Dottie: Narrative

Every child knows how to work the system. Those sweet little faces, quiet voices, big eyes. Almost like a puppy; simply irresistible. My brother, sister and I added the two together to create the ultimate product. A dog.

My siblings and I always wanted a dog, it was the one thing most American Families had and we did not. Therefore we insisted on adding a new member to the family. We tried the "Everyone else has one" Or the occasional "We will take care of it, promise!" But if that wasn't working we went to option C, Morgan (my older sister). Only used for special occasions like this and not very frequently to avoid repetition.

Morgan was the Google queen she could find anything and everything on the internet and write heartfelt letters that my parents just couldn't resist (this was the exact way we got our past cats). My sister Googled and researched until, finally, she found a litter of puppies in the area. It was from a breeder, personally I would prefer to rescue but at age 8 I didn’t think much of it.

The breed was an English setter. Perfect size, not to big, not to small and a bird dog (Pointer) just as my father wanted. She presented her findings to my parents, they immediately fell in love and we, without delay, planned a day to go see the puppies. Although my Dad specifically said you are only looking not buying, we all knew we were getting a new puppy. Luckily, my mother did too.

                                                                       

Once the day had arrived to "look" at the puppies we had only seen in pictures we were thrilled. The family piled in to the car, with the exception of my father, due to work. My mother stopped at pet store to buy a cage and toys for the puppy—but yes, we were only “looking”... 

Once we had arrived at the breeders home we ran straight to the pen of puppies. They were black and white, and white and red. Adorable. About 8 of them rushed to the front of the fence at our approach. Front paws pressed up against the cold metal, yearning our attention. Each of our fingers slipping in between each small diamond shaped hole just to feel there 8 week old fur and wet soft tongues kiss our fingers. Our faces  lit up and when we turned around to see my mother’s reaction; we knew we were in luck as she was just as excited. One of the dogs stood out, she was a small, hyper female that was bounding around the cage. The puppy had a big brownish red dot on her lower back. We couldn’t resist playing with her and we knew she was the one.

As she was separated from her brothers and sisters their cries grew stronger. A mixture of jealously and distress came from each yip. You couldn’t help but want to take them all home, a frown swept across my face. Looking back at all the puppies wondering where each one will end up. If they will ever be taken home. That thought just erased by sounds behind me; my family cooing and calling for our new dog. Ironically the breeder told us they called her Dottie—Which is what my mother and all her siblings call my grandma— So let’s just say the name stuck. Dottie seemed like the happiest best dog ever! Until we started on our way home…

The entire trip home was a chorus of yips and whines coming from the puppy in the back. Definitely a time to bring the headphones!  Obviously upset about leaving her littermates; all I wanted to do was climb in the back to “save” her. Every time I even tried to reach my hand to the back it was swiftly slapped away like a fly.

“Leave her alone, she will keep doing it if you give her the attention”,  my snotty sister hissed at me.

In my head her comment made no sense, she should surely be happy I would even offer to stop the annoying dog. Apparently this offer meant nothing to her, so I eventually gave her a dreadful look, rolled my eyes, and gave up. Then resumed to dream about the wonderful adventures I would have with Dottie. She would love me the most, sleep with me, play with me, and I would make sure  that every person knew she was basically all mine. I was the happiest girl alive.

6 years later…

This dog loves my mother the most. This dog sleeps with my mother. This dog plays  with my mother. My mother makes sure that every person knows that Dottie is basically hers. As luck would have this dog truly enjoys my mother’s companionship more than anyone in the family. We children do all the work only to fall short in the end.