Life and dogs
Remember when life was simple? When you had no worries, or your biggest worry was what you were going to eat for lunch? Those were good times. Though if you decide not to listen to the news and not to speak to anyone, not to go the doctor, never to go on your phone and to keep your head in the sand, then it is possible for you to worry only about what you are eating for lunch.
Words to live by.
Whenever I have Strudel, I just marvel at the wonder of her. I have probably written this before, but what is amazing about grandchildren is that you forget that you ever had children of your own. Everything they do is amazing. Beyond amazing. Wait a second, I remember how amazing it was when Son #1 recognized his name on the car dealership sign before he was even 3 years old. My kids did amazing things too! And yet, every time Strudel does something, it is like no one in the entire universe has ever done anything like that before. Ever. In the history of the world.
Strudel has always loved dogs. “Doggie” might have been her first word. We have had playdates with some local favorites ever since before she could even walk. No fear. None. And total and complete adoration.
It is only ironic because Strudel’s father and Strudel’s great-grandmother are not fond of dogs at all. And Husband #1’s line is always, “When I die, you can get a dog.” Yup, sometimes it is tempting, but I would definitely get caught. So I live vicariously through Strudel and her playdates.
We have learned to ask the dog owners permission before approaching, and some have said no, but others have been more than accommodating. And now Strudel likes to know everyone’s last name, so not only do we ask strangers what their dog’s name is, but we need a surname as well.
In any event, last week Strudel was fortunate enough to have two doggie playdates; one in the morning with “Barry” (names are changed to protect the identities of the pets and their owners) and one after nap time with “Barbara.”
The morning playdate went very well. They played catch, had snacks, discussed the Mets’ playoff prospects. It was perfect.
Then Strudel gets up from her nap, gets dressed, and off to Barbara’s house we go. We get there, and Barbara’s mom is standing outside.
“I don’t know where Barbara is,” she informs us. Apparently, Barbara went for a walk with her “dad” and had yet to return.
After a short conversation, Strudel decided she wanted to go for a walk, and we would return to Barbara’s later. As we turn the corner, who do we see? Barbara! She was on her way home.
“Where she was?” Strudel asks with concern.
Turns out, Barbara was on a playdate with Barry.
“Hey, I had a playdate with Barry also!!” she excitedly shared with Barbara’s dad.
Strudel and I then walked Barbara and her dad back to her house, where we got to share the story with Barbara’s mom. This is really exciting stuff for a 3-year-old.
As we were talking, another dog and his family came walking by.
“What that dog’s name?” my adorable little sidekick asked. After finding out, this dog and Barbara started doing what dogs do best (we don’t need to go into specifics for the G rating of this column) and Strudel yells, “Hey! They are friends!”
Yes, little girl, they are friends. And when we got home, she told her parents that they were eating cookies off each other’s fur.
Yes, life through the eyes of a toddler. It brought me back to the first time my Oreos saw turtles “making friends” with each other at the zoo.
Yup, life seemed simple then.
As the Jewish new year rapidly approaches, may G-d grant us all good health, only celebrations, and the ability to worry only about what meal we are eating next.
Banji Ganchrow of Teaneck is looking forward to picking out a new fruit for husband #1…Who needs to spend $8 on an exotic fruit when you can just buy an orange and call it a day?
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