All the Kid Remembers About the Drive is the Pets I’m a horrible mother. I always knew that I wasn’t maternal, and I was right. This is evidenced by my continual failing of my child. When he was 5-6 years-old, he wanted a second mom. Sorry, kid, not gonna happen. He just wanted to keep up with the Joneses anyway. He had a friend with two moms and thought it was cool. The following year, he wanted a sibling – a brother specifically, one year younger so that he could be the big brother. But again, wasn’t gonna happen. So, he acquiesced on his stance against me getting a boyfriend – I was now allowed to, but again, only if it brought him a sibling, specifically a brother. Has hell frozen over? Lastly, he settled on wanting a pet. At first, he wanted a dog. Then he had a taste of how much work it would be to take care of one. I stood firm that I wasn’t going to care for the dog, so he switched to a cat. “Mama, please, just a kitty,” he pleads. I’m only mostly cold-hearted, but I agree a pet might be nice. Our place in California, though, was just too small and now that we’re moving… we’re not allowed pets. "How could you get a place that won't allow pets?!" Mom has failed her child yet again! So, when The Quid looks back at this time – this summer of change and transition, a time many have commented as “once in a lifetime”, “a great adventure”, “fun and exciting”, “life changing”, after 2,400 miles, nine states, and various sites seen along the way, experiences and feelings had, he’s going to remember the cat and dogs we met as the highlight of our drive to Georgia. The reaffirmation of current failings as a parent began in Tucson. We arrived at my friend’s house and The Quid was immediately taken with the golden doodle, Chestnut, who my friend described as “having no boundaries.” Perfect! My kid is mostly lacking in boundaries, too. Or is that a filter? Maybe he lacks a filter. The Quid loved having a fur-buddy to nuzzle him, lick him, and lay around in the heat with him. And when we were out for brunch, my kiddo felt like the big dog brother by “disciplining” – barking commands – at Chestnut even if Chestnut wasn’t doing anything meriting discipline. “Mom, can’t we bring Chestnut with us?” "Hon, I think Chestnut needs a break." The Quid slept late the next day – he’d been fighting his first cold in two years, and long-distance travel isn’t easy on anyone. He slept and slept and slept. My friend’s pets earned their kibble and treats by rotating as his sleep-time snuggle buddies. So much “aaaaaaahhhhhhh” – touching, sentimental was happening that I was sure I was going to hurl. But it really was cute. My animal-loving co-pilot had a hard time saying good-bye to my friend’s gang of furballs. Luckily, though, I was able to dangle another pet-carrot in front to get him through the next drive. Another dog, the husky, Dakota! The Quid starts off slowly with animals, but then, after a few cautious seconds, dives right in, face first, in the fur, into petting, into loving but complaining about being licked. And so it was with Dakota. He loved her two different colored eyes, her hair instead of fur – it’s more hypoallergenic, and that she’s a little pudgy – there’s more of her to love. Half-laying on Dakota, “Mama, can he have a husky? Pppplllleeeeeaaaaassseee. Look how easy she is to take care of, and no allergies.” But again, to pet or not to pet is currently out of my hands. I love that he loves animals, though. It shows that he’s kind, caring, and likely not a psychopath! Now back to how the Quid might remember the long drive of 2021: favorite place visited – Monterey Bay Aquarium; favorite city: New Orleans, (also, best architecture); best part of the trip: it’s all about the pets! Comments are closed.
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AuthorGreat transitioner & media operative seeking a position as a script coordinator, writers' room assistant, or staff writer with a TV drama. I'm also open to related jobs with networks and production companies. Landing an agent would be awesome. Archives
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