Teddy's Adventures

This past weekend was a very special weekend.  Our friend Lisa's son Dylan was baptized, and Derek was asked to be the godfather.  It's a very special honor to be asked to be a godfather, and so Derek took off for the weekend to spend time with family and friends, hang out at the beach a little, and become the godfather to a very special little boy. 

Unfortunately, I was not able to accompany him on that trip to New Jersey, as my classes ended today, and I needed to get quite a bit of writing done and all the rest of my assignments turned in so all my hard work would not be wasted.  It would have been awful to fail the classes due to undone assignments.  In all, I typed 51 pages between three papers.  I wish I was exaggerating.  In any case, because I knew that I was not going anywhere this weekend, I agreed to watch a dog for a friend, a beautiful golden named Teddy.  We had such a good weekend, that I figured I'd share.  He made me smile a few times, and I hope that reading about our weekend makes you smile as well. 

Keri and her sister, Tara, dropped Teddy off Wednesday afternoon, and Bailey was excited to have a new playmate.  The cats, however, weren't thrilled, especially when they discovered that Teddy likes to bark at and chase cats.  After a bit of whining and a lot of shadowing, Teddy settled in to his weekend arrangement, discovered the cats, and explored the apartment. 
Actually, Teddy shadowed me all weekend long.  If I got up, he got up.  If I went into the bedroom, so did he.  If I went into the kitchen, so did he.  The first night, after the barking incident, the cats were locked in the bedroom with all of their necessities, and I figured that Teddy could sleep on his bed in the living room where Bailey sleeps.  Teddy didn't agree.  After quite a bit of whining and pawing at the door, I gave up and slept (well, I wouldn't say I slept, persay...) on the couch in the living room.  With my hand draped over the edge and resting on his shoulder.  Because he wouldn't settle unless I was making physical contact with him.  He wouldn't even sleep on his bed.  But don't worry, the bed didn't go to waste, though.  Bailey found it quite comfortable. 

Thursday, I had to go to work, and I was a bit nervous about Teddy being there alone, considering how close he stayed by me, but I came home that afternoon, and everything was fine.  This is when I discovered one of Teddy's favorite things to do when he gets happy and excited.  He grabs one of my shoes (sneakers seem to be his favorite, sut slippers work in a pinch) and run around the apartment in circles as I call after him to "drop it," which he conveniently ignores.  That evening, I took him and Bailey for a ride to my parents', where I learned that 1) Teddy really likes convertibles until you put the roof up and 2) Teddy refuses to poop in my yard.  That's just way too convenient for him.  When we got home, we chilled for a bit, then I brought the cats into the kitchen with all their necessities, put up the gate, and placed Teddy's bed next to our bed so I could sleep. 

Friday, Teddy watched me type papers, mostly, ran around with my shoes, irritated Bailey (apparently the excitement of having a playmate wore off quickly for Bailey; I swear he's like a grumpy old man trapped in a young dog's body), barked at the cats, and laid at my feet.  When I needed a break from typing, Bailey, Teddy, and I went for a nice, long walk.  Teddy walked me, and Bailey tried to tie me up.  It would have been pretty amusing for an onlooker to observe. 

During our nightly walk before bed, Teddy, who still refused to poop in our yard, found the one grassy yard that's not fenced in to do his business.  Bailey, upon seeing this, thought it was a good place as well.  This wouldn't have been bad, except that it was also the only yard with a guy standing out in the driveway.  So, in being polite, I made idle chit chat.  "Yes, it is a really nice night.  Yes, I'm glad it's not raining right now. Oh, it does seem pretty muggy out.  Say, do you happen to have a phone on you with a light so that I can find the crap from these two dogs who just squatted in your yard?  I'd love to pick up the crap all over your yard if only I could find it..."  Perhaps the funniest part of this entire scenario is that right after I finish picking up dog feces with little plastic bags from his yard, the guy asked me if I had a boyfriend.  Because nothing says sexy like picking up dog crap.  Anyway, when Teddy and I went to bed, he laid down in his bed, but I woke up Saturday morning to find him up on the bed with me in Derek's spot. 

Saturday between papers, Teddy, Bailey and I went to the dog park, where they both had fun running around with the other dogs.  I wish I had remembered to bring my camera.  I could have gotten some pretty good shots.  I wish we could have stayed longer, but those papers were calling for me.  We spent the remainder of the day/evening chilling in the living room while I typed papers and Teddy slept at my feet, wedged in between the couches, which, for some strange reason, was his favorite spot.  That night, Teddy didn't even pretend that he was going to sleep on the floor.  As soon as we went into the bedroom for the night, he hopped right up onto the bed.  It was pretty funny, actually. 
Sunday was just another boring, paper-filled day.  Teddy spent a lot of the day wedged between our couches or following me around.  He was not too happy that I put the gate up, as he could no longer attempt to follow me into the bathroom and sit by the door waiting for me to come out.  I took a bit of a break to go for a walk with the dogs, but did not have time to take them for a ride.  Then, Sean came and took Teddy for the rest of Keri's vacation. 

Some things I learned and/or realized this weekend:

• I am grateful that Bailey is so small and compact and quiet.
• If everyone could be as happy as Teddy, the world would be a better place. 
• The cats may never forgive me.  Mischa took all night to come out, and is still hiding today.
• A little love and comfort goes a long way.
• No matter how friendly and gentle a dog is, fabric toys are no match for a big dog.  (He tore the stuffing out of his toy within minutes of having it).
• Even a playful dog like Bailey has limits as to how long he's going to tolerate a house guest.
• The grass always does seem to be greener on the other side.  It was a battle to get each dog to eat his own food. 

In short, we had a greally good weekend.  I missed having Teddy around after he left, even though he was too big for this little place.  I hope, though, that Keri keeps me in mind next time she goes away.  I wouldn't mind watching Teddy again.  It's nice to have a big dog for a little bit, knowing that I can give him back.  ;)