We all had a sort of love-hate relationship with Tommy, because he could be sweet, but he was usually naughty. Walking Tommy was a challenge, because he decided the route himself, and when you called him, more often than not he didn’t come. If he saw or smelled something edible, he’d grab it. Large pieces of cheese and sandwiches would disappear from the table. When he was home alone, he’d break out of his crate and destroy shoes and furniture—he’d even gnaw holes in walls and window frames. That’s why he was usually allowed to come along on family outings and to parties. In the photos, he always seems to be looking triumphantly at the camera!
If Tommy really couldn’t come along, he’d stay with me—and he was the most obedient and sweetest dog in the world. Wherever I was, there he was! At the office, in the kitchen, and in the living room. The downside was that he was always walking right in front of your feet, and since he was pretty small, you couldn’t see him. On my blind right side, I couldn’t see him at all. I (almost) tripped over him so many times, and I’d kick him pretty regularly. Then he’d whine very dramatically! It took him a long time to figure out that he’d be better off staying on my left side. If I did happen to bump into him anyway, he’d give me the sweetest apologetic look. Well, “look” is a bit of an exaggeration. He didn’t look me straight in the eye, but only at my left, sighted eye, ignoring my stationary prosthetic eye.
Tommy’s successor is a completely different dog—and a few sizes bigger. My neighbor’s dog is a one-and-a-half-year-old Malinois who was too sweet to become a police dog. She’s truly exceptionally sweet, obedient, and super smart—because after just one “sit,” she already knew it’s better to stay on my left side!
Anita Hol-Bubeck
