Modern Dog Writing Contest

Dave (my fiance) and I went to Borders the other evening. We like to browse the books together, and I wanted a new Moleskine planner. I also like to look through the magazines and I found one that looked enjoyable called Modern Dog Magazine.

It is a tad on the trendy side, but I do like some of the information in there, as well as the shared stories among readers. It does seem however, that you can get all of the information online for free that you can get out of the magazine. I do love to have that tactile experience with literature though. Anyhow, I am not the kind of person who dresses up my dog, or babies my dog. My dog is my dog. She's a beast, she's my best friend, and I love to take care of her. However, I see all animals as animals, including myself. That being said, I don't have anything against people who spoil their pooches rotten, or even dress them up, people can do as they please. I just don't do it for my mutt. I'm a medium dog kind of person (though I was originally just a cat person :P), like they'd be if you let them breed as they pleased. I do however tend to like all the dogs I meet (unless they are nasty little ankle biters). I think it's odd that we keep pets in our home and treat them like accessories, but it's just the state of things, and I suppose I fall into that state.

I'm not a coddler, but I am a caregiver. I find it very rewarding taking care of things, whether it be errands or animals, I like to provide my services. (Some say it's a "Mary" thing, haha.) So, even though I am on a limited budget, I make sure I do the best I can do for all, in the situation that I am in. A pet does not consume nearly as many expenses as individuals do for themselves. She doesn't require a car payment, insurance (though you can get it, and vet bills can be very costly), gasoline, etc. so I try to provide her a very healthy diet along with exercise. I would love to be able to cook for her daily, but we are currently living in an extremely cramped and stressful home with two other people and we do not get to cook as we would like. When I get the chance to, I do lightly cook her up some Stella & Chewy's frozen lamb patties (she doesn't like it raw, weirdo) with any vegetables, fruits, herbs, eggs and yogurt I can find (that's safe for her to eat) from time to time in the morning. I feed her a variety of Acana grain-free kibble in the evening, and she does very well on this diet.  I also give her supplements when I can afford it. Midna does not have control over her life, she looks to Dave and I for her care. If she were on the streets, she'd be thrown in the pound. She doesn't get to choose where and how she lives. She cannot reproduce and her life is completely dependent on her caregivers. This, is part of why I choose to give her the best I can provide. She has no choice but to go with our flow. Now, Midna is not the perfect mutt. She doesn't like other dogs, she whines when Dave and I aren't with her, she sometimes throws up water when she drinks too fast or "leaks" a little when she's super excited and someone bends down to pet her, but overall, she is pretty great! She helps bring us joy, especially when it is difficult to find it at all. She doesn't chew up our stuff, she goes outside when she's "got to go", she eats the food I give her, she sticks right by us when she's off-leash, she listens to "commands", and she hangs out with us any time she can. In return she gets good food, clean water, a roof over her head, car rides, bike rides, walks (not as much as I'd like), belly rubs, visits to the dog park (and anywhere that is dog friendly), treats, toys, no parasites, groomed by me, good health, and all of our love. Even with that there always seems to be this imbalance. I expect her to be a the best dog she can with what I can provide her, and she expects nothing and loves us unconditionally. I guess that's just the way it is with pets!

So, in this magazine there is a writing contest, "How I met my dog". Well, I doubt I will "win" (which I believe just gets you published), but I feel like contributing. We got Midna under sort of unusual circumstances. She caused us stress and frustration at first, but there is no way we would give her up. She immediately immersed herself in us, and since she's been with us, Dave and I have felt like we have our own little family.

I will post my "story" when I am ready to submit it. Just felt like sharing a little about how I feel about our lovely "pets".

Dave trying to calm Midna's excitement. Did someone say "go for a ride"?
Oops, that would be my fault!