This is my dog.
Her name is Scarlette. Yup, spelt like that too, thanks to Tony. (Scarlette. Hours later, after we named her, we realised we should have saved that name for a baby, and named the dog Violet instead, to fit in with Purple life we were building..)
I suppose she should get a pseudonym, everyone else here does. But I couldn’t think of an appropriate one other than ‘That Bloody Dog’, and that doesn’t seem every nice. So we’ll go with her real name and hope no one takes legal action.
Tony and I, we referred to her as our ‘practise baby’. If we could raise a dog OK, then we were fine to have kids.
Maybe that’s why I freaked out so much when I found out I was pregnant. This dog was chronically, atrociously misbehaved. What the hell were we going to do with a child?
Tony and I, we bought Scarlette just days after we moved into the Purple House. As a tiny puppy, we fed her and cared for her and walked her.
Walking. When I was pregnant, the first time around, I walked every day, for hours, a kilometre or two, dog by my side.
And then I had kids. And the dog.. well.. suffice to say, I think, that she became Tony’s dog, more than mine.
Scarlette and Tony hung out in their garage at the back of the house. When Tony went out onto the street to talk to the neighbours, Scarlette came too.
We never worried about her running off. A call of her name and she’d be back. A few times, she was inadvertently locked outside our back gate for hours. And she sat, patiently, waiting to be let back in.
Why would she want to go anywhere, when she had it so good here?
Let’s face it, I’m moving to a rental. Protection aside, a dog is a pain in the butt, and it would much easier to move without her. My emotional ties to anything except my kids at the moment are more than minimal.
But.. hey, good dogs can be hard to find. And now that’s she’s grown up a bit, she’s a damn good dog. She has her bad habits- pulling on the lead being just the beginning…
But the Bump, she quite often flops on Scarlette in the backyard like the dog is a pillow. And Chop and Scarlette, they run for hours, chasing each other round and round…
Maybe she’s not my dog now, so much as the Chop’s dog. And goodness knows, all boys need a dog. Especially boys without a daddy.
When my neighbours cut Tony down, when they were performing the CPR…. Scarlette didn’t leave Tony’s side for a second, not until the paramedics got there and they had to lock her up. She stayed with Tony, as they tried to revive him. Licking his face, nuzzling him.. trying to wake him up.
She stayed with him, when I couldn’t. And, as stupid as it sounds to be saying this about a dog- I’ll forever be grateful to her for that.
And so that’s why… when we leave our Purple Life behind, in a week and a bit, to start a new one….
Scarlette, our dog? She’s coming too.
{ 51 comments… read them below or add one }
LOL! you champion, that's such a cute quote. Lilo and Stitch FTW. Good on you, it's so good for the kidlets to have a pet, especially during such a rough period of change in their little egocentric worlds. I think she'll be a good friend to you too, just quietly
take care xox
Of course Scarlette should go – I read somewhere – "every boy needs a dog, and a mother wise enough to give him one"
Hope the move goes as well as it can, and taking the wonderful Scarlette – as if you could really leave her behind … cause as you say, the Chop is now her master and every boy needs his dog. xxx
Dogs is important!!!!
They are the most loyal creature and also the most accepting. They ask nothing and give everything. You will enjoy Scarlette again. She's part of your family.
Safe move and peace in familiar surrounds. X
"Like"
I love pets. Not as much dogs as cats, but I still love them. I've often said that when I have kids if for some reason my new baby is allergic to my cats, I'll have to find a good home for the baby.
Glad you're taking her along, and hoping she'll being you some happiness.
love and peace,
Marianna
Scarlette is so beautiful, I am glad to hear that you are able to take her with you. When Andrew and I named our cat, Hailey, I regretted it too, wishing that I would have saved that name for a daughter – although, when I tell my daughter that, she exclaims that she is so glad that we didn't name her Hailey!
I follow your blog always Lori, but this just made me cry! I'm so glad you're taking her with you. She might not be a person, but she will love you unconditionally, and always give as long as she can.
Excellent.
Rental, plus country town and dog should be an easier combination than finding a rental with a dog in the city. Especially if you have been a home owner.
Scarlette reminds me of my (late) dog Georgia, who had my whole heart and then some. My ex and I named her Georgia because the first time she made any noise in our presence, it was when "Georgia On My Mind" started playing on the radio. Glad Scarlette is staying with you. She sounds like family.
Gotta love that supportiveness in anyone. I'm glad Chop has a chum.
I am glad.
It is fantastic news that she is coming with you, and Chop and Bump will love playing with her I am sure.
