absolutely lucy
One of Mimi’s homework assignments for school tomorrow is to bring a picture of a dog. Of course, she has to bring a picture of Lucy since she’s the family dog. Upon searching for a picture of just Lucy I got to thinking about our many years with her. This 7-year-old dog that resides with our family has and will always have a love/hate relationship with me. Lucy continues to do things that irk me to no end. Many of you have been witness to her food thievery which she will never overcome. Countless times we have found her hiding in a corner because she knows she’s been very naughty by stealing food from the kitchen countertops. Lucy absolutely knows that this is wrong but still does it anyway because the gratification of people food far outweighs her punishment. Lately, we’ve discovered that Lucy has been obsessing over a landscaping nook in our yard surrounded by keystone. This dog has almost completely dug out the area including removing the keystone. Apparently, there is some creature living in the patch of land that is tormenting Lucy to no end. She doesn’t care that she will get disciplined for her actions. Again, her obsession is much more important than the consequences.
After many years with this dog it has become clear that she has a bit of OCD. When she hunts there is no way to deter her from the ultimate goal of finding birds. Mike literally has to shove food and water down her throat because she wants nothing other than to search out her feathered enemies. Her blood sugar gets so low that she’ll have a seizure if not properly nourished. Another obsession for Lucy is Mike. That dog wants nothing to do with anyone but him when he’s home. His arrival from work each day results in Lucy yelping and jumping at the door until she reaches him. Sometimes at night she’ll try to sneak under the covers with Mike while I’m still awake downstairs. When I try to coax her off the bed a little battle ensues. She growls and snaps at me. The only way to get her out of that bed is to either tempt her with treats or wake Mike up. I’d rather just find something down in the fridge than spend 10 minutes trying to wake Mike up.
What makes it all worth it though is that Mimi is utterly smitten with Lucy. Each day Lucy has to endure acts of “love” from Mimi such as lying on her, singing to her (”Looshy, Looshy!”), poking her in the face, pulling her ears, etc. I’d say Mimi spends a good half hour every single day alone with Lucy. Lucy usually takes it in stride with only a few growls and baring of the teeth. I think Lucy knows that Mimi means no harm.
All in all, Lucy is a pretty good dog. People who don’t live with her often comment on how “well-behaved” she is and how many tricks she can do. I just wish that after 7 years that she would realize that there are certain standards she must live by if she wants my unconditional love. Well, she already has that from Mike and Mimi, so that’s all that really matters to her.
October 24th, 200812:03 pm at
It sounds like you have a very good dog. She looks good too despite her wizened snout, I would venture to guess that the gray fur is a result of age and hunting battle scars.
Concerned citizen
October 24th, 20084:28 pm at
Lucy is a very special dog. I really enjoyed my time with her. I really miss having a dog around inspite of the care they require. Our dog Molly, was the most even tempered dog I’ve been around. I don’t think she ever growled at anyone even when the grand kids pushed, pulled, hit or tormented her. She liked to sleep in bed with me and would get under the covers, go down to the bottom of the bed, turn around a few times then come back up to the top with just her ehead sticking out from teh covers.
I don’t think I have ever seen a dog eat grapes, lettuce, celery or apples, but Lucy seems to love them.
October 24th, 20085:07 pm at
I linked to a website from your site called Tails of Shoeboxes and Princesses, from there I found an interesting site about crockpotery and the things you can make in those pots (or crocks), I am going to make yogurt, I think my daughters would like that.
Citizen
October 24th, 20085:43 pm at
what a awesome website! jen i haven’t met you but i grew up with mike. i saw him at jeb’s funeral and didn’t get a chance to really say hi. please tell him hi for me. your family is just beautiful! two darling little girls. mind if i look at your site from time to time - it’s so neat.
October 24th, 20086:07 pm at
Sweet sweet Lucy! How did you get her to sit still long enough for a picture? I’m always amazed that she is so willing to be kenneled. I can’t even get my kids spend time in their rooms.
Citizen, I want to try that very yogurt recipe too.
