If I didn’t already know, I wudda guessed Prince Goldman was a lot younger than his 13 (human) years. Prince is a Pomeranian, the kinda dog that looks like a Teddy Bear. Prince is a hansome poocheroo, with a fox face, red/gold lion mane, anna shortish summer haircut. He trotted right up for the Wag-an-Sniff.
“Good morning,” I said, introducing myself an my assistant. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Pleasure’s all mine,” Prince replied. “May I introduce my Mommy an Daddy, Cindy an Stu? We’ll sit inside where it’s cool.” He led the way, then nodded toward my open notebook. “I see you’re all set to write. Shall I begin?”
“Absolutely!”
“First, I must say, I’m a very fortunate dog, with a great life anna wonderful famly. Mommy an Daddy fell in love with Pomeranians while they were caring for Missy an Princess, when Daddy’s father was no longer able to. After Missy an Princess went to Dog Heaven, Mommy an Daddy were so sad. Mommy said, ‘I’m NOT getting another dog!’
“But a couple of months later, they ree-lized how much they missed havin’ such sweet, smart, people-loving pooches around. So they began looking for another Pomeranian, an came across an ad for puppies, up in Merritt Island. Fortuitously, it was my litter. They drove up to see us: We were just flopsy liddle 8-week-old puppers, tumblin’ about. All except me. I was busy studiously untying Daddy’s shoelaces. I’d get one untied, an Daddy’d tie it back in a nice bow. I untied it again. He tied it back. An we just kept untie’n an tie’n. I’m pretty sure Daddy was laughin’. Finally he said, ‘This dog’s goin’ home with us!’ Woof, was I happy! Now, Daddy’s always telling people it was the best choice he EVER made.
“Truth be told, Bonzo, I ackshully chose HIM FIRST cuz I KNEW, from the MIN-nut I spotted Mommy an Daddy, that they were my Forever Famly. That’s why I decided to initiate my Clever Shoelace Plan. An, waaa-laaa, it WORKED!”
“Brilliant!” I agreed.
“It WAS, wasn’t it? They named me for Princess, an my life’s been Majorly Crispy Dog Biscuits ever since. I LOVE drivin’ in the car. I sit on Mommy’s lap or on the seat an snooze or gaze out the window. I’ve been to mass-ACHOO-sits to visit my human brothers Steve an Jeff. Sasha, Steve’s Siberian Husky, is lots younger than me, an bouncy, so I sometimes hafta retreat to the couch. Max an Victoria live with Jeff. They are of the Feline Purrsuasion. We have a Peaceful Coexistance agreement: Mostly we stare at each other while observing Social Distancing Guidelines.
“I enjoy flying, too. Because I’m a registered service dog, I’m allowed to fly in the cabin. Then I wear my official vest, an carry my official Florida ID. I’ve always felt my Purpose is to help humans whenever I can. I remember visiting my great uncle at a quiet place called Hospice. I snuggled right next to him on his bed, an I could tell he was happy I was there.”
I sniffed an took a liddle breath.
“For years,” Prince continued, “Daddy was boss of The Grill Place an I was Official greeter. One morning, when I was young an impulsive, I went all Call-of-the-Wild, squeezed through a hole in the fence an took off. Mommy an Daddy went ballistic. They couldn’t find me ANYWHERE. They put up posters everywhere. Turns out, shortly after I took off, I got Dognapped!”
“Are you Woofin’?”
“Nope. Somebody thought I’d make a nice present for a fren who’d recently lost their dog, so he nabbed me. I was treated OK, but I was conFUSED an conCERNED. Where was I? Where was Mommy an Daddy? It was the scariest night me an Mommy an Daddy ever spent. The next morning, the human who got me as a present somehow or other ree-lized what had happened an called Mommy an Daddy, an I made it back home. I’d been just a coupla houses up the street the whole time.”
“Oh, for Lassie’s Sakes!”
“Then, one time,” Prince continued, “me an Daddy were at True Value when Daddy got real sick an fell over and hit his head. He hadda go to the HOS-biddle in a AM-byuh-lunce. Well, Bonzo, I stayed by his side like glue. I kept givin’ him kisses an tried my best to get in the am-byuh-lunce with him, but I wasn’t allowed. A nice human at True Value stayed with me till Mommy came to pick me up. Now, when Daddy walks around, he hasta use something he calls a walker. Soon as he stands up, I’m right there, an I STAY right next to him, just in case.”
“Prince, you’re some Cool Kibbles poocheroo!”
“Not to brag, but I’m pretty well known around here. I ackshully had my pickshur in your paper from when I was at Relay for Life. When people invite Mommy an Daddy over they always say, ‘Be sure to bring Prince.’ At the dog park I mostly hang with Mommy. As a young whippersnapper I was bonkers for Frisbee. I get leash walks, too, shorter these days. I watch TV with Mommy an Daddy: When I’m home alone, it’s The Dog Channel. My favrite food’s whatever Mommy an Daddy are havin’, specially chiggen, an pasta (which I don’t get any more cuz I tend to get a liddle, umm, tubby).
“The minute Daddy gets in bed, I pounce on him and give him millions of kisses. When I was a pupper I slept on Mommy’s pillow, smack on top of her head. I have my own steps up to the bed, so sometimes I sleep on the nice, cool tile floor. Yessiree, Bonzo, I’m a Truly Lucky Dog.”
Heading home, I was picturin’ liddle Prince confidently takin’ Service Dog class with all those way bigger pooches. Even though he looks like a teddy bear, he’s definitely got a big dog heart.
Till next time,
The Bonz
