Our Pets are Our Kids…But

“Mom, can I give Blackie a bone?”

“No bones for Blackie, ever. They will kill him.”

“But…”

The conversation may have gone like this. I was six, seven, maybe eight years old. Our Blackie was a miniature poodle. He was a companion, a watcher, somebody to play fetch with. And when he became an elderly dog, one that at times I lovingly washed when he had accidents. It was a job I took.

My mom made it very clear that the dog could have no bones, ever. It did not matter what they were, or what critter they came from. The rule was enforced. Of course, hilarity ensued when Blackie stole the roast one day. What to serve guests? And…that roast had bones.

We were very worried, but fortunately, the dog did not get any bone splinters. I have no idea how that dinner was salvaged.

He did end up returning some of that, and for the next three days, he was not happy. These days I know he likely had issues digesting that much human food. I don’t remember too many details. Just know that we were worried.

He was a family member, and he was spoiled. He also lived before the era of dog food. So he had rice and meat with some carrots, or other boiled vegetables every day…for seventeen years. There was no puppy food or senior food. And when he was offered dog food at…