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The Ramp

© Wendy Smith

I stared down at the page of the mail order pet supply catalogue with baited breath. Should I do it? I’ve always said I wanted one – that it would be good for Chelsea. She’s not getting any younger after all.

But they are so expensive. Was I prepared to shell out that kind of money?

“Well,” said the more assertive part of my brain, “you do have it in the bank. Might as well spend it on something that someone in the family can get some use out of.”

I sighed and closed the catalogue. My eyes lowered to the snoring Rottweiler in front of the TV. Guilt can certainly kick you hard when it wants to.

Poor old Chelsea. The recent cold weather had been causing her arthritis to act up. Whenever she walked, it was with a noticeably stiff hobble. She still managed to do her share of roughhousing with Dingo, but for the most part, she was content to lie snoozing in front of whatever heat source was available.

And I couldn’t shake the guilty feeling that I had been paying more attention to Dingo lately, too. But how could I not? While Chelsea is content to sleep, Dingo is a dynamo of energy that demands to be entertained. If the dogs deem that I have been on the computer too long, Chelsea will pad over and snort at me (or rather, ON me). But Dingo, however, will somehow manage to get under my desk and poke his nose against any piece of bare skin he can find. This nose has the power to freeze steel. How can a lowly human such as myself ignore that pressed against their flesh? It’s like instant frostbite. When I look down, all I see is a wedge shaped head on my lap complete with enormous, bulging brown eyes that bring to mind baby seals.

And don’t even get me started on the tail that never stops wagging. Dingo is the happiest little idiot that I have ever laid eyes on. He bounces down the hall in the mornings, having trouble keeping at least two legs on the ground. Chelsea just cruises to the door in her “been there, done that” attitude.

Dingo is also devious, while Chelsea is not. I’m constantly giving him attention by scolding him, while Chelsea is lying on her rug like a good girl. Sometimes it’s easy to forget about the good ones.