7/2/20: I was delighted to be asked for my participation in the Washington City Paper’s Little Joys feature, for which “local people to share the meaningful joy—whether abstract or tangible—that has helped them endure dismaying times.“
Being a dog person who has recently added another dog to our pack, my choice was easy. Enter, Baby Benson (pictured above, obvi).
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For all the obvious reasons, I’ll suggest that while there’s never a bad time to get a puppy, some times are better than others: being mostly housebound for an extended—and apparently indefinite—period of social distancing, for instance. My wife and I could not have known, when we decided to add a third dog to our family, that this spring would end up being the ideal time to experience the myriad joys and occasional, inevitable aggravations of training a cheery, indefatigable, sometimes obdurate four-legged friend. For one thing, a furry companion who only knows how to live in the moment is a welcome distraction from the heavy thoughts that accompany a pandemic. For another, you cannot spend an unhealthy amount of time on the couch or in front of the computer if you’re obliged to chase after a little pup who needs to go outside to pee and poop, steals shoes, and defies the obstacles of a puppy-proofed house like it’s his job. That kind of joy is irresistible. And laughter really is the best medicine, particularly in times when not enough of us know if we’ll need medicine or if it’ll be available. Having a puppy is a necessary reminder of how imperfect we can be, which is just about the most perfect gift we can give ourselves in times like these.
