Obituary of Zoey Johnston

 If I Didn't Have A Dog
If I didn't have a dog I could walk around the back yard barefoot without worry. My house could be carpeted instead of tiled. My clothing, furniture and other belongings would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, my home wouldn't sound like a kennel. I could sit on the couch or lie in my bed the way I want to, without taking into consideration how much space she needs to be comfortable. I would not have strange presents under the Christmas tree like bones, stuffed animals, toys and treats...nor would I have to explain why I wrap them.
I would have no guilt about going on vacation. I would not be on a first name basis with three veterinarians, as I put their kids through college. The most used words in my vocabulary would not be sit, stay, down, come, go pee pee.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates and barriers. My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats, and an extra leash. My house wouldn't look like a daycare center with toys strewn everywhere. I would not have to spell out the words, BALL, Treat, bye-bye, walk.
If I didn't have a dog.... how truly empty my life would be.