My Mom Did Not Want Me To Have A Pet
Whenever I asked my mom for a dog, I wasn’t at all surprised when she replied with a resounding, “NO!” We played that game for three years until I finally stopped asking. Her mind was made up and there was nothing I could do about it. Then, two years ago in October, there was a knock on my bedroom door before my brother poked his head in and asked me to follow him into the living room. Next to the sofa, shaking with fright, was the tiniest silkie I had ever seen. I dropped to my knees and gently picked him up before my brother told me that “Johnny Boy” didn’t belong to me. He’d bought it for his girlfriend.
Johnny Boy Lounging In His Bed. Photo: Candia Vieira.
Luckily for me, his girlfriend’s parents were against having a pet in their home and didn’t even budge an inch when they saw Johnny’s cute little face and tail wagging back and forth. They just wouldn’t give the little silkie a chance. Thanks to her parents, Johnny Boy finally found a home. With me! I guess I sound a tad bit mean, but I was the best thing that ever happened to that dog. The vet reminds me of that every year, when he marvels at Johnny’s strong legs and muscles.
Until She Met Johnny Boy And Fell In Love
I’m rushing ahead of myself here. Let’s rewind to my mom’s first meeting with Johnny. And oh what a first meeting it was! I’d assumed that she would allow me to keep him because he was just too cute to resist. However, I was wrong. When she saw him, her cheeks turned a dangerous shade of red and she promptly told me I had to get rid of him. I cried and begged her to let me keep him at least for a few weeks until I could find him a home. She agreed, but only on one condition. He was to stay in my room and out of sight.
The Author's Mother And Johnny Playing Around. Photo: Candia Vieira.
Surprisingly, she grew fond of Johnny rather quickly. I forgot to mention that she has a soft heart for someone who kept denying me a pet for three years. By the end of the first week, she was allowing Johnny to leave my room and roam around the house and when the “few weeks” were up, she was reluctant to let me find him that home I had promised her. The inevitable had finally happened. She’d fallen in love with a dog.
