Can You Love a Dog Too Much?

The simple answer?

Never.

For the past two weeks, Tanner has been recovering from surgery under our very watchful eyes. Every day has been filled with medication schedules, extra naps, gentle pats, and enough reassurance to convince her that she truly is the center of the universe.

Then again … maybe she is.

Freshly groomed and looking absolutely adorable, Tanner has learned something very important during her recovery. Being an exceptionally intelligent little dog, she’s figured out exactly how to work the system.

Walk by the pantry? She looks hopeful.

Sit down in a chair? She quietly appears beside you.

Open the refrigerator? She assumes it’s for her.

Every sympathetic glance seems to earn an extra pat. Every sad little look is worth another treat. If there’s a reward to be found, Tanner has mastered the art of collecting it.

Yesterday was another big milestone. Her stitches finally came out.

As always, she became the star of the veterinary office. She patiently accepted compliments from everyone who walked by. The receptionist admired her sweet face. The technicians commented on her gentle personality. She graciously accepted every bit of attention as though she had been preparing for this moment all week.

When it came time to remove the itchy stitches, she stood quietly, trusting the hands caring for her. Within minutes, she was finished.

The surgery had been a complete success.

The drive home was appropriately royal.

Tanner claimed the center seat in the back of the car, sitting like the little princess she has become, happily watching the world roll past her window while Billy and I smiled at one another. This chapter is finally behind us.

Best of all, she’ll be around to love us for many years to come.

Meanwhile, Oliver has been blissfully unaware that his little sister has been receiving special treatment. As far as he’s concerned, life has improved for everyone. He discovered that if he simply sits politely on the bed instead of charging the front door every time someone arrives, he earns a snack of his own.

He’s perfectly content with this arrangement.

Neither dog worries about who received more attention.

Neither keeps score.

They simply love us with their whole hearts.

We’ve been a little concerned about her appetite for the last two weeks. Eating only half her kibble, she dropped some weight. And, because we are suckers, we are quick to fill up her bowl with leftover breakfast and other goodies. This morning I found myself preparing another little feast of chicken and cottage cheese while two hopeful pairs of eyes watched every move I made.

Yes, we’ve become servants.

We open doors.

We hand out treats.

We fluff blankets.

We schedule vet appointments.

We happily share our furniture.

And somehow, these two little dogs have completely wrapped us around their paws.

People sometimes joke that pets become spoiled.

Maybe they do.

But here’s what I’ve learned.

Dogs spend their entire lives loving us without conditions. They greet us with love, forgive us quickly, celebrate our return as though we’ve been gone for years, and ask for so very little in return.

After two weeks of a successful surgery, healing, and one very spoiled little princess riding home in the back seat, I find myself asking the question again.