Piper’s Big Decision

I love food. I get really excited when I see Mom going into the kitchen to fill up my bowl. And I get really excited when she walks the bowl over to my eating place. I have to sit before she puts the bowl down. But when she does, I get even more excited.

After giving me my bowl, she usually returns to the kitchen. I’m okay with that. I can still see her. Sometimes she may just go a few feet away. That’s best. I like to keep an eye on her. That’s my job. I’m the dog of the house after all. And I’m a good girl.

It’s my job to protect Mom. Who knows, Lily cat might attack her, or one of those raccoons or squirrels or birds from outside could get in. Or, she could sneeze and I wouldn’t be there to look sorrowful at her. Or, she could fall into the washing machine, or she could be flushed down the drain, or clothes could fall out of the closet and swallow her, or she could…well, you get it. A million things could happen, so I have to be with her all the time to watch over and take care of her.

But today, when I was eating, she went into another room. Just like that. She left. She put my bowl down, petted my head, and left. No good-byes. No, I’ll be right back. She just left. Just like that.

You know what that meant for me? That meant I had to choose between eating my breakfast and looking after Mom. Whew! What a decision. This was big. What to do?

I’m a fast eater, but today I had to eat even faster. I gobbled my food as fast as I could. Then I ran for Mom. She was in the bathroom. “I’m here,” I told her. She patted my head and rubbed my face. And she smiled. She knew I was there to take care of her. That’s my job. After all I’m the dog of the house. And I’m a good girl.