We’ve talked about it, but always in the future tense. Lengthy conversations laced with optimism, but never anything grounded in the here and now. I presumed he would cave first. I wasn’t ready for the responsibility, so I assumed we would do it after he retired. It would give him a project, a diversion to keep us from driving each other crazy with the extra time together. I was shocked I was the weak link.

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Stereotypical desires can manifest in non-stereotypical ways. Take the biological clock. I have one. I know I have one. What I don’t have, is the desire to care for a helpless little being that leaks, cries and remains unswayed by pragmatism. Yet there is a clock, and my inability to hear the faint ticking doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, only that I exercise selective hearing.

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He asked if it was my biological clock, but I couldn’t be properly indignant about his assertion because I had already asked myself that question. It wasn’t THE reason, but I can’t say it was void of influence. I’m not so arrogant as to dismiss things I do not understand.

The other reasons, the certain ones I understood. I thought it would give me a feeling of purpose. I thought it would provide a catalyst to get out more. I thought it would be socially acceptable focus that would reduce my preoccupation with the inconsequential things spinning around in my head.

So, we rescued a dog, a ten month old Australian Shepherd mix. She is housebroken, intelligent, sociable, and cat tolerant. Hopefully she will make a good hiking partner after obedience training.