Most people who have pets have been accused of anthropomorphizing. Many people think of their pets as people. I don't. My dogs are not my children. They are my dogs. They are my family, but they are not human. Still, sometimes, my dogs remind me of some very human interactions. My dogs always behave as dogs, but I sometimes infer meanings that are more human than canine. Like when I sometimes see Atticus as a bad boyfriend that I will never break up with.
No one else wanted Atticus. He was abandoned in his youth, and then two families broke up with him before I met him. Some people are single for a really good reason, and when your boyfriend can't maintain a relationship, it may be him, not everyone else. BUT, the people who were in relationships with Atticus before I had nothing but sweet things to say about him. Things didn't work out, but they still thought he was a sweet boy.
Atticus is pretty selfish. He totally hogs the bed, and the covers, and while he regularly thinks his needs should be met immediately, my needs often go unrecognized. He generally doesn't care where I want to go. When he catches a scent, that's all there is in the world. My desire to enjoy a workout walk in the woods or a stroll in the neighborhood aren't considered as he attempts to drag me along the scent route. I have to yell, and snap him out of his sole focus - which wasn't me - to get him to remember that we are supposed to be walking TOGETHER, not just going where he wants to go. A selfish boyfriend is not your best boyfriend.
Atticus is kind of possessive. It's not jealousy, it's more like neediness. He needs to be closest to me. There's no issue with me holding Jason's hand, or rubbing my Luna's ears, or petting sweet Foster Dog, but Atticus wants to be closest to me while I'm doing any of that. And he needs me to remember that he is right there. Every now and then, he pats me with his paw just to make sure I acknowledge his presence. A possessive, needy boyfriend can be a lot of work.
Atticus lies. He'll tell me he needs to go outside, that he is desperate to go potty, but once we're out there, he never pees. He just wants to eat acorn tops and sticks. He lies. He lies every day.
While at home, Atticus loves me deeply. There is nothing more important to him than being where I am. He hangs on every word I say, and looks at me with nothing but adoration. When we're out in public, it's as if I don't exist. He is only interested in the scents of the world, and it is as if he is deaf to my voice. He can hear birds and cars and a squirrel 100 yards away, but my voice saying, "Attie, we're going this way."???? Not a word of it. I am invisible in nearly every way. Oh, and if he's in the mood to play some kind of game involving a tennis ball? I am nothing. Jason is everything. His Soul Brother Jason is all for fun. Me? I'm all for need.
He sounds like the absolute worst boyfriend, and one I need to break up with right now, but I will never ever break up with him. Unlike some boyfriends, Atticus has worked to transform himself in the two years we've been together, and some of the ways he loves me, you just can't train.
When Atticus and I first met, he was a barroom brawler. He couldn't get along with anyone. Now, he lives with two other dogs, and everyone he meets comments on how sweet he is in every situation.
While Atticus is still fairly selfish, two years ago, his food needs were the only needs that mattered, and if he was hungry, it didn't matter what was on the counter, or in the garbage, it was his. Within weeks of our relationship's start, Atticus looked to me to meet his nutritional needs, and he didn't trash the place looking for food.
Atticus never cares what's on TV. Whatever I want to watch, he wants to watch, and with whatever volume and closed captioning too. He really doesn't even watch TV. He just wants to be cuddled up with me when I want to watch it.
Atticus sweetly shows thankfulness for the little things I do for him. When I use a towel to dry him after a jaunt in the rain, he gently leans on me, and lowers his head, and his soul tells me thank you for the kindness.
Atticus doesn't see me as having flaws. He embraces all of me. When I express guilt about feeling lazy and not wanting to do the dishes, he says, "That's great, Lady! It's time to put your feet up. I'll be lazy with you!" When I am feeling frustrated because my perfectionist ways are challenging me, Atticus looks at me, wags his tail, and walks over to me. His eyes tell me, "You're doing great, Lady! You've got this! I will help you. I will sit right here and cheer you on!"
Atticus and I still have to work on our relationship. He may not possess the traits to be the best boyfriend, but I will never ever break up with him. My commitment to him is permanent. He is my dog. He is my responsibility. He is my family. We are forever.
