In case you haven’t noticed, Mom and Dad are the ultimate Helicopter Dog Parents. So you can’t begin to understand my astonishment when I overheard them asking a friend to check in on us while they were away for a rare night out in Boston. I’ve waited for this opportunity for three years! Don’t get me wrong, I love spending as much time as possible with Mom and Dad. However, there are times that Asa and I would like a little me time, to do our own plans and not have them constantly hovering. The last time this rare opportunity presented itself, I totally blew it by obeying the instructions they left for the petsitter. But this time around I made the rules!
First off, in case you’re not familiar with the term Helicopter Dog Parent, here is how Wikipedia defines it for children: “A helicopter parent is a parent who pays extremely close attention to a child’s or children’s experiences and problems. Helicopter parents are so named because, like helicopters, they hover overhead.” Yep, that pretty much sums up Mom and Dad. However, the fact that they are known as overindulgent dog parents could work in my favor. Let’s face it, their friend thinks they are crazy. So why wouldn’t they leave over-the-top instructions on how to treat us? This was my chance to swap out Mom and Dad’s note to the petsitter with my new rules!
- Chuck Billy and Asa can play fetch for as long as they want. We suggest alternating throwing arms so that you don’t tire quickly, and bring along a backup pitcher or two.
- Give the boys ALL the food they want. Preferably everything in the refrigerator mixed in with their kibble and smothered in peanut butter.
- When not playing fetch or eating, Chuck Billy must be petted at all times. No breaks allowed.
- Treats must be handed out without any regard to merit, and the treat jar must be empty by the time we return.
- Dogs are allowed to sleep on the bed. When we get home we’ll sleep on the floor so as not to disturb their much needed rest.
Great rules, right? Well unfortunately Dad’s friend knows us well, and knew something wasn’t right with this list. A quick search, and she found the original list crumbled up in Asa’s crate where I told him to shred it. What was I thinking putting Asa in charge of any aspect of my plan? So sadly she went with the original instructions. But that’s ok! I still had a wonderful time, and enjoyed my night free of Mom and Dad’s hovering. Besides, if she did follow my rules, Asa wouldn’t have been able to sneak out and go on his grand adventure. But I’ll let him tell you all about that on Friday. In the meantime, Mom and Dad are extra clingy today, after being away from us for 12 hours…an eternity in their minds. So I better go reassure them that we are fine, and that it was ok our Helicopter Dog Parents enjoyed a rare night out.
My plan totally would have worked if I didn’t add that part about Mom & Dad sleeping on the floor.
