Dog Days

I have a dog. I love her. She is going to be 13. I have had her since she was 10 weeks old. As someone against puppy mills and pet stores, I have to admit that is where our relationship began. My only excuse, I knew no better. When I first met her at 8 weeks, she suffered from a dastardly case of kennel cough that left me heartbroken and in love. I had to save this poor pup from her meager existence at "puppy love". Nearly 13 years later Molly experiences occasional bouts of incontinence, a horrible case of allergies and a serious sense of entitlement. In her golden years I want the best for her and to indulge certain behaviors, yet I find myself taxed by her non-human needs. After all I have 2 small children and a demanding husband sucking the life from me...uh, I mean, loving me. I am guilty.