But I’m me, Zac Joseph Doodle. I love having a lot of names, especially when my people say them in baby-talk and make up funny combinations and get me happy.
I’m handsome, my people tell me. I don’t care. Life smells too good to have to be handsome.
My tister, Lucy Doodle, is not here now. I feel that in every single moment of every single moment. It was sad and they cried. I just miss her.
But I’m becoming a big boy now. Even though I am seven entire years old, my tister, Lucy, ran everything, my life and my people’s lives, too. Now I am learning how to be the people’s only pet, how to pay more attention to them, especially if they seem sad.
Lucy was happy and blond and bright. I am tall and dark and busy. I like smelling things, looking for bunnies to imagine chasing, barking at the bad dogs next door. I go to daycare and have friends but mostly I like running around and playing by myself and getting good people-touches when I want them.
I don’t play with the people like Lucy. I’m doing my own thing. But I wag really good, on command and in funny positions. I love my people very much. I love laying all over them and sleeping and snoring like an old man.
Even though I can’t become blond, I am willing to learn how to be a bigger and more grown up boy-dog. My people said something about “new tricks”, being brave, being alone and bunches of other things. I don’t understand a lot of what they say, but I love them very much. They smell so good and they are my pack.
I’m doing new things now that I am the big Boy-Boy (another funny name they call me!). I am going on more errands with the people, because that’s important to do and they need me. I had my first hair cut without Lucy being there. It was scary but now I am even more shiny and handsome! I am a good big boy in the house when I am alone, except once.
I am here to serve.
Do I have a message?
Things change all the time.
Keep smelling, keep looking for the bunnies. You can change and grow up, too! You can go on more errands and get more touches from the people you love.
Well, for a shy guy, I said a lot.