It’s funny how once you put out what you want into the universe, how quickly it’s returned. I’m smiling as I watch my lil’ man have his first real man-crush in as long as I can remember. He’s wagging his entire body, tilting his head back staring lovingly at eyes that look back at him with mutual adoration, rolling over on his back waiting to be touched, moving his body closer for a closer snuggle, giving and receiving kisses, listening to mushy declarations of how good he is. I watch, smile and him have at it. I understand Kedar completely, because like I said – he feeds off of energy…and well, looking at him is almost like looking at myself. *blush*