After many years without a dog I got one. A semi-rescue, he
was in a home where, after three years, the other dog started fighting with
him. He fought back and has many scars and missing teeth. At seven years old, I
should have him for several more years.
He is a lab mix named “Banner” as in Bruce Banner, the Incredible
Hulk.
Other than liking dogs in general, I thought having one
would make me more active and less of a hermit.
Little did I know the changes he would bring in less than
two weeks. He needs to be walked four times a day forcing me to exercise more.
I’ve lost a few pounds.
The building I live in, a Senior 62+ four story building
with 96 apartments, is populated mainly by unattached women. They gather in the
lobby and common areas to gossip and play board games. Many have decided they
love Bannner. I can’t make it out of the lobby or common areas without running
a gauntlet of cooing females who feed him treats behind my back. He enjoys the
attention.
Is he now my wingman?
Within the apartment, when he decides he wants attention he
comes and shoves his nose in my lap. Despite his earnest desire, I will not let
him be a lap dog! I have a big lap but not 62 pounds big.
I do make him sleep in a crate after the first night when he
decided to share my bed.
I’m still working independent contractor jobs and he accompanies
me. Any clients that don’t like it can pack sand. I spent too many years on the
road to go back to rules and requirements. If I travel now, it is on my terms.
We are still working on who is the “pack leader”. The
blasted females in the building aren’t helping!
So far he has shown no aggression to the horde of little yappers
the other residents have. One disabled former policeman has a female Irish setter
that wants to be his friend. He doesn’t bark or growl.
Watchdog? Yeah, he would watch the thieves carry away my
stuff!
