I'd been hearing for a few weeks that Tom was getting a puppy. I hadn't seen it - had no idea what it looked like, or what it's temperament would be. I've had my heart set for a long time on a big, but gentle dog -- like a lab or golden retriever -- one large enough to take on walks by myself. I've been told it's a good idea for a single woman to have a large dog for protection. But my mom, my landlord, didn't allow dogs in the apartment, only cats. So, no dog. Just cats. I love cats. So it was ok. A few months before we married, Tom told me he was getting a puppy, I was excited, yet a bit apprehensive. You see, it was his boys' neighbor's dog that had the litter, and I didn't go with him to pick them up on his weekends and had never seen the puppies. Since I had no voice in selecting the puppy, just kept my fingers crossed and hoped. After all, when we married, he would be my dog too. How could I not love any puppy!

On the weekends Tom's boys were visiting, I stayed at my "treehouse" apartment and only went to Tom's house if I was invited. I loved looking out on my garden and watching the squirrels play chase in the trees by my kitchen window. That was my time and I came to look forward to the chance to do "girlie" things. Yes, I missed him, but realized he needed his time with his boys too.

The last Saturday in April, I got a phone call. "Miss Rose, guess what we have"?
I said, "What? Tell me"!
"We have a new puppy, do you want to come see it"?
He had to ask!

When I got there I was greeted by a ball of fur -- black and white with a few brown spots -- with floppy ears and big paws. Tom said he looked like the "RCA dog" because he has a black patch over one eye! All right! Love! His name is Luke.

The cats are getting along better than ever -- they're united against a common cause - the enemy -- Luke! Luke just wants to play, but they don't understand. Well, maybe they do, they don't really act too afraid, more curious than anything, but they're very cautious, and are doing a good job of keeping just out of reach. One day Luke was successful -- Cooper didn't run fast enough and Luke came back in the living room so proud of himself with a mouthful of gray fur. Can't say Cooper was happy, though! We could hardly stop laughing! Luke did it again not long after to L.C. He's learning. Katy and Sy are safe, I suppose. Their hair's not long enough for Luke to get hold of! Sy is getting bold and standing up to Luke (who is growing fast). Sy will just not be bullied even by an animal almost twice his size. the vet said "Border Collie". He's a great dog!

Update
June 27, 1998.   Luke is a handful!  He is very close to being housebroken, knows "sit" and "do you want a treat?" -- that causes great tail-wagging! He will frequently "stay", and we're working on "lie down". Just yesterday, I got home before Tom, and had taken Luke in the back yard to "do his business". He was playing, picking up sticks, chasing birds, doing such puppy things, when he heard Tom's Jeep coming down the  street. Luke stopped, lifted one ear, and ran for the house. By the time Tom was inside, Luke was at the back door waiting for him to come out too. You should have seen Tom smile! I don't think he even smiles that much for me.

One day Luke discovered the TV. Tom was watching "The Discovery Channel" -- a program about Orangutans. Luke stared intently, then went to both sides, and the back to try to find those other animals. It was so funny! Wish you could have seen it.

It didn't take long for Luke's fur to lose the puppy soft silkiness, and become an adult coat. He's a still a handful, and thinks my garden is his. He's my gardener and will transplant anything I put out -- like those rosebushes -- if I don't watch him!
 

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