October 24th, 20086:08 pm at
Showbox? Gah, I can’t type. SHOEbox.
October 24th, 20086:48 pm at
What’s this about crockpots, citizen? I don’t recall seeing a yogurt recipe on SP’s site, but I can certainly ask her about it. I sense a little bias in your comments about Lucy.
Dennis-
Lucy really warmed up to you, too. I’m sure when it’s time for Lucy to leave this world I will miss her dearly (even though she drives me insane most of the time). She certainly has her good moments and does bring happiness to the people I love.
Marla-
Thanks for stopping by. You are definitely welcome to “visit” anytime. I’m sorry I couldn’t have gone to Jeb’s funeral and see the people so near and dear to him. He was such a sweet (and funny) guy. Thanks for your comments and hope to hear more from you. I noticed you’ve got a blog linked, too. I hope you don’t mind me peaking:)
SP-
I think I may have had a carrot in my hand to get her to sit still that long. You know her weakness for carrots. Lucy has gotten weird about her kennel lately. During the summer I would try to get her to come inside when we’d be leaving the house. Instead she’d go lie down in her kennel which is now in the garage. Such a strange animal. You’ll have to tell me where this yogurt recipe is. I think I must have missed it.
October 24th, 20089:47 pm at
I think that there is something about pets that make you less tolerant if you are also taking care of children. My cat irritates me to no end, even though she is just whining for food or love. I wish I had more energy for her. Pets are so patient.
October 24th, 200810:09 pm at
I hear ya, Denise. As much as I’m a cat person and love my Lily, I was ready to give her away when Annie was born. Of course, we didn’t get rid of her, and she’s now been with us for 10 years. She’s a really cuddly kitty and keeps me warm at night after the girls go to bed. How could I do away with that?
October 24th, 200810:59 pm at
I don’t have the recipe on my site, but if you click on Year of Crockpotting in my sidebar under Where I Spend My Time, that’ll be where you’ll find it. It was yesterday’s recipe. If Mike likes yogurt, he’ll be all over this like he was with making his own applesauce.
October 25th, 200812:14 am at
Thanks, Sara. I never noticed those links on your site. Yes, Mike will become obsessed with making yogurt. That’s what I’m afraid of.
October 25th, 20083:45 am at
No need to be afraid unless he starts making venison flavored yogurt. Then run as fast as you can…
October 25th, 20085:19 am at
How why did you have to go and say that because you know he’ll want to that now.
October 25th, 200812:29 pm at
Jen, I think Steph feels the same way about Lily as you do about Lucy. Maya loves Lily but Lily barely reciprocates. Lily goes nuts when I get home but will barely even open her eyes when someone else gets home. I think our dogs were probably separated at birth. But then again, maybe it’s the relationship of the two people that did most of the dogs’ training that brings out a certain personality in the dogs. Maybe on a deep, subconscious level, Mike and I trained the dogs to bother and annoy both you and Steph. Unfortunately, if that’s the case, it’s not something that we can control. It just happens that way. But it would be an interesting study if there was some way to quantify and qualify the reasoning. P.S. I like Lucy, too. Jake
October 25th, 200812:31 pm at
P.S.S. Mike, your water heater is ready for pick up when ever you want it. I would send it to you but it doesn’t quite fit in the mail box. It is a 220V I believe, you’ll have to convert that. Also, if you ever want me to save you grease, not a problem. I’ll just collect it when I know that you’re coming in town. I just have to keep some for myself, you know, for retirement.
Jake
October 25th, 20081:48 pm at
Jake-
I didn’t realize Steph and I shared a common bond. I certainly feel her pain. I don’t know that you and Mike necessarily bring out the annoying traits of the dogs. My theory (at least where Mike is concerned) is that the dogs were subconsciously chosen because of their particular traits that resembled the future owners. It’s strange, however, that Steph and I are both incompatible with the traits of the dogs but compatible with the similar traits of our husbands.
Mike is sure excited about the water heater you’re offering him, and I’m sure he’ll be even more pleased to know that there will be grease reserved for him. Thanks for encouraging his behavior.