God is dog spelled backwards

I needed exercise, so I set my intention to walk and run on the local trail. I loaded my dogs in the car and headed for the Paulinskill Trail with a goal to walk at least a mile…or more if I had the gumption.

Upon returning from our walk, I unlocked the car, buckled the dogs in, and misplaced my car keys. If I had a lick of common sense, (pun intended) I would have realized my keys weren’t lost, they were somewhere in the car. But I didn’t realize it. Panic struck and my reptilian brain took over, making me illogical and stupid. After a hasty look around the car seat, I convinced myself I’d dropped them along the one-mile trail. Duh.

My tired pups weren’t up for a second walk and although I was spent, I had to take a second dash.

I left the car door propped open due to the heat, gave the dogs water, and then ran the trail as if I was an Olympic runner with my tail on fire. My keys were gone, or so I thought. I returned to the car and said prayer.

Sky moved her bottom, revealing my keys under her furry tush. I could almost hear her laughing at me. I got a longer run than I bargained for.

Dog Parents

At seventeen, I had the audacity to make fun of the old woman who I had nicknamed, Crazy Poodle Lady. She frequented the clothing store I worked at. For you youngsters, Petco didn’t exist in the 70s. The lady and her matching pup were a strange sight in the 70s, when no one dare dress dogs.

Every time she shopped, her white poodle fashionista wore the finest clothing, strutting around the store with painted nails and fancy ensemble, and sometimes a hat which matched her owner. The woman cooed at little Binky Boo, talking to her as if she were a person.

On rainy days, Binky Boo and Crazy Poodle lady would be decked out in a matching yellow slicker and boot sets. I thought the lady and her dog were the most ridiculous thing I’d ever seen.

She never knew that I made fun of her, but God was watching me taking notes.

After my child-bearing years were gone, I needed a fur baby. My husband and I purchased a sweet little fur ball Cockapoo and we fell in love with her. Sky’s raisin eyes, fluffy fur, and stubby tail would wiggle with delight at any attention or food we’d give her. We were smitten.

As new pet parents, we visited PetSmart and shopped the fine array of dog clothing and fancy collars. .I selected a pink sweater with a heart on the back of it. I rifled through dog coats deciding which one to buy her. Then I stopped dead in my tracks. I had become the Crazy Poodle Lady.

We looked at each other in mock horror. “Oh my gosh. We’ve become dog crazy people”

When your dog has better clothing than you do, when you go to the store just for treats, when your dog gets a massage, you too may have crossed over to the other side. I’ll see you there.

Karma has four legs and a tail and it bit me in the tush. I deserved that bite for being snappy teen.