Sweet Stormy

I'm not a pets kinda girl.


Cats are obnoxious, and big dogs scare me. Little dogs need attention; birds are annoying; fish need changed water; gerbils just smell. If something causes a house to have a specific odor or something runs at/to me in the yard, I don't like it.


I like cows and pigs, chickens and horses. They need food and water and no lovin'. Granted, a horse needs to be ridden from time to time in order to be in constant rideable shape, but he/she doesn't bug me by neighing until I get the saddle and bridle.


With that said, you'll be surprised to know that I have found a sort of loving adoration for my boyfriend's childhood dog, Stormy. Stormy is an eleven-year old German Sheppard who lives in Aaron's parents' front yard.


Apparently Stormy used to be the mean, fearless protector Kendra, Aaron's younger sister. Stormy would growl at whomever would be with Kendra and sometimes chase people away--I like to think that she chased lots of boys away on Kendra's behalf. I imagine Kendra bringing a nervous boy home to meet the parents and telling him he had to get passed Stormy first, which sometimes didn't happen because I've heard stories of her growls and bites. When Stormy didn't like someone, that person knew.


I don't normally pet Stormy--because she's an outside dog, she smells--but every time I step onto Marty and Sherry's porch, I greet that sweet, old dog, and she seems to smile up at me. She's never attacked me, so I'd venture to say that she likes me, which is a relief because I'd probably pee my pants if she even growled at me.


One day, Stormy will be gone, sadly enough, and The Littles will mourn the loss of a long-time beloved friend. And instead of standing off to the side like an anti-pet person would, I'll be sad, too. I've not know her all eleven years of her life, but I love seeing her every weekend; she's the perfect piece of comfort to my sweet second home.