She Loves You

       -------The Beatles
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah
She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

GOT MILK?  LIAM WITH SOME SNOW FROSTING

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
She would be me.
and you would be Liam.

I now deeply understand the feelings expressed by the author, Caroline Knapp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Knapp  

in her book:

"Pack of Two 

The Intricate-Bond Between People and Dogs"

http://www.doggonegood.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=8283&ParentPage=sale

MY COPY OF "PACK OF TWO"

I did not "get" a lot of what she talked about before I adopted Liam.  I have had the book for many years. It was published in 1999, I bought it soon after and adopted Liam in 2008.  I am a fan of all Ms. Knapp's books, her writing- elegant, honest, and funny with astute observations and brave and sad revelations.
But here I am rereading her book a decade later, knowing its truth for me now.
In the prologue of "Pack of Two, two sentences, non concurrent, now apply to me.

I am sleeping with a dog.

I have fallen in love with my dog.

We adopted Liam 1/1/08.  New Year's Day.  Before that day, I was not a "dog person."  I never owned a dog, or spent much time around dogs.
Oh,  I listened to the dog stories, received the doggie Holiday cards, and watched the Westminster Dog show. I had little understanding of this dog world.  Dog people allow their dogs to sit on the furniture, they kiss their dogs, they talk to them and some pretend to be their dogs talking back to them.
I veered away when encountering a dog and owner on a walk. When visiting friends with dogs I tolerated their dog's attention (barely)

SEARCHING FOR THAT SQUIRREL

After Liam joined our family, the world  was a different place. Now there were three of us.  I understand it all now.
I send Holiday cards with Liam's picture signed from all three of us.  Liam also receives his own cards.
I talk to Liam and pretend I am talking as Liam.
We call ourselves Mom and Dad.
Liam reads with me.
He sits on any and every piece of furniture.

LIAM PERUSING "JUST KIDS"

HIS CHAIR

HIS COUCH

Liam sleeps with Paul in the winter and me in the summer.
I am drawn to anyone who is walking a dog.  I love visiting homes with dogs.

OUTSIDE TOY

I am mesmerized by his play.  By his joy, in a toy. I have taken hundreds of pix.

 TOY MID AIR

WILD EYED PLAY

I am now a dog person. I get it.

In describing the connection that occurs in the moments upon returning home to her dog Lucille, Caroline Knapp says:

"I have had Lucille for close to three years, but moments like that, my heart fills in a way that still strikes me with its novelty and power.  The colors come into sharp focus: attached, connected, joyful, us.  I adore this dog, without apology.  She has changed my life."

I can say the same with a pronoun changed to "he" and a name changed to "Liam."

ON MY  WAY OUT ON GO RED FOR WOMEN DAY 2/4/11

Happy Valentine's Day Liam.
 
Woof, Woof