Certain things are usually a given. They happen without any thought and yet they always turn out the same.
Like which pearl earring I put on first. I laugh every morning when I put them on, because no matter how many times I put them on (and no matter how I lay them down on my nightstand), I always grab the same one and put it into my left ear…the one with the different backing because I lost the original. I know this because it hasn’t stood up as well to water and the backing is a different color than the other earring’s backing. And I know you’re not supposed to shower with pearl earrings, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way.
Or, how I always put on my left pant leg first, but always put on my right sock + shoe first. Or, how Daisy will cuddle up to me when I have coffee to smell it (and hope I leave it unattended so she can have some). Girl is addicted to coffee.
Those things are always a given.
However, yesterday the unexpected happened.
My heart was broken by this little brown turd dog here:
This little chocolate Chip was my first dog. Ever. The dog my parents would never let me have until I lived on my own (which wasn’t until I got married at the ripe age of 25). The dog that I nagged asked my newlywed husband for 8 months straight until he broke down agreed we could have a dog. My $50 Craigslist puppy from a family that took in his parents whose owners couldn’t keep after a foreclosure, added them to their pack of four dogs, only to have his momma have 6 puppies a month later, which meant said family unexpectedly had 12 dogs and had to down-size. (I know that’s the longest run-on sentence in history but I’m justifying it because it’s my blog).
This little long-awaited momma’s boy of a dog betrayed me yesterday.
We went out with friends on Saturday, and so that I wouldn’t worry the entire time about them being alone for 7-8 hours and having to “hold it,” I left Chip and Daisy with our neighbor whom they love. I could enjoy our time out, and in turn, B could enjoy our time because his neurotic wife wasn’t worried about her precious angels.
Since our neighbor goes to bed early, Chip and Daisy slept at her house. When it came time for them to come home in the morning, they came galloping at full speed (as usual). The kind of speed where I worry if Chip’s 16 pound frame will knock me over if he doesn’t slow down in time. There was the usual greeting of sloppy puppy kisses and jumping and whining. A canine celebration, if you will.
But what happened afterwards was unexpected.
Instead of him following Daisy and I into the house, Chip stayed outside. I watched him sniff around and inch closer and closer to our neighbor’s house, just thinking he had to go #2 or something (the dog takes forEVER and walks a mile looking for the perfect spot). When it was clear I had to go get him, being the person that NEVER walks outside barefoot, went back in to get my flip flops. When I walked back outside, I saw Chip happily trot across the street and proceed to go into my neighbors garage.
Anger. Shock. Hurt. Betrayed. I felt all of those things at once.
How could the dog I waited for all my life just choose someone he’s known for 2 years over me? I know he’s just an animal and can’t reason like this, but that’s what I felt and that’s what I thought. My neighbor brought him back, on his leash this time, and he knew I was mad. He kept hiding behind my neighbor’s legs. If I moved left, he moved right.
I spent the better part of yesterday sulking around, still bitter at the whole thing. And then I thought, is this just s preview of what’s to come when we have kids? When they prefer their father over me? Or worse yet, they show their defiance and tell me they wish so-and-so were their mother instead?
All you mothers out there, I take my hat off to you.
Janna says
I bet all the moms reading can relate!! I feel jealousy, but it’s mainly because Weiser will always love Will more!
Lisette says
:( the dogs love me more than my husband. It makes me feel good but now I know how he feels!
Lindsay @ The Newlywed Notebook says
I HATE when my puppy does stuff like that! I try to get her to cuddle up with me and do everything in my power to get her comfortable, and as soon as I stop petting her she gets up and goes to lay on my husband’s lap as he watches TV and completely ignores her….ahole…
Lisette says
Hahahah. I know I shouldn’t laugh but that’s funny. It’s weird how they pick their pack leader. My husband asked me the other day, “so if you’re the alpha, does that just make me a regular pack member?” Haha.
Suzanne says
OMG I feel your pain. I would be devastated if my Tony Bonz (adopted when really sick, nursed back to health pit bull) acted so shamefully.mi get annoyed if he goes to my husband first. But…maybe he got confused, maybe they bribed him with more coffee, different coffee, coffee ice cream. Maybe they’re witches and put a spell on him etc. anyway he’s back home but keep an eye on your neighbors ? Lol
Lisa @ Sorority Life to Army Wife says
I’ve just accepted that our cat loves my husband more. He calls me on Skype, and she starts purring when she hears his voice. For the record, he only turns his camera on (his internet is really slow when it’s on) if the cat is around so she can see him. I get nothing.
Lisette says
How rude! I’m normally the one they both flock to, so it was a surprise when Chip went back to my neighbor’s house.
Your husband and your cat are too funny!
Jen says
My pup Abby is 12 years old, and it was just the two of us for a very long period of time. When I moved in with Rick I felt a little betrayed when she would cuddle up to him instead of me. We think that because he is kinda the pack leader among our pups, and Abby obviously thought she was in charge of me, that since she is a very dominate dog she is just sucking up to him. He will yell at her for doing something wrong, and then shortly after she is trying to cuddle on him…so crazy! Oh to understand dog psychology.
Megan says
Our parents sound like they could be best friends. I did powerpoint presentations on why I should have one as a child and even did a public speaking contest and was featured in the paper about it and my Dad still wouldn’t budge. I got my pup when I moved out of the dorms and had him while I was in college.
I can imagine the pain of having him run to someone else. Marley gets like that when he stays with my Mom for an extended period of time. I no longer matter and what I say goes in one ear and out the other. Its tough!!
And amen. No kids for a while because that would KILL ME.
jackie says
aw my dogs have done this too! when we went on vacation in the fall, they stayed with jarrod’s parents. then jarrod had to go on a work trip, so i went to pick up the dogs. after not seeing them for nearly a week i thought they’d be so excited to see me. nope, they just napped the whole car ride home. jerks.
Lisette says
Haha. Sometimes they can be jerks. Whenever Chip and Daisy are at my neighbor’s, they come home exhausted! Just take it that they’re getting exercise and they’re relieved their home with their momma :)
Jackie says
My heart would be so sad too. My dog is super attached to me and I don’t know what I’d do if he suddenly preferred someone else. At least you know he’ll be ok if you ever need to leave him at the neighbor’s again.
Lisette says
Oh definitely! He pulls me to her house every day at the end of the walk. It’s cute most days, but not when I have tons of things to do at home. It amazes me how strong this little 16-lb dog is!
Kenzie ♥ says
Oh that’s tough. I feel that way whenever it seems like my dogs, horse, or child takes to someone else better than me. It’s frustrating!
Lisette says
Kenzie if I feel this way with my dog, I can’t even imagine what this feels like for you and your child!
Kenzie ♥ says
Oh it’s difficult! But you have to remember that no matter what you will always be their (fur) momma :D
chelsea beeswax says
i feel the exact same way when my dog chooses daddy over mommy – judging by the comments, this must be a totally normal and completely rational feeling! right!? ;)
Lisette says
Haha, totally rational!
Jo-Anne says
I can so relate to this
Joann says
I love my furball pup beyond belief and he has acted like that on multiple occasions. It breaks my heart, but he knows he can easily fix it by laying on my lap and giving me that puppy look. Melts me every time.
Brendali Caban says
I am laughing because I know how Chip is and how you fought for Chip! Sorry hun, he is after all a boy dog. lol no loyalty these men lol!
Maggie says
Haha aw that’s heartbreaking. A little teensy bit funny, though, sorry ;)