Spoiled Rotten

I have come to the realization that Molly is spoiled rotten. I will be home for about the next six weeks and when I am at home, she gets used to going out every couple of hours. She has not shown any concern that my arm is hurting and I would like to rip it right out of it's socket. I dutifully take her out and I guess she shows her appreciation in more subtle ways.

Home Alone

My roommate went back to work this morning and Molly was left home alone for the first time in about two months. Molly has always seemed to do a lot better if I confine her to my bedroom when I leave for the day but my roommate used to let her out when he got up. When I got home today and opened my bedroom door, she was sound asleep on the bed but she was good to go.

I would love to go one of those pet cams and put around Molly's neck just to see what she did all day long and also see the world from her point of view. However, it may be a good thing that she cannot narrate any video that might be forthcoming.

Nurse Molly

I have to have shoulder on my right shoulder in a couple of days and my biggest worry is about my dog. I am not worried about what happens to me. I just want to make sure Molly is cared for. I have had several surgeries over the years and Molly and I have had several experiences as a result.

After my last foot operation, I was brought home and propped up on the bed and Molly wanted to get up on the bed with me. Nobody wanted to let her up there but I insisted she be allowed up there. Molly crawled up beside my heavily wrapped foot and dared anyone to come near me. If any visitor came near my foot, Molly was standing on top of the bed, hovering over my foot, and showing some teeth. She was not playing around.

I was looped on painkillers this other time and Molly decided she needed out in the middle of the night. While walking down the flight of stairs at my apartment complex, I missed a step and fell, knocking myself out cold for a minute or so. Molly was still insistent on being walked so she starts trying to drag me down the sidewalk until I came to. Molly was not about to allow a little unconsciousness to deter her from her Midnight walk.

A New Collar

Most dog's do not have a lot of accessories to work with. You se some dogs with these cute little bandannas on but that is not Molly's style. A friend of mine bought Molly one several years ago. I put it on her and that lasted all of about thirty minutes before she managed to hook her paw in it and tear it off.

All Molly has is a collar. She does like to have a little bit of bling on it but that is about where the accessorizing stops. I had to change out her collar this morning. I gave her a royal blue one that fit just perfect. I like to change her collars out about every six months to give her a new look.

A Commanding Presence

Molly is an "Alpha" dog. She always has been and always will be. When she walks into a room she immediately takes possession. She knows how to work a room. She thoroughly checks it out, sniffs out any and all foreign substances especially food like particles, and gives it her own threat assessment. If anyone enters the room, she takes notice and assesses whether they are a threat or not. If a bed is made, she assumes it was made for her. If anyone gets out of a chair or off the couch, she assumes that person warmed that spot for her. It is great to be Molly.

More Than A Dog

A friend of mine posted on her Facebook page yesterday that she had taken her dog to the Vet but nothing could be done for him and that they were going to have to put him to sleep. I prefer the term "put to sleep" over "put them down."

To any dog owner, their dog is more than just a dog. He/she is family and are treated accordingly. They are included in all family activities, they have their own space in the house, they are included in family meetings, and are very helpful in times of family crisis. They are there for all of the important events. Most dog owners put their dogs ahead of themselves. I know I do. That is why it bothers a dog owner to see their dog be in pain and in the slightest amount of suffering. Facing life without them is tough, but watching them suffer is even more unbearable.

Keeping My Eye On You

Molly likes to lay right in the middle of everything to make sure nothing gets by her. She will let right in the doorway of my bedroom to make sure I do not get out of the house without her, she will lay right in the middle of the living room and kitchen to make sure I do not get by her. If she hears my computer chair squeak when I get up, she is up like a shot to see where I am going and if she knows I am getting ready to go somewhere, she is glued to my side because she does not want me to forget that I need her to go with me.

Hot On The Trail

I took Molly on her walk this afternoon and she was hot on the trail of something but I don't know what. The woods surrounding my house contains quite a bit of wildlife, some of them we can probably take on, others I would prefer not to. One of the problems is that I usually can't see what Molly has picked up the scent of. It is usually a struggle to pull her off the trail but I believe that it is probably a matter of self preservation. Molly and I are too old to be brawling with anything.

The Dog Food Bowl Annex

I keep Molly's dog food bowl in my bedroom because that is where I normally spend most of my time. I believed it was easy access for Molly no matter what time of day. Molly's old roommate Mandy's food bowl still sits in the kitchen where it always has been. Molly decided a few days ago that Mandy's food bowl needed to be filled so she would not have to waste her time walking into the bedroom to eat. She needed a food bowl annex and now she will come and tell me when it is empty.

OMG

All dogs fart. It is one of the undeniable truths about being a dog owner. Molly has this funny routine she goes through when she farts. She will be sitting on the bed or the living room floor and she will cut an audibly loud fart and she will jump up and will be like "Oh My God! Somebody just farted!" and run out of the room. I can't help but laugh until the smell hits me. Then it is not a laughing matter.

