Published: April 28, 2008 06:17 pm            

WHITE-WALKER: Smarter than Shiloh?

Some people emotionally put-up those darn invisible impregnable walls and there you are, chipping away trying to find out who and what the heck they connect with to give their life meaning. If wasn’t my job to strip away at my brother’s-in-law aloofness to find out who he bonded with, but after 40 years, I’ve got it! Don’t tell me I’m not a quick study. Dogs, he gives his heart completely to the dogs he has owned over the years. My sister, God love her, is so grounded and well adjusted she just accepts the fact that next to their adorable cocker spaniel Shiloh, she’s second best, at best.

“You mean it doesn’t irk you that Shiloh is always on his lap, but never you?” I nosily asked.

“Oh Randy would never publicly display affection,” she explained.

“I’m talking about in your own house, sitting on your own couch, and is that considered public domain?”

“According to my husband it is. He says the family treats our home like open house, that’s why he never locks the door.”

“He’s so much warmer than he appears, huh?”

“Shiloh thinks so,” she laughed.

“Randy, Mary Paula and Shiloh own three residences, their main home in Houston, a rustic abode in Vermont, and much to my husband’s chagrin a place near us. Oh, he likes them well enough, although he’s always saying, “Those people have more money than brains.” Their hearts would break if they could hear him, and Shiloh would probably go straight for his throat. All three own and drive late-model vehicles, with Shiloh sitting on Randy’s lap while he, the dog, steers.

“That damn dog drives better than you do,” insists my husband, and of course he’s only kidding. He sure as heck best be teasing.

When Randy and M P want to take their jaunts to New York City and Toronto, guess who the official baby-sitters are? Not everyone would qualify for the position; you practically need clearance by the CIA. My husband and I first had to pass Randy’s pop quiz on How To Care For Man’s Best Friend. We’ve answered easier questions on Jeopardy.

“You’re not OUR best friend if you think we’re not capable of handling one stinkin’ dog,” I cried. “We’ve raised kids, for Pete’s sakes!”

“Yeah, but are they as lovable and well-behaved as my Shiloh? You don’t hear her talking back.”

“Our kids don’t talk back,” they simply express their opinions because … because peoples’ IQ’s are higher than dogs.”

Can you believe that he actually raised his eyebrows and kept quiet, making me think…

“Get yourself a dog to baby-sit then!” I snapped.

“No, no,” he insisted. “Both of you had references that checked out, so here’s the deal. You can burn down my homes, wreck my cars and take all my money, but you can’t, I repeat, you can’t allow anything to happen to my dog.”

If you don’t think he was dead serious you’re going to make me have to admit that possibly he was right about…. please, don’t make me say it.

He left money for his little princess to be primped and pampered and to attend doggie yoga classes so that the poor thing can relax after her hectic beauty treatment. Forget it! I’m on my way now to a spa that caters to people. My brother-in-law is so generous with me, only he doesn’t know it. Now who’s the dumb one?

Karen White-Walker is a Wilson resident. Her column appears every Tuesday.

        

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