Zimbob the Dog

Zimbob is my adopted little brother.

Oh, yes. My parents have become dog people. The kind of people who let their dog sleep in their bedroom, sneak him scraps from the table, call to check on him when they're away, and try to include him in family photos... The kind who probably read Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul when I'm not looking. For those of you who knew them in the past, this will probably come as a surprise.


My parents used to be the kind of people who thought the animal clips on America's Funniest Home Videos were dumb and boring, that preparing any sort of special food for your dog was ridiculous, and that people who put photos of their dogs in Christmas cards were silly. Don't get me wrong. It's not as if they hated or even disliked dogs. In fact, we always had a dog growing up. But we lived in sunny California, my mom had her hands full with little kids, and the dogs lived outside. It was more of a pragmatic relationship.


Then their kids moved out, and they took home a beautiful little pup and named him Zimbob (In reference to Zimbabwe, where his breed originates, and also referring to small town American names like "Jim Bob".) In order to be socialized, the breeder told them to keep the puppy by their sides at all times. And just like that, the "my little pony" (as my mom likes to call him) weaseled his way into their hearts.


As much as I like to tease them about it, I actually think their attachment to him is very sweet. How could anyone resist the lovable, clumsy charms of this overgrown puppy, anyways? Did you see his eyes in the top photos? Since Kirk and I moved back in with my parents, we have definitely fallen for him. Kirk loves to take him out to play catch and horse around. He makes a great walking companion for me. And when my parents are out of town, he makes a fine studio buddy. He can sit, catch, and shake....Maybe we'll teach him to print.


Do you have pets? Is it more of a pragmatic relationship, or are they your "hairy babies" like my friend Zu likes to say?