SIDEKICK
And combating loneliness...
What a great feeling!
There was never a worry or a doubt about who would go with me to the movies or to the theme park or would drive around with the yard sale section of the newspaper to hunt for bargains. For years, Friday night was movie night and weekends and summer breaks were filled with outings. And then the kids moved out and that feeling was gone.
For the first few years, I tried to force my husband into the hole that the kids had left. My first mistake was assuming he wanted to do the same things with me. As it turns out, he doesn’t like movies or theme parks and would rather have the stomach flu than go to a yard sale.
My second mistake was trying to force him to make plans. Picture me with a large spiral-bound, color-coded planner sitting down at the kitchen table presenting options. Very quickly into the conversation, his eyes would glaze over and I knew I’d lost him. The upside was that he would agree to almost anything at that moment. The downside was that when the day arrived to do the thing, he acted like he had no recollection at all of our plans.
After several years of continuing that insanity, I learned to call a friend who I knew would enjoy the latest movie or bargain hunting at the antique shop. It took me a while, but I learned that it’s pretty important that the person you’re doing things with actually wants to do them!
I tell you this tale to give you some background on my current dilemma. I’m worried about our dog Panzer. He’s at home alone all day while my husband and I are at work. I think he might be getting depressed. Some days, when I walk through the door at the end of the day he doesn’t even get up to greet me. But if a friend comes over … he goes nuts! He demands their attention by jumping around and bumping into their legs and refusing to let them pass without them giving him a pat or a belly rub.
This can only be proof of my suspicion that Panzer is bored and lonely. I know how that feels, and I don’t want him to suffer any longer. He can’t fix this on his own. He’s counting on me!
Panzer obviously needs a friend. And I know this is a crucial decision. Bringing the wrong dog into his space could make things worse. So I whip out my planner and plot a four-square SWOT analysis—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats—of the qualities and potential friends for our Rottweiler. Maybe this one?
The dog can’t be too big … or too small. Or too young. I don’t want to go through potty training again. Or too old. It must want to play, and play a lot … but not destroy the house. It would also be great if it didn’t shed too much. Our house has hardwood floors and I don’t want the place to look like wall-to-wall carpeting!
I am determined to find Panzer the perfect sidekick.
Coming soon…My new book! A compilation of over 100 stories.
