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Suckers Jennifer and I are suckers. We believe in the general goodness of children, trust people to tell us the truth, and vote for Democrats in Kansas. Tell us a good story about a sorry case, and we have trouble resisting the urge to try to help. That’s how Monty got here. A friend of a spouse of a co-worker had this dog, he couldn’t keep. He needed to find it a good home, and he was desperate enough to give it away to the first person who didn’t look like Michael Vick. That’s a story I might be able to resist, but, naturally, there was a kicker. It was a Boxer – our favorite breed. Our last Boxer died a few months ago, so we had a “need.” Bleeding hearts that we are, we wanted to make sure the dog got to a good home. So we said we’d take him, thinking we could give him to Boxer Rescue if we decided he was too much work for us. That’s how Monty got in the house. His stay began inauspiciously when he tried to mark the loveseat, but Jennifer explained to him that was strictly forbidden, so he went off to mark the kitchen floor instead. He’s at least 20 pounds underweight. He “only” weighs 60 pounds right now. He hasn’t been neutered. His vaccines weren’t up to date. Concerned, we took him to the vet. One hundred fifty-five dollars later, he was pronounced to be in good health aside from a few sores that needed antibiotics and the need to gain a lot of weight. A rational person can look at that situation and say, “That dog’s going to cost a lot of money. I’d better let Boxer Rescue handle his rehabilitation and placement.” We are not rational people. We are suckers. Monty knows this. Aside from his socially unacceptable attempt to mark the house, he’s been doing his best to ingratiate himself here ever since he arrived. He gives lots of kisses. He lies on your feet. He plays with our daughter. He acts like a typical Boxer doofus. My wallet, still sore from the pounding it took this summer when the entire house broke, is recoiling in fear at the presence of the new dog. It can see what is going to happen. Free of any major medical issues, there’s no “good” reason for Monty to leave. We were intending to get another Boxer anyway, although we wanted a puppy. But puppies cost even more than adult dogs. So this is a bargain, right? So goes the logic of a sucker. Jennifer and I are trying to be rational people. We have not yet pronounced Monty a new member of the family. Neither, though, have we set a date for making a decision. I suspect next week will come, and no decision will have been made yet. And the longer he stays. . . . So, suckers that we are, we will continue to trust people and to vote for Democrats in Kansas . As long as that’s the case, I suspect a certain brindle Boxer will be keeping us company. |
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