It occurred to me this evening — as I was dicing chicken and string beans for the dogs’ supper — that I’ve become the Crazy Dog Lady.
I really think I crossed the line when I started making my own dog food. There was all the time spent figuring out my recipe. There was all the prep work and planning — bake the chicken, chop the veggies, cook the rice. Now I’m performing mental math, wondering how long each batch of meat, rice, and vegetables will last, and how many meals the dogs will get. Is this cost effective? Am I feeding them enough? Have I included all the essential nutrients?
Yep. Crazy Dog Lady territory for sure.
Let’s face it — I was pretty close to CDL-land already. The dogs sleep on my bed, and I’ll often contort myself around them to sleep, rather than make them move. There’s a dog bed in every room, but they’re also welcome on the couches. They have a box of abandoned treats and toys, and I keep replenishing their favorites (chicken jerky in the snack department and squeaky balls for Lally).
And let’s not forget my neighborhood crusades. I try to be a responsible dog owner and encourage others to do the same. I try to keep the kids at the complex safe by steering clear when we’re out walking — especially if Lally is in one of her agitated moods.
But I also believe those two dogs are worth every penny I spend and every moment I worry. Moose and Lally are as close as I’m going to get to having children of my own. They’re my constant companions, and the number one reason I get up in the morning. (Of course, as soon as my eyes are open, Moose usually starts licking me. So that helps wake me up.)
So I will wear my Crazy Dog Lady title with pride!