The dog riding the short bus

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Born the day before our anniversary, Banjo was destined to compete with my main man for attention and resources. He is what you call the “special occasion pup.”

Waiving all financial expenditures for holidays and special occasions for 2001, I requested instead personal financial credits toward a male bull terrier. My husband agreed to pay “show price” for a “rescue” pup who won me over.

Emergency care after eating six cups of gravel, visits to the doggy psychologist for behavioral issues and an operation to build a knee, consumed all my special occasion credits for 2002.

I continued to justify our unexpected expenditures by utilizing this system in 2003 when Banjo needed another knee built as well as corrective surgery. My sister had him micro-chipped for Christmas to assure that I would not misplace my “special occasion pup” in 2004. It has worked. For Valentines Day, my birthday and Easter, I have requested credit consideration. The pup refuses to walk our hardwood floors throughout our home which is leading to further professional advice.

The dog that my husband says “rides the short bus” continues to be as sweet to me as a box of chocolates with his marshmallow head and jelly heart. However, when people say that you can’t put a price on love, let’s be honest. Oh, yes you can! To the tune of about $6,000.

Jill Couch Lambert
Lexington
EnergyUnited