to dog or not to dog

I must confess, I am not an animal person. It isn't that I dislike animals, it's just that the hair and poop and barking and puking and drooling and meowing and sniffing get in the way of me ever really wanting a pet of my own. But, for the first time in my life, I can see myself as a dog owner--well, not really me as the dog owner, but Roger.

The little dude is OBSESSED with dogs and cats. He points them out at the park or across the street. Whenever the neighbor is out with his dog, Roger squeals in delight and runs across the street to say hello (fortunately there have been no cars and we are now aware that he will indeed take off if Greta (the dog) is in sight).

Well, my heart nearly melted this week when we visited a friend and Roger followed the cat around for a half-hour. This cat was so not cat-like--he let Roger touch his face and ears and he didn't run away when Roger laid on top of him to give him a hug. This family also has a few dogs--one is a rat terrier and one is that companion dog that you always see in the royal family paintings. I always thought I would be a big dog person-- but these little dogs were absolutely adorable. They weren't yappy or annoying and were very well behaved (usually that is NOT how I picture a small dog).

For the first time in my life I am actually picturing myself as a dog owner. When I hear D talk about his childhood dog with such fondness I can't help but picture my little Roger chasing a dog around the neighborhood. A dog just didn't fit with my other kids, but with Roger I can imagine it. Guess I'll have to sit on this one for awhile.