After The Rain Is Over

For Molly, the best part of walking in the rain is after it is over. She gets a little bit soggy and gives a couple of good shakes at the front door to get rid of the excess water off of her coat. We come inside and I get a big bath towel and throw over her and start rubbing her down with it. I can even throw it over her head and she doesn't flinch. Let the Vet try to do that and somebody is going to bleed. She lets me rub her head down and give her back a good rub and you can't forget the belly.

The Best In People

I believe that dogs somehow see the best in people, no matter what the person's status in life is. My dog Molly has befriended my alcoholic roommate, especially after the untimely death of his dog. I believe Molly senses the sadness in him and she keeps a careful eye on him. They have formed a bond that even alcohol can't destroy and I know my roommate appreciates it. Molly keeps an eye on me as well but she knows that I will be fine.

The Umbrella

My girlfriend gets the biggest kick out of seeing me hold an umbrella over my dog so she will go outside when it is raining. If I could get Molly to cooperate and wear a doggie rain suit or one of those umbrella hats, then I would not have to hold the umbrella over her. 99% of all dog owners will do silly things like this to accommodate their dog because that is what a dog owner does. I hate to break this to my girlfriend but if we are going to take our relationship "to the next level" like she wants to, then she had better practice her umbrella holding skills.

The Five Senses

I was out walking Molly this morning and it was a picture perfect morning. The sun was just coming over the mountain, the temperature was perfect, and all we could hear was the gurgling of the creek, the singing of the birds, and the occasional woodpecker pounding out a rhythm on the tree he was working on.

The morning was pleasing to all of my senses and all of Molly's as well, especially her sense of smell. On our walks she stops and smells everything. She tastes the grass, she smells the trees and the flowers, and she feels my gentle hand patting her on the back. That makes for a perfect Sunday morning.

Molly Takes Over

Molly and I had another sleepover at the girlfriend's last night and Molly once again took over like she owned the place. She watched a movie with us, introduced herself to the other guests in the house, secured the grounds, and fertilized the neighbor's yard. She sounds like the hostess rather than the guest. My girlfriend got several good pictures of Molly laying on her animal print bedspread and she looked perfectly comfortable in her new role.

Unrestrained Doggie Happiness

There is nothing better in the world than a dog showing unrestrained joy in doing something it absolutely loves. With my roommate's dog Mandy, it was the sheer joy of running freely through the woods. The way she bounded through the woods was fun to watch. She moved like a Gazelle and she was fun to watch. With Molly, it is the joy of taking a walk late in the afternoon and me and her breaking into a jog to finish the walk. Molly just loves being outside, all the sights, sounds, and smells. Pure doggie happiness.

My Side Of The Bed

I do not own a huge bed but it is big enough for two human beings to fit comfortably in it. That is why I cannot figure out why me and Molly cannot seem to fit in it at the same time. The fact that she takes up 90% of the bed space may have something to do with it and the fact that when she stakes her claim to her spot, she isn't moving may be another part of it. Molly turns up her nose at the thought of having to sleep in her pet bed any more and I should be used to it by now. I should lay some foot to her furry ass but something tells me that would not end well for me so I guess I will have to be content with my 10%. This is worse than divorce. I would at least get half of that.

A Thunderstorm

Molly hates thunderstorms. She will do everything in her power to make sure I am awake during one. She for damn sure is not going outside during one. Which is a good idea. Molly and I actually hid in the closet one time because of a potential tornado. I had a hard time getting her in the closet and Molly was actually pretty calm during all of that. I was scared because I could not tell what was going on outside. I could hear the hail hitting the roof and that was it. We are having a bad thunderstorm now. Molly is right by my side.

The Food Bowl

Molly's food bowl incurs her wrath every morning when I go to work and all I can say is, she must have really been pissed this morning. Her food bowl and matching water bowl were a gift to her from a stripper friend of mine and Molly's favor cannot be curried by any means.

She tossed her food bowl and it's contents under a fold out chair in my bedroom and it took me about 15 minutes to find it when I got home from work. Usually she flips it into the corner of the room behind the door and leaves it there. The other day her food bowl was empty but there was food all over the floor. Molly refused to eat what was on the floor and insisted, rather rudely, that I put food in her bowl. What a spoiled rotten dog!

Molly And The Easter Bunny

Molly and I saw the first rabbit yesterday at this house since we moved in here nine months ago. It was kind of appropriate since this is Easter weekend. Molly gave it a spirited chase (much more spirited than I did) but I was not about to let her catch the Easter Bunny. Molly has always preferred rabbits to squirrels because they play fair. A squirrel just climbs a tree to get away (not playing fair) and then gives Molly lip while they are in the tree. I have never let her catch any of them and with Molly, it has always been the thrill of the chase.

A New Laptop

I had to break down and buy me a new laptop this morning because my old one crapped out on me in a major way so I had to take a short hiatus from Molly's World until I got it figured out. I now I have it figured out, at least I think so. Everything is all good in the kingdom of Molly. She has lots of love, treats, and attention.

Spring Is Back

Molly is glad spring is here. She loves the cold weather but it makes her body ache and she doesn't move as fast. Molly looks at me with those eyes full of anticipation. Anticipation of another walk, a belly rub, or a nap.