Dog Lovers

Blogging Friends.... I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude toward all of you for your comments on the other day's post. Wow. What an amazingly loving accepting community Blogville is!!

I also wanted to elaborate on something. I was born a "cranio baby". I emerged from my mother that way. But this medical condition was long-ago surgically repaired!! I do not suffer from craniosynostosis anymore!! Just learning disabilities and premature short-term memory loss. I have also since thought up twain other reasons to tout a "terrible privilege" regarding being born different. One I forgot. The other, I thought of just yesterday!! Oops. Due to my "developmental delays", I have a younger-than-"normal" brain. It is "elementary" as I always tell people. Because of this, I am young at heart. Thus, I can entertain and play well with children, as the "favorite" one!! That is a terrible privilege. Plus. 28 years ago, when I was facing a third scull operation, my poor Dad complained to somebody at work about our problems. Bemoaned them, most likely!! This very bold man simply said: "Take your daughter to church. She will be prayed for. She'll be healed!!" My parents did. I was prayed over. And I no longer needed that third scull operation!! A miracle performed. Just like that!! Then, my parents asked the Lord into their hearts. Which was another miracle. And we have been Christians ever since!! All because of my craniosynostosis. That is a terrible privilege. The ultimate terrible privilege.

Some people are naturals at certain things. And it requires little, if not zero, effort. As though they were born to be that way. Like an actor's theatrical skills. A mother's maternal instincts. Or an author's writing. And some people can also be natural-born dog lovers. I was!! As a little girl growing up in this busy city, we would be walking to Fred Meyer's, for instance, and there, perched on some outside bench, is somebody with his/her canine. Ooooh!! Immediately, my little hands touched the beautiful four legged creature. Against Mom's wishes!! After all, some canines are "mean" and will "bite". I should always "ask his owner" if it is okay. Those were valid reasons. And very good rules!! But I am a rebel. And I love canines!! What can I say? My nearly eight-month old niece is--like me--a natural-born dog lover!! It's so adorable!! Initially, Rose was curious about the baby. A new friend!! Oh boy!! Rose seemingly thought. My canine's first encounter with our niece was sniffing her tiny feet. And those bouncing, happy limbs bopped Rose's ebony nose!! Whoops!! Not that this deterred my crazy girl!! Nope!! Because, the other day I was cuddling with our sweet chubby-as-a-cherubim baby, while sitting in a comfortable red chair. And miss "Jealousy, thy name is Rose" decided to see us!! She balanced her front legs upon the chair. And was face-to-face with my niece. Nose-to-nose!! Sheer delight in her voice, my niece giggled!! It was cute!! Now didn't Rose just make her entire week!! Then, yesterday, we baby-sat my niece for a few hours!! She is crawling now, getting around quite independently. Already!! My niece crawled her way toward where Rose was sleeping. I watched closely, while sitting on our great room floor. Rose will start awake should the baby touch her!! And, of course, she grabbed my mutt's tail!! Bad idea. Never touch Rose's tail. She hates that, for reasons beyond my comprehension!! Sometimes, when I'm feeling like a pain-in-the-butt, I will gently grab it. What happens? Rose's head whips around in a rapid motion, as though she is ready to attack me!! Well. Serves me right for being a pain-in-the-butt!! So. I snatched up our niece and lifted her onto my lap. Away from Rose's tail!! My little girl seemed reluctant to meet-and-greet with the baby. At first!! So Rose walked away. But I encouraged her!! And she obeyed!! I reached my hand toward Rose's velvet-soft fur. And.... My niece instantaneously followed suit!! What a bright girl!! Then, my nearly eight-month old niece giggled with delight.