For the longest time, Britton has treated Sadie with indifference. Sometimes she'll be really sweet to Sadie, telling her good-bye when we leave the house, or throwing the ball for Sadie outside. But most of the time, they act like siblings - Britton suddenly wants my lap when Sadie is in it, and Sadie trembles when she thinks she might get poked.
But that all changed when I brought out our Cracker Barrel Boston Terrier statue for Christmas decorating. It's a small resin statue standing about a foot tall, with a wreath around the dog's neck. Britton is head-over-heels in love with it, and she insists on taking it with her anywhere we go. One morning she pointed at it and said, "Britton's Sadie." Then she pointed at Sadie and said "Momma's Sadie." I told her Sadie was part of the family and that everyone got to love on her, not just me. But she still insists that the Cracker Barrel Sadie is hers!
"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made." ~Roger Caras
So imagine my delight when we were all hanging out watching Dora, and Sadie saddles on up next to Britton. Britton turned to her and started petting her, then wrapped Sadie up in a big bear hug. And Sadie let her. It may have taken two years to get to this point, but I predict it will be less time than that when Britton starts thinking of Sadie as her Sadie. They will be thick as thieves, these two - Britton dressing Sadie up and Sadie obliging, Britton whispering secrets into Sadie's ear, Sadie sneaking off at night to snuggle into bed with Britton. Britton may own many dogs in her lifetime, but I don't know that anything comes close to the love you have for your first dog.
"The dog was created especially for children. He is the God of frolic." ~ Henry Ward Beecher
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