Relationship Confessions

I have two confessions.

1. I am in a relationship.

As much as this blog has been an open forum for me to write about the trials of seeing beyond heartbreak and the challenges of ending a marriage, I've avoided getting into specifics about budding romances. The reason has less to do with my own personal shame (let's face it, I have very little). It has more to do with being uncomfortable about thrusting some dude into being a character in my writing. For me, Best Laid Plans is about my own experiences with life changing events, so I never felt it was necessary to write about anyone else but me. Until now. My guy's name is Brian and he's very nice and I'm very happy and all of those good things. He's been such a positive aspect of my life these past few months that I feel like I have no choice but to talk about it.

Which brings