Molly the Babysitter

I will admit, it has been a bit of an adjustment becoming a "dog" family. Molly is huge and she can't help but smell somewhat like a dog, even when she's clean. Chancho was at first afraid he'd made a huge mistake in talking me into a dog, but I think (I hope) he is coming around. As I mentioned previously, I have never been very interested in animals. I have always felt that you should not be cruel to an animal. That certainly isn't right. And I don't really like anything dirty or smelly close to me (I tried vacuuming some hair off of Molly the other day with my Dust Buster. She allowed it but it didn't do much so I tried a to get out my Dyson and use a hose. She thought that was a bit absurd and quickly sauntered outside). Anyway, other than that, I really don't have strong feelings about animals. But since getting Molly I have been particularly interested in learning more about the significance of animals and their spirits and specifically about the beasts that John mentions in Revelations. I read an interesting article that spoke a little of this. Maggie, do you have any more info on this for me? You are my new scriptoral advisor!

Marlin K. Jensen (good friend of my parents, father of my current bishop, and General Authority) gave a talk on the manner of happiness and he had a section about animals. He said, " Nephi also records, 'We began to raise flocks, and herds, and animals of every kind.' This is an element of a happy life to which many will readily relate. Animals—be they horses, cats, dogs, hamsters, or turtles—touch us deeply and promote our emotional well-being. Given affection and care, they return affection and care generously and consistently. People whose lives include relationships with animals are usually happier. For me at least, heaven will not be heaven unless the animal kingdom is part of God’s kingdom."

So, I'm trying to give this my best shot and if it doesn't work out to have an animal in our family it is certainly due to us and not this particular animal! I feel that Molly has a very noble spirit and I am glad to have her in our home, even if it takes some adjusting and a Glade Plug-In. (Okay, serious question...what is your favorite kind of scent that I could get to put in my house? Meg, didn't you used to get something awesome from Pier 1 or something?)

I recently found out that not only is our Molly a champion herself but of a litter of 8 puppies, every single one went on to be a champion and of her two litters of single puppies, they each will most likely be champions as well. Her bloodlines and character are very strong. One member of our family decided tonight that he no longer likes Molly. Why is this? She has learned that when a child is told to go to bed, he is supposed to go to bed! I kept laughing because Loumy was in bed (across the hall from my room). Molly was in the front room lying down on her bed. Loumy kept turning on the light and playing. Each time he did, Molly would slowly get up and plod over to his door. She would then softly hit it with her paw, as if telling him, "You are supposed to be sleeping in there." Once he turned out the light, she would slowly haul herself back to her bed. A few minutes later I heard Loumy yell, "Mom! I don't like dogs anymore!" "Why not?" I called back. "Molly won't let me get another drink." Sure enough, she was just standing at his door because he was trying to come out. Loumy had already had a drink and gone to the bathroom and I'd told him not to get out again. He thought he could outwit his disabled Mom. But Molly knew better. It was late and the house was entirely dark. This little child needed to be safe in his bed and she wanted to make sure of it. All she did was stand there. If he had walked past her, I'm sure she would have just followed him to make sure he was safe and went back to bed, but finally he quit trying to get out and went to sleep.

Earlier I had allowed String Cheese and Deedle to fall asleep by me on my bed. They were feeling a bit neglected from me staying in bed all day so I let them. I heard Molly pacing in and out of their room. I finally called down and asked Chancho to put the sleeping girls in their beds so that Molly could get some rest. Once she was able to come in and see that they were in their safe places for the night, she, too, was able to sleep.