The Adventures of Bentley

Having a dog growing up was great.  Dakota was the sweetest chocolate lab to ever exist and I still tear up when I think about her.  She is chillin’ on the mantle with the electronic candles above the fireplace in my parents house for now.  When she passed, I said to myself “I never ever want to be this sad again, I’ll never own another dog.”  But alas, after two years went by, I had puppy fever.

So along came Bentley.  He was adopted from All 4 Paws in Chester Springs.  He was listed as a Chihuahua-Beagle mix — how that happens is a story for another day.  Needless to say, after DNA tests and a 30 lb weight gain, we determined that he was part Shepard, part coon-hound, part wild beast.

Needless to say, the “glamorous” life of a pet owner is a facade!    What I thought would be a life full of long joyful walks with my new best friend was really tears, antibiotics, face wounds, and credit card debt.

However, Bentley makes for great conversation and…well….mediocre blogs.  I like to tell the story about when Bentley knocked over a three year old toddler in the dog park and then drug him through the dirt by his hood as everyone stood in horror.  Or the time that we took him out to eat in WC and he barked at every black person, every person wearing a hat, every beard, a plant,……a light bulb or two.  Or about the time Bentley ate cat poop then proceeded to projectile vomit on the beige carpet…..twice, as I stood by sobbing.  Or perhaps how hilariously expensive it was to have Bentley on antibiotics for various “stray dog issues” seven times before he was a year old.  I’ve had the fortune of having Bentley collectively be the worst dog ever in his first year of existence.  However, he’s two and a half now and much calmer and much more fun to hang out with.  His days of boob biting, racism, and couch destruction are behind him.

So if I can give any twenty-something’s advice — it is to WAIT until you’re older and more boring before you welcome a four legged friend into your lives.  But once you do cave, they love you no matter what and it seems maybe a little worth it.  You’re welcome.

xoxo shu