It’s not a big thing!

Beaumont: So… let me get this straight. You go away to see the Littles in Vancouver at the beginning of September. And then, you jaunt off to some green island you call Ireland for another 10 days. Now,, you’re barely home five days and you’ve brought that pesty, “I’m so excited to be here, pant, pant, pant. Let’s Play!” two-year old, Martha the Labradoodle, into MY HOME for 2 weeks? I mean really Louise, what about me?

Me: What about you Beau?

Beau: Well… don’t I get a say? What if I just want to be alone with you?

Me: Beau. We’re alone every day when we go to the park and when you’re in the studio with me and all sorts of time. And anyway, C.C.’s also here and that’s ok, so what’s wrong with sharing a little love with Martha?

Beau: She’s just a kid, Louise. She wants to play. All the time! I mean, let an old dog sleep why can’t she?

Me: Now Beau. Don’t you go get all crochety in your senior years!

Beau: Let’s face it Louise. I’m getting too old to have to teach some young thing the ways of my world. I just want to spend my time with the people I love. You and my dad.

Me: Oh Beau. That’s so sweet! Are you getting soft in your old age?

Beau: Who you callin’ old Louise? Wasn’t the point of your big trip to celebrate an upcoming big thing birthday coming up?

Me: It’s only a big thing birthday if i make it a big thing birthday Beau. It’s a birthday. We all have them every year. Why should this one be any different?

Beau: ‘Cause it’s a BIG number.

Me: Haha. Very funny Beau. It is just a number none-the-less.

Beau: So if it’s just a number why did you make such a big thing about taking yourself away on a ‘For me. By me. With me.” trip to Ireland?

Me: Hmmmm….. Well…

Beau: Ha! See! It is a big thing and you’re just trying to pretend it’s not!

Me: Well… I suppose there is some truth in that, Beau. But, think about it. Every time we turn a ‘decade’, we tend to mark it in some way.

Beau: We being hoomans, Right Louise? ‘Cause we pooches don’t see a lot of decade turning. Which is why birthdays aren’t the big thing to us. Spending time with our hoomans, where ever in the world they go, is. Get it?

Me: (sighing) Yes Beau. I get it. You’re upset I left you at home. Again.

Beau: YES! I missed you! (and he gives me his big doleful puppy-dog eyes and looks all sweet and cuddly)

Me: (rubbing behind his ears and under his chin) I miss you too when I’m away, Beau.

Beau: Ah Ha! Then why go? Or if you are going to go, why not take me with you?

Me: Beau. We’ve been through this before. You know how anxious you get in the car, and I’m not about to fly you half way around the world!

Beau: (sighing big-time) Life’s not fair. You get to go gallivanting around while I get to stay put. What if I like to travel too but I don’t know it yet ’cause you won’t let me?

Me: I guess we’ll never find out.

Beau: Whoa! Now that’s a bit harsh I’d say Louise. Couldn’t you at least attempt to make me feel like you care about my untested desire to explore the world?

Me: Some things are best left untested Beau.

Beau: Then why test my patience by bringing that young hooligan, Martha, into my home?

Me: ‘Cause she’s your cousin and it’s the right thing to do to support L and T so they can go to Italy for two weeks.

Beau: You see what’s wrong with this picture, right Louise?

Me: I’m sure you’re going to tell me.

Beau: Once again, the hoomans are off exploring the world while we pooches get left behind.

Me: I supposed you’ve got a point.

Beau: I’ve always got a point Louise. The challenge is, it doesn’t change anything. You hoomans still leave us behind.

Me: I’m sorry you feel that way, Beau.

Beau: Why are you saying you’re sorry for my feelings? They’re mine and you’re feeling sorry for them doesn’t change anythjing. What creates change is you doing something different so that my feelings don’t get in the way of our united happiness. How about saying, “I’m sorry what I’ve done has caused you distress. How can I make amends?”

Me: Oh boy. You lost me on that one Beau.

Beau: Of course I did. You are just hooman.

Me: Okay. Okay. What can I do to make amends?

Beau. How about commit to taking me with you next time?

And he smiles sweetly, closes his eyes and goes back to sleep. I opt to let sleeping dogs lie. Maybe when he wakes up he’ll have forgotten the whole conversation and I’ll be off the hook?…

Beau: (opening one eye) Not going to happen Louise.

And he goes back to sleep.

Sigh. A girl can dream, can’t she?

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