Benson was wearing his Big Dog muzzle this time. Aaron was ready; I was ready. We got Benson in the back of the Subaru. He frolicked as usual.
I was chatting with Aaron from the back seat when Benson suddenly climbed over the seats and into my lap. He plops his big butt down on the workout bag next to me and just pants in my lap.
That's all he wants. He doesn't like being in the back. He wants to sit with me. So....I guess that's what we're doing from now on.
There's a bench in my apartment and when I sit on it, that tells Benson one of two things is happening:
We're getting ready for a walk.
Or it's Mommy time.
Mommy time is when Benson asks for physical affection and play. And he plays rough.
I think people would be alarmed if they saw the way me and Benson play. He's all big head, wide open mouth, big teeth, and crazy eyes jumping and pulling and tugging and zoomie-ing, and biting (on the toys in my hands), and growling. It's effing terrifying looking. He makes me laugh. I love it.
A couple times I misjudge the distance between my fingers and his canines but not very often. He sometimes gets too excited and wants to chew on my shoe but not very often.
He's big and heavy and those teeth are no joke. But he's my big Schmoopie.
Here is Benson Dubois ignoring my boundaries and impatiently insisting I speed up my bio break so we can hit the streets for his third sniffari of the day.
A colleague graciously offered to drive me to late pickup and take us home after the event.
He gets a little excited, I said. She said, That's fine.
We put him in her crowded backseat, which also contained her two child seats and all her kids' toys, boots, sweaters, and stuff. I sat in the front, and suddenly, an 80-lb pittie was scrambling over the seats and in my lap between my legs.
My colleague laughed so hard that she choked.
He climbed into my lap, and I swear his whole mouth covered mine -- pittie flaps and all. I was traumatized.
She laughed harder, tears streaming.
'Oh, damn. Your face...'
I grabbed his harness and collar hard, locked the door and rolled down the window. I snapped my seatbelt. Benson chomped at the air through the window and I could feel his body sink into mine. He relaxed.
We rode all the way home like that: him in my lap, grinning out the open window, his big ol head blocking my view.
I love this guy, but I gotta teach him some car discipline.
This morning I dropped Benson at boarding so I could fly down for the funeral. He was pulling SO hard all the way there. He saw his favorite attendant and nearly yanked me into the street. He's also 80 lbs. Hello, dog diet.
Later my lyft driver (a chill, young Black dude) who magically appeared out of nowhere told me he owns a boutique dog business (nobarkzone.com) and we got to talking. He asked what my biggest friction is and I said transport.
Him: We do that!!
Me: Gtfoh.
Him: if you need us to pick y'all up and drop him off home after daycare we can do that. You're not the only one who needs this!
Y'all, I felt this was a ram in the bush situation. I am so tired of the 5 am hustle.
Oh and my org was named a Yield Giving awardee today!!! (That's the big news I've been holding.)
We're outside Cole Coffee walking toward a guy holding a bag of pastries. To call this man a snack would defame snacks. He was, uh, good LORDT. The kids would call him Silver Zaddy.
He took one look at Benson, put down his pastries, got down on one knee (a really muscular knee, too), and gave Benson the best neck/ear rub of his life.
Him: Can I say hi to this guy? oh my god he's so handsome! You're a handsome boi! Lookit this big guy! I love these dogs so MUCH.
And so on.
Benson was in manhandled heaven. I appreciated the aesthetics of the moment.
I waited to say anything until we turned the corner.
Me: Benson, you are a Daddy magnet. Maaaan, if I was in the market for a Daddy, I would clean up. But I'm a Mommy. You're not helping at ALL.
Benson lumbering from his nap, trudging to his water, dropping goop drops everywhere, coming to me (where I'm eating leftover veggie fried rice), belching in my face, and waiting for some rice to drop into his mouth.
So I deliberately triggered a Zoomie that turned into 8 Zoomies (sorry, downstairs neighbor), fed him early, gave him 2 calming chews, and now he's on his bed getting all drowsy.
I'm a Dog Mom.
Of course I'm gonna get down on all fours and count my dog baby's breaths while he's sleeping and make sure it's not elevated for any reason.
I'm a Dog Mom.
Of course I'mma fuss over my big dog baby and tuck him in under a soft cozy blanket.
1 day long nap
1/3 16 oz container of Temptations Value Size cat treats consumed
1 sunflower stuffie nibbled to death (twice)
1 substantial poop
1 dry morning walk (yay!)
1 rainy 5 pm walk (boo)
1 tumble off the couch
5 min on the floor with Mommy
(I wanted to see how he'd act if I mirrored his behavior on the floor. He was curious, brought me his sunflower, and we both played with our own toy for a few minutes in the same position. It was sweet.)