Sweet Child O Mine

Last night I woke up three times to bring Clinton into bed. I buy clothes for him that look cute and keep him warm. A few weeks before that I grew frustrated as he wouldn't sit still for his Christmas picture. Mind you, I am not talking about a child, but rather my dog, Bill Clinton.

Tony and I got a dog a few months back. My mother calls him her grandson and I often refer to us as parents now. And in many ways he is like a child. We have to feed him and take him to get his shots and buy him toys. When he misbehaves we have to discipline him and reward him for good behavior. We compare him to other people's pets and praise how much better masters we are than everyone else, just like parents do. It recently him me last week though, that even though we have the same responsibilities as parents, we can't treat him just like a child.

Tony and I were trying to finish our Christmas shopping and I didn't want to leave Clinton at home by himself. And I was telling Tony that in many ways, Clinton is like a baby only better. He is actually quieter than most kids we know. He doesn't smell, he doesn't scream. If he did come with us to the store, he's just sit in the cart and stare at us or probably just sleep in his bag while we decided between broccoli florets and broccoli stems.

I began to get very irked by this and wanted to start up some firestorm of a protest to which Tony reminded me that some people are allergic to dogs which is why we can't take him to the store. "Some people are allergic to kids," I responded. He just stared at me.

The more I think about this, the more sense it makes for us to be allowed to take our canine companions places. Dogs are cheaper than kids too. They don't require the latest Ipod or Barbie toy. Clinton doesn't make a scene at the store when I don't buy him the newest squeakie ball. He doesn't talk back to me and scream he hates me because I make him go to bed. And besides, everyone we know likes Clinton, literally, not one person doesn't like him. I know plenty of people who don't like kids that I know. Plenty.

Oh well. For now, I will accept the fact that I can't take Clinton to the store. He'll just sit at home with the Disney channel on, like most kids I know.

:)
-D