Ramone, My Hero

It was only a matter of time before a Ramone-inspired post showed its face. Ramone is my Beagley-Terrier dog that has filled my heart with love and satisfaction. He'll be two in September (September 11th to be exact) and he has been in our lives for a little under a year. As he grows, his space in my heart grows and I continue to be amazed at how lucky I am.

Things weren't always so rosy. After two weeks, I was ready to drop his whiny, anxious, nervous, fear-filled hind back to the Humane Society where we got him. I remember Joe telling me that I wasn't being fair. In my mind, the dog wasn't being fair! Didn't he realize that a broom was only a cleaning implement and wasn't used for doggie torture? Did he not understand that us humans had to leave the house every once in a while to live our lives and he couldn't always whine at the door for hours? Did he have to follow me every time I went to the bathroom? Pssshaw!

We enrolled him in doggie obedience classes at a place called Happy-Go-Lucky. Although uncomfortable and tense at times, this was the best decision we ever made for him. We all learned so much! I would certainly recommend classes to anyone who is struggling with their dog.

Ramone amazes me more and more every day. Last weekend, we went to the Sandy River Delta and he learned how to swim (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Qx88On8gI 3:00-5:20 is the best part!). This weekend, I am taking him on his first ever camping trip. There are some things that worry me, but I know that he is a good boy, listens well, does not bark, and will behave himself to the best of his abilities. Or so I hope.

What I love most about Ramone is his personality and how at any given moment, he reminds me of a wide variety of animals. While learning to swim, he was a seal. While riding in the car and smelling all the smells through the window, he is a bunny wiggling its nose. While being extra playful with his dad, he is a mongoose that is hunting snakes. When being curious and at many other times, he is a cat who likes to tilt his head and stretch his body.

To us, Ramone is like our child. We shower him with love, care, exercise, food, and toys. I truly think of him as my child, which can be a problem when conversing with people who actually have children. They might say "Oh Madison is at that age where she will get into anything, so we have to have the baby gate up at all times" and I respond "Oh that's how Ramone used to be but he grew out of it and now I don't even need the baby gate".

Although I do want another dog, I don't want to upset the wonderful balance that life with Ramone has created. I would never want him to feel unimportant or left out due to another dog. For the time being, I think things can stay how they are and Ramone can keep his spot in both our hearts and on the bed, directly between us.