[The following column was printed in The Forum, North Dakota’s largest daily newspaper, on June 21, 2011. Reprinted with permission.]
Parenting Perspectives: Snickers the Puppy a Sweet Addition
By Roxane B. Salonen, The Forum
Ironic that I, the long-ago girl who dreamed of someday owning a puppy store, would be the staunch hold-out.
For three solid years my family has been on a fervent crusade to turn our five-kid, two-cat home into a canine-comfy casa.
“Absolutely not!” I said repeatedly, unquestionably.
Stepping back 35 years in time, you’d never have guessed it. I was growing up in a reservation town without a leash law. The world was my puppy store, and I had my pick.
Marlene, Tammy, Salty and Sheba were strays that found their way into and out of my life and heart. (I never had a chance to name the rabid hound who sauntered into our yard one day, so quickly did the cops come once Mom saw the steady stream of saliva running from its mouth.) Eventually the “real” dogs – Tickles, Midnight and Corky – arrived, all hand-selected from farms my father had visited during his work for the county.
It was an environment replete with canine calls – the yelping of dogs nudged by car tires, the territorial growling of springtime packs, the screeching of mutts weary from the monthlong run of fireworks.
In that canine-laden culture, I was mostly content. Though frightened by the roughest of them, the softer ones had me enraptured.
This love continued through early marriage. But when kids arrived and our yellow Lab became, well, just a pet, I began questioning whether dogs and family were inseparable.
I was up to my mother eyeballs in dirty diapers, after all. The daily topping-off of doggy-doo had become excretion overload. So after Frasier died when our middle child was a baby, we didn’t seek a replacement.
Now, after years of canine-free adamancy, I’m undergoing reversion.
The blame goes to said middle child. On the cusp between childhood and adolescence, she begged once more for a puppy, offering to forgo her 11th birthday party in exchange. And in a moment of maternal weakness, foreseeing future years of boys replacing pets, I caved.
After some careful searching, an Adopt-a-Pet puppy pranced into our lives and has taken up residence.
I have yet to shake all my mother-guardedness, concerned as I am about the added responsibility for which I’ve just signed up. But watching this 3-month-old cutie turn somersaults in our backyard grass – not to mention the kids’ glee the other day when he got “stuck” in a pillow and ran around haphazardly like a pillow with legs – I remembered a few things I’d forgotten in these years of practiced practicality.
It’s OK to let go and be a little goofy. Living in the moment is underrated. And unconditional love is the best.
Snickers, welcome to the Salonen household. (Thank goodness we decided to wait on installing new carpet.)
Roxane B. Salonen works as a freelance writer and children’s author in Fargo, where she and her husband, Troy, parent five children.
Our puppy Frosty, now 10 months old, has made our lives much more difficult, but much more gleeful. I know that of which you speak, my friend. 🙂
Oh, I love that you pave the way in front of me with such grace and class! Just this week a fly on our wall would have heard me saying, “there will be NO pets in MY home, I can’t even clean up the poop and pay for the children to live, I’m not going to add trying to figure it out with something that doesn’t even have a SOUL to my list!” Hahaha, but, my middle daughter has an animal whisperer talent thing developing, so check back in with me in 10 years when she can trade things like her birthday for a chance at love with a fur-ball 🙂
Rosslyn, what a cute name! The naming alone was quite the task. And oh yes, I can hear your commiserating words and believe you when you say “I know that of which you speak my friend.” I may show up in your inbox requesting tips in the coming weeks. 🙂
As for you, Holly dear, you make me smile. You hold fast to that sentiment…until the right time. Then, and only then. You have enough on your plate for now, my dear, and I’m glad you realize it! But a decade from now, it might be time. 🙂 Enjoy little feet for now, rather than paws. 🙂
First, his name would make me crave my favorite candy bar. Second, he’s adorable, no wonder you couldn’t resist. Third, I’m remembering the dog stories you’ve shared with me and know this is also for your inner child. Enjoy!
This is so timely and ironic! We have been “dog free’ for 11 years. Our kids (8 and 5) have been begging for a dog for at least the last 2 years. I have no more excuses. Pets are such an important part of a childs life. I am off to check out a puppy today, and another on Friday. I predict by Sunday we will have a new addition to our family. And how sweet it will be 🙂
I’m thrilled that you took on the challenge of adopting a puppy. The thought or it makes my heart sing! Not only does a dog (or any pet) teach us responsibilty, but he/she also teaches us serenity. Studies show that just petting a dog reduces anxiety and worry. Best to you all!
M
Mary, it’s a funny thing that Beth doesn’t care for the Snickers candy but loves her new puppy. 🙂 And yes, I do think the inner child is what has drawn me to this puppy. 🙂
Becky (I think), that is so neat! I told Beth I might have helped inspire another family to find a puppy and she lit up with the thought.
Marie, really? I didn’t know that but am not surprised. I have felt that while sleeping next to my children, and today I took a nap next to Snickers and felt the same. 🙂 A man’s, a woman’s, a child’s best friend. 🙂