Have I mentioned that I sometimes work from home? Generally this works out well, except when the dog barks in the middle of a conference call. Then I just say, “Pay no attention to the barking dog.” Fortunately this does not happen that often.

We’ve had Rosie for about six months. Jenny had been angling for a dog for sometime and I was warm to the idea too.

About a year ago, I was getting ready to go on a work trip, and Jenny said, “When you get back, there’s something I want to tell you.”

“When I get back? No way. Tell me now.”

“I’ve decided,” Jenny started to say, “That I’m getting a dog.”

“You’re getting a dog?” I asked. “What about we’re getting a dog?” I mean, we do live in the same house.

I liked the idea of  getting a dog. We had already ruled out children, deciding that we are selfish and have too many bad habits. And we both wanted to keep it that way. But a dog is a different story. It’s possible to be selfish and have bad habits with a dog. My main issue with getting a dog was that both Jenny and I are so busy, I wondered if we’d be able to care for a dog.

“Do we really have time to take care of a dog?” I asked. Jenny reminded me that she was on sabbatical from her job at the University and it might be the perfect time to get a dog. And, with my travel schedule being what it is, Jenny would have some companionship when I am away.

But still, I was not convinced. I did not want Jenny to get distracted by the dog since she was supposed to be writing a book during  her sabbatical. So I decided to take a page from the Obama’s.

“When you finish your book, you can get a dog.” I said matter-of-factly. This was good motivation for writing, even Jenny thought so. But then, my situation changed slightly, and I started working from home more. Plus we almost got broken into, and both Jenny and I liked the idea of  a dog for extra security.

Jenny found Rosie on the internet, and we met her at a local shelter, fell in love, and brought her home. She looked to be a cross between a Border Collie and a Basenji. A sweet six-month old, red-headed, short-haired, medium-sized puppy named Rosie. She had been spayed earlier in the day and was groggy from the drugs and had a belly full of stitches when we brought her home. The next night, Jenny got on a plane to Korea for a week to attend a conference.

I was left alone with the new dog. We had various dogs in my family when I was growing up, but I have never had to care for one, so I was a little nervous. 

I asked some friends if they were available during the time that Jenny was away. “Why? Do you need a dog sitter?” One friend asked.

“No,” I said, “I’m the one who needs a sitter.” I wasn’t sure I really knew how to take care of a dog.

Various friends came over and kept us company during the week Jenny was away, and I got a lot of good advice. For instance, I did not know that it is customary to name the function of urinating and pooping. Most people might call this pee pee or  poopie or potty, but I didn’t think that was going to work for us. So I considered, “Out.” I tried this for a day or two but it sounded strange.

“Go out, go out,” I would say when we were already outside. Plus my experienced dog-loving friends made a  good point. What if she came to recognize “out” as a command for pee and we happened to be sitting around watching TV and one of us said, “Let’s go out for dinner.” Would Rosie, hearing the word “out,” squat and do her business right there on the carpet? Not happening. I needed a new word.

I considered business. “Go do your business, Rosie,” I would direct. Or I might ask, “Did you do all your business, Rosie?” I thought this was going to work well, but then I remembered how often I work from home, mostly on the phone using all kinds of words, including business.  I might say, “We really need a new business model.” Or “I don’t really think it’s our business to worry about that.” This could get problematic, me sitting at my desk saying “business” a lot would just confuse Rosie or make her do her business on the carpet, since I tend not to be outside when I am conducting my business from home.

I needed another word. I gave this more thought and decided on Piddles and Bits. Piddles for Number 1 and Bits for Number 2.

What I really liked about this new combination is that Piddles and Bits, besides the obvious reference to Kibbles ‘n Bits, had the added benefit of a little jingle.

“Piddle in the Middle, Poop Poop-a-Diddle.”

I often sing this little ditty for Rosie when she needs to go outside and do her business. Jenny gets a good laugh, and I even catch Rosie smiling sometimes.