My Dog is a Cat

                                                                      

My dog is a cat and that's that! I had this realization early. He must have learned his behavior from his sister. I loved her. I had no choice. We have to take all our children as they come. She could be cold and calculating. She didn't want much to do with me. I was only welcomed in her wake-up minutes when a nice ear rub gets the day started off right. Don't try such tenderness later in the day. She's not having it. Guess I'm particular on when I want my ears rubbed too.

She would lay on the couch. I would arrive offering my companionship. She wanted none of it. None of me. I paid good money to get a dog. I got a cat instead. Sometimes we don't get what we expect...hope for...pay for. As I approached, she would promptly sliver to the other end of the couch with distain and a huff or two.

That was my Molly. She was a she and she acted like a she. She was fully control-seeking and exhibited random moodiness. Not just at that time of the month. She merely tolerated her brother even when they were way more similar than she realized. They both became more and more cat-like as days went by.

Murphy is our male child. He tends to embrace the typical male stereotype - full energy, playful, a bit needy. He had a stuffed toy girlfriend he loved-on way too much and way too often. "PDA all the way," he would say! Whenever we were conversing on the speakerphone with family or having a group of friends into our home, he would promptly and proudly go get his friend to share the evening. He wanted his fake mate to be invited to the gathering too. He had his way with her in the middle of our floor in the middle of our company. Boys will be boys! 

Our Murph also prefers his ears rubbed on his own time frame. Couch cuddling is never allowed. Only granted access to the furthest cushion. Believe me, I've tried to manhandle him to force him to take a nap with me. Nope. No to fulfilling his doggy duties. Yes, to acting aloof like a cat.

I've told him more than once, he's not worth the outlay of big bucks we paid. He doesn't listen. Guess it doesn't help that he's gone deaf. I tell him anyway. We paid for a dog. He seems unaware that his breed was chosen by English royalty for its beauty and for being great lap dogs. Thankfully he's got the first part under wraps. His redeeming quality is his highness' cuteness but Murphy has never felt a lap! He might end up liking it if he had. He's not trying very hard nor living up to his part of our prior agreement.

It's only right to point out the positive as well as the negative...Cat-like living can also provide the positive potential of 9 lives to our dog. Murphy is currently on his 3rd life. He's been resurrected twice. It's true. Jesus, Lazarus, and Murphy hold that divinely intervened distinction.  

It was 2 years ago when the vet told us to bring in all who love this pup to say their goodbyes. He might not make it until morning. All must come today. My youngest drove over and hour....one solemn hour....to say his goodbyes. Many tears. Much love. He said a final goodbye. He thought. The next morning, I awake not knowing what I would find. I found a resurrected dog bouncing out the door to do his business. No lingering signs of imminent passing.

Since then, he's been in his resurrected wellness for close to 2 years. We had to apologize for putting our son through the trauma of that sad night. Credit is due to IV treatment, a new diet and off-limit treats. Still miraculous.

Our new vet gave a similar warning 3 weeks ago. Murph has 5 major conditions and has graduated to the need for palliative care. I had to look that one up. It means we're letting Murphy be the ruler of our roost. He calls the shots with the amount of ear rubs and car rides he gets to his liking. He initially didn't feel up to most anything. We were spoon feeding him to get him to consume enough to gain enough lost weight. Ribs sticking out isn't a good look. Now with the help of steroids, it appears he's back to his cute cat-like self. 

He appeared to wait to resurrect until after we had notified all his previous care givers and loved ones. After tears and gifts and full-on attention, he decides he got what he wanted and didn't need more sympathy any more. Looks like he had us fooled and is enjoying this 3rd life of his. Time will tell.

I'm not sympathy seeking in my lack of doggy devotion. Instead, I would be seeking anyone who would care to lend a dog for occasional lap sits or shopping trips hanging out inside my purse. There may be something in this for all of us. I'll be waiting to receive your application. Inquiries accepted below.

When you've reached the ripe age we have, you've probably held onto a lot of things for a lot of time. Your house, your car, your clothes, your dog, your cat, your cat-dog. Pretty much everything in your life becomes an antique. I'm considered an antique to many. I prefer the term of a time-traveled treasure.

No one ever seems to question whether I'm worthy of a senior citizen discount. Antiques do bring value.

Murphy is going on 14. That's the equivalent of 75 for you and me. If he does indeed have 9 lives, then we will get 126 years with him. I'd better get him a guardian. He's got a lot of goodie left to go.

Hold on and enjoy those antiques and time-traveled treasures! Do you have some you are especially fond of at your house? Do you live with a cat, a dog, or a little of both? Please comment and share below.

Cat or Dog?

Fish or Frog?

Which one's best?

It's your guess.

  

                      Looks simple enough but don't be fooled! Fighting off bites & cat-like scratches!

It was a challenge corralling a cat!