PUPPY LOVE

Sarah-Kate hears the pitter-patter of tiny paws

It’s been more than a year since we had a dog in our house and although there are pictures of our dear departed Ted everywhere, we still miss him like crazy.

A grey towel on the floor can set me off for hours when I catch it out the corner of my eye and think for one joyous moment it’s him. (Yes, my mother did teach me to pick up towels but now and then one gets away on me.)

And I know the Ginger has the occasional panic when he’s in the car on his own, suddenly wondering, “What have I done with the dog?”

Grieving’s never a straightforward process. I remember after my father died when I was in my 20s my sister and I went for counselling and were told, blessedly, there’s no right way to do it. Whatever floats your boat instead of sinking it.

Luckily, the Ginger and I have both had busy work years so there has been the odd time when we’ve even admitted that it’s been good to not have a dog. Although we’ve whispered it and felt guilty afterwards. But the logistics can be not dissimilar to wrangling a child.

“I’m back from Queenstown at two o’clock, so if you take him to work I can pick him up, but you’ll need to do the supermarket shopping because it’ll be too hot to leave him in the car, etc, etc, etc.”

Actually, Ted loved the car because he thought it meant he was going somewhere, even if we got out of it and left him in it (under cover, with windows open and plenty of water, of course). For some reason, in his brain, this totally counted as an outing.

Although my scientist friend was always quick to remind me that Ted’s brain was about the size of a walnut, possibly with a bite taken out of it.

Anyway, it was with great joy that we recently spent a fabulous few days looking after a seven-month-old puppy you may have already heard about because she’s Sido’s baby Tui.

While Sido was sunning herself in foreign parts (hang on, isn’t it me who’s supposed to do that?), we followed Tui around our house like faithful hounds ourselves, doting on her every tail wag, cute snuffle, baleful look and clever ploy.

Not wild about the Ginger to begin with (perhaps with his salt-and-pepper look she failed to recognise a fellow ginger), she soon realised he was much better with the ball than I’ll ever be.

But when it came to cuddles and lying in? Kindred spirits.

The floor’s a mess, Ted’s toy duck which he had for two years lasted all of 10 minutes, and for someone who doesn’t eat much, she sure does poop a lot.

But how we adored our little house guest – the joy, warmth and laughter a dog brings to a house makes up for any trifling inconvenience.

I did suggest Sido stay in distant climes forever, but Tui already has a home full of people who love her. So, Santa, guess what I want for Christmas?