Time ticked by slowly. Too slowly.
She could hardly stand the wait.
She felt that he would arrive soon. To pass the time, her mind focused on her need. Her strong need to see him. Her burning desire. Her entire body trembled at the thought. The anticipation that he would be here any minute now. She knew that when he entered the door, he would say hello. His face would light up. He would call her sweet names. He would touch her. He would satisfy all her wishes. She needed more. Always more.
Was she obsessed? Depends on your definition of obsessed. But, yes. She was obsessed. Obsessed with him. Obsessed with getting what she wanted. Obsessed with counting on him to deliver. She could always count on him.
Beginning of an erotic romance novel?
No.
Description of the emotional tension during our dog-sitting experiences.
Because we are currently dogless, Rob and I sometimes keep our daughter’s rescued pitbull mix Sailor. Sailor has been part of our family for about 8 years. We know her well. We see Sailor a lot. Sailor is a sweetie of a dog with a big personality. She is also needy. Very needy.
It is unusual for Rob & I to be without pets. Since childhood, each of us, individually and collectively, has had a pet, probably about 95% of the time. We are in a momentary pet lull while we rearrange some things within our lives. But, we are happy to help our kids out if they need assistance with their own furries from time to time.
I often think about pets, and how they fit into our lives. How we care for them, cherish them, and love them. How, in turn, they love us back. Our granddog Sailor has a huge soft spot for Rob, and he for her. She definitely has a thing for Rob. As I said, she’s a needy girl. And she wants Rob to be the one who tends to her every need. Of course, she will accept food, go on a walk, play, sit on the sofa, etc., with anyone who will give her the time of day. But she clearly loves Rob, and she gravitates towards him. The feeling is mutual. Rob loves Sailor dearly. Not saying I don’t. Just saying they have a special bond.
In my experience, most, if not all, of our pets have always had a favorite human. The person they were most drawn to. The one they clearly respected and counted on. The one they felt a connection with. The Alpha they looked up to. Our pets were happy and content to interact with all family members, but that one special human really energized them and made them feel safe. Different pets had different favorites.
There’s nothing like being The Chosen One. The person that the pup gravitates towards. The person that the cat wants to snuggle. The person that the pet seeks above others. Even if I’d rather not be drooled on, I can’t help but feel a measure of pride, a level of satisfaction, a hint of validation, and a feeling of tenderness when an animal puts their trust in me. When they choose me and me alone.
More fulfilling than human connection? I wouldn’t go that far. It’s a different type of connection. If you’ve ever interacted with pets, you might say it’s powerful, very powerful. A pet will have complete confidence in their human, putting them on a pedestal. It’s hard for a person to live up to the standard, trying to be as great as their pet thinks they are.
Even if the pet waffles between people, no clear favorite, I feel a tiny bit of excitement when it’s my turn to be in the spotlight. When the pet perks up and showers me with their attention. I feel that rush of joy, too, when I meet someone else’s pet, and the pet zeros in on me. When it approaches and acknowledges me, rubs my leg, or attempts to sit on my lap. When the four-legged darling targets me and says, “You. I want You. You are my people.” I feel the warmth and delight of being selected. I will always engage. Those eyes. I mean, those eyes. You had me at sniff. Or, you had me at mew. That’s ok, the rest of y’all go on to dinner, I’m just gonna sit here for a while getting love kisses.
I understand that animals will interact with me when they want something, such as food. But, when they start to approach just to be with me, to nuzzle, to hang out, to snuggle--man, that is gold. Pure gold. I love it. It warms my heart when someone else’s dog seeks me out and showers me with attention. I get a happy high when a cat that doesn’t know me well chooses me, sits on my lap, and starts the purr engine. Talk about a feel-good, comforting moment.
Have you felt a bond with a canine or feline companion? Or any other resident of the Animal Kingdom? Have you welcomed the affection of a pet, yours or someone else’s? Have you ever become The Chosen One?
I recently spent time at the apartment where one of my daughters shares multiple cats. After initial hesitation, the cats finally got comfortable having me in their presence. I wasn’t there long enough to make a lasting impression, but the cats started to sit with me, rub me, and look for me. Even Franklin---who used to live with us and now suffers with confusion and a lingering grudge about having been uprooted and moved---even he began to let me offer affections. Given a little more time, he might have softened towards me and renewed our bonded caring relationship. Maybe we’ll get a chance to find out one day. One can hope.
Perhaps it’s just me. But, when my pet or someone else’s pet engages with me, making a fuss, doting on me, I feel like the kid who is picked first on the playground. They want me on their team! I am somebody! Because, we all know that animals KNOW. They have a sixth sense when it comes to judging people, sniffing out character, picking the good ones. They know who is worthy. Or, at least that’s what I’ve often heard.
Awwww, pets. As far as I’m concerned, we need 'em as much as they need us. Maybe more.
I love this, Gwen. I think you are absolutely right that animals know good people. It is so fun to be chosen and fascinating to see how it plays out. My golden retrievers have never been particularly discerning so when they encounter someone they don't want to go near, I get concerned!
Happy pet sitting! You are great parents! <3 <3 <3
Thanks Wynne. I can imagine how surprising it would be if your labs snubbed someone. I would give that person a wide berth! I love being a part of the pet-loving community!
Oh yay! I can comment! The whole time I was reading this I was thinking, "I hope it'll let me comment this time! I hope it'll let me!" This topic tickles my happy place, and yes to everything you wrote, except for the human connection thing. (Yes, as fulfilling, but perhaps in a different way.) Our boy cat is a mama's boy and our girl cat is a daddy's girl. I don't know how she's coped these last few months of the Husband's illness when he's not been able to "host" her on his lap for rub-down sessions (by getting her needs met from Second String Mama, I suppose). Two Christmases ago we were at an annual fondue party with four couples. The host has a cat. After dinner we retired to the living room to play a game. Every single person there is a pet person, and six of the eight people there have cats of their own, but the hosts' cat chose MY lap to sit in ALL NIGHT! I felt like a million bucks! It's also interesting to see how long it takes our girl cat (more shy than the boy) to warm up to the various petsitters we've had on our travels. I remember one saying she was starting to warm up just as the week was ending. Another one sent us a picture on the first day showing our girl cat happily lounging on top of her. That petsitter should have felt very special indeed.
T/A, I love the stories! Like I said, animals know--that's why the cat wanted you all night. And who knows about the timing, either. My sister's dog is extremely skittish, and until recently I couldn't make eye contact at all. I'm playing the long game, acting like I don't care when she hustles away from me. But, my goal in life is to get her to finally warm up to me. To prove to her that I am someone she needs to know. Yay for you commenting!
My fingers are crossed for you. I know she'll come around.
Laverne and Shirley are pretty equal-opportunity, but I have felt that special bond with other pets in the past. It's always a gratifying feeling!
I didn't think erotic fiction so much as eagerly awaiting an Amazon delivery. Speaks volumes, I suppose.
Amazon--too funny!