Casper-less

We had a dog for a week. Actually, more than a week. Nine nights, so I guess that makes it more like ten days. His name is Casper and he is our nephdog (that's the name we came up with for our relationship to him). He is a Maltese and belongs to our good friends Brooke and Chad whose departure to Mexico left us figuring out how to manage the little prince in a one-bedroom apartment without driving our neighbors or ourselves crazy. And we did it! And with every bit of ease you wouldn't have thought possible.

And now we miss him, loads.

I find myself sometimes unconsciously looking for him around the apartment, considering he found every possible hiding spot in the place. His favorite was under the bed. And that was definitely not Cliff's favorite, as it was almost impossible to get him from under there even to go outside for a walk.

And while we both miss him, I think I might miss him a little bit more. Because, when I wasn't at VBS or out running errands, I was here. And with Casper here, I wasn't by myself. I admittedly talk to animals, so it was like having another person around. Only, the conversation was a little one-sided. Except, of course, when I'd ask him the simple question "Who is that?" and he'd respond with a fit of barking. That was fun.

Oh and the jingle-jangle of his little collar. And his excited twirly dance. And his stinky breath. And his good morning whine. And his tug-of-war growl. And his pouncing.

I'm getting a little nostalgic.