An addition to the family
Posted by Dennis Anderson on Dec 13th, 2007
We got a puppy.
It's the first pet I've ever had, not counting the goldfish I won at a grade-school carnival for flipping a ping-pong ball into a small fishbowl.
I feel like a new parent again. Everything we do is for the dog, Lorenzo, named after Robert De Niro's character in "A Bronx Tale." My oldest son, Eric, the 15-year-old who continues to channel Dean Martin, named him.
The name fits. Lorenzo, an 8-pound caramel-colored mini dachshund puppy, reminds me of the spitfire Italians I grew up with in Chicago. He's a battler, testing his teeth on shoes, furniture and socks filled with toes.
You can tell Lorenzo's emotions through his eyes, one brown and the other blue. His eyes are wide open when he's happy. His eyebrows furrow when he needs to go outside for a pit stop. And his eyelids get droopy with a hint of a tear when he can tell we are going out for a couple of hours and he's heading into his kennel.
After a long day at work, I get excited on the ride home anticipating seeing Lorenzo, his busy tail wagging as he twirls around the floor offering up his belly for me to scratch.
When he's tired, he wants your lap — and undivided attention. Don't even try picking up a magazine.
Just like when we had our boys, I can't hardly remember a time before Lorenzo joined our home.
I'm not sure why I waited so long to get my first pet, but I'm sure glad we have Lorenzo.
at 6:49 a.m.
Dennis, I'm so glad you're experiencing a furry joy-bringer, as we call our little Katy. Lorenzo sounds great.
at 1:22 p.m.
What a joy to have a pet. We love ours. Congratulations on the addition to your family. They are "people" you know.