Good luck with your move xx
PS – one of our dogs is a staffy too, and anytime someone here is sick or hurt, she gets very upset and tries to work out a way to do something too
I'm so happy to hear it! My son loves to use our two dogs as a pillow too! He also gets into this trance likes state when he strokes their ears, it's like a relaxing drug to him. She'll be there for your Chop:)
You're right – good dogs are hard to find, and she does sound like a good one. I'm glad you're able to take her with you – I imagine she'll be a comfort to you and the kids. Thinking of you today.
I'm so glad you're taking Scarlette with you. I'm a bit soppy about certain dogs – I strongly believe that the right dog can help a family get back on its feet – mine certainly has!
http://autism-somethoughts.blogspot.com/2010/06/claude.html
Good luck with your move, Lori xxxxx
Life is never the same without the bloody dog. Bloodu relieved you are all staying together.
Oh, she's coming alright. I reckon you'd have Buckleys of leaving her behind. Look at that little face!! x
Your fur baby will multiply the love in your house ten-fold. Just sit and watch Chop and Bump play with Scarlette – it will warm you heart (I hope!)
So glad your girl is going with you. She needs you.
xxxxxx
Scarlette looks like a champion dog ( Staffys usually are! ). And also ? " Lilo and Stitch " rocks – my sister and i say that line to each other all the time…
I walk a couple of staffies for a friend. Dreadful on the lead but lovely lovely dogs. All families need a pet. I'm so pleased she stays with you xxx
At first i was reading this thinking you were going to ask for someone to take your dog.
I was falling in love with your dog, and screaming "Take her with you! Screw the rental, she's worth it! She's your baby too!"
I am so freaking glad you're taking her with you.
Oh she is such a loyal and gorgeous dog, I'm glad you are keeping her as she is a part of your family as much as your kids are too. I hope she settles well with the kids too. I'm glad you are feeling better, it shows in your beautiful writing that you are making steps for your new life.
hugs Adalita
Scarlette's earned her place in the family…
Lovely!
Good on you you'r taking the dog along.
My boys would need a dog too.
That made me want to cry hearing how loyal she was at such a terrible time! Gorgeous dog, so glad your taking her. She is definitely part of the family!
Hope the move goes smoothly and love and all the good stuff shines on your new life xx
What a lovely post. Scarlette sounds like a sweetheart. Certainly cheeky, but a sweetheart. x
Oh that's love. It's true every boy needs a dog. x
Nawwwwww….so happy that bloody dog is going to move with you,she looks beautiful.
A special friend with a special bond. At least she doesn't talk back!
Oh as I was reading that I thought you were going to rehome her, I'm so glad she gets to move to a new life with you guys xx
What a good, and sooo gorgeous dog. I am glad your kids have her, and in time I think you'll be glad you kept her too. Good dogs can be hard to find. And she was good to Tony, right to the end.
Oh phew, so glad 'That Bloody Dog' will stay with you. Speaking of names we had two goats when we got married (our practise babies). We named them Ollie and Nelly. And then when we had children I was grumpy we didn't call the girl goat Daisy, as we first thought, because Nelly would be a great girls' name. And with three girls we were running out names! Good luck with the move Lori xx
Beautiful, Lori. So glad you can take her with you. x
Oh she's so cute! So pleased she gets to go too.
L
Oh man I was wondering where you were going with that. I was poised ready to call you to say I'll take her … so glad I don't have to, because I don't have your number
I love the word Ohana – and am very glad noone gets left behind. xxx
I'm so glad to hear you're taking your furbaby with you. Yes, dogs can be an absolute PITA, but no more so than humans – and she's so beautiful.
I hope the move goes smoothly for you and that it helps to heal your heart just a teensy bit more.
Also just wanted to say that I'm still here, reading every post, I just never know what to say. Everything I write just seems to look wrong & pointless on the screen. But there isn't a single day that goes by that I don't think of you and send love and thoughts your way.
Looking forward to meeting you from afar on the weekend xx
Your ending quote says it all… We left our cats in Canada when we moved to Australia a year and a half ago and we all still miss them terribly…
Dogs are family. Map Guy and I use the Ohana quote all the time, I love it.
Scarlette is beautiful
oh my..that looks like a lovely dog..
and she sounds good too, indeed.
i am glad you don't (have to) give her away..
x
That's awesome. I think it's great that you let the kids keep the dog.
She is a lovely shade of chocolate isnt she? PS i found the easter egg…
Staffy's are beautiful! she is a lovely colour
She is gorgeous.
Love this! Seriously brought tears to my eyes!
The last few lines and photo done it! :p
That bloody *awesome* dog x
I'm with Annie, thought you were going to tell us how beautiful she was and that you needed a loving home. So glad to hear she's staying with you. x
You need to take your Staffy. xx