I've found somebody in my neighborhood who has solved his, or her, "I need a dog" dilemma. At first glance, we see an adorable beagle puppy searching the morning sky for the meaning of life. Closer inspection reveals that the cute canine is a stuffed toy doggie sitting next to a realistic cutout of a long-haired companion of undetermined parentage. No barking, no accidents, no destroyed furniture, just the joy of knowing that these loyal canines are waiting patiently for her, or his, owner's return.
It's hard to hide my dog envy. Our family lost our last best family dog in mid 1970s, and I never got over the loss. To this day, I imagine myself walking a fawn-colored boxer puppy, forever playful, forever loyal, and always eager to please. I'm fearful that no dog this side of heaven will ever fill the void left by his passing.
