We had no choice but to let those fuzzy, wet and slightly stinky dogs crawl into the tiny three-by-three-cabin of our boat. It was tight, it was wet and it was a little bit ridiculous. With the door to the boat cabin slightly ajar, the four dogs (two mine and my husbands, two my parents) crept in gradually, trying to be sneaky, in an effort to avoid the driving rain. And as the water beat down on the fiberglass, my husband and I laughed and rolled our eyes as the dogs curled into the tiny space--squishing us against their wet fur. It was not a particularly beautiful day to start with, but we didn't expect our boat to conk out in the rain a mere 300 yards from the shoreline--the clouds descending ominously and letting loose as the motor sputtered to a stop. Though the weather was unpredictable, our reaction to those sad-eyed mutts was not.I have always been fascinated by the relationship between man and dog, why we love them so passionately, why they return that love unconditionally. As my husband and I approach parenthood (not now but in the next few years or so) we are finding ourselves acting surprisingly parental. We make sacrifices for our dogs--not staying out too late, making sure they're fed right at 6 p.m., putting cozy blankets in their kennels for bed time. We (or my husband would argue, I) let them on the couch for American Idol, trim their nails and kiss their soft faces. That's not even to mention we named them Pete and Henry.
Cesar Milan said:
"Dogs in America get more affection than women in most Third World countries."
He said it not me, but the way we treat our dogs is nothing short of indulgent. We make them our children, that's why I want to explore the intriguing relationship shared by new couples as they approach parenthood. Are they great practice, or are we just delusional? Either way, I'm enjoying the ride.
