Who would have ever thought that they’d see me out walking a dog, carrying around a plastic sack to pick up poop from people’s yards? Or sleeping with a dog who prefers to sleep with its nose right smack in my ass? Or waking up at 6 to a dog yelping and howling to be fed? Well, over the last few months, I’ve had no choice but to care for roommate Sarah’s dog fairly regularly. Nick and Lauren have done the same, probably even moreso than me, but the fact that I have always been known as anti-pet, cowering away from playful dogs and throwing cats off my lap, is what makes the situation so amusing.
This weekend has been no exception. Sarah left Roscoe to our care while she traveled with Walsh to South Dakota. Roscoe has spent every waking minute following me around, especially while we eat. Lauren and I were adventurous and ordered take-out sushi last night and came back to the house to eat while watching the Twins game. Roscoe wanted that raw fish so bad, but all we’d feed him were little scraps of pickled ginger and wasabi. Roscoe was desperate enough for food that he gobbled up that wasabi like nothing.
Later, we went to bed. I closed the door to the room as I wanted some peace while I slept. But somehow, when I woke up, there was Roscoe cuddled up next to me. The second I sat up, Roscoe raced behind me and took over the pillow, and nothing could make him budge. I resoted to laying on top of him, using him as a pillow. Then, right on cue at 6am, Roscoe pounced out of bed and began howling for food. Normally Sarah would feed him on her way to work, but it was left to me. The only way to quiet him down is to get up and feed him, so even on Saturday morning I was up and at it bright and early. Roscoe is well-trained and knows not to eat until you give him the code word, which is a loud, high-pitched girlie “Frreeeeeeeeee!!!!”
I slept for a while longer, and at 10 was up and ready to start the day. Roscoe was practically crying to go for a walk. We teased him a few times, going towards his leash or even saying “walk.” Roscoe whimpered and wailed until we finally leashed him up and headed to the streets of Minneapolis. Little kids stopped to pet him and he sniffed out every last hydrant and tree, searching for dogs who had marked their territories. Yes, it was a glorious morning for Roscoe.
Yes, Roscoe and I are quite the pair. Hell, we’re even having a joint birthday party together August 29. Who knows what crazy adventures we’ll have next? Lauren is looking very forward to the day she can buy a dog of her own. I have always been very hesitant, but at least now I know I could be trusted to take care of one… as long as its small and doesn’t leap up on me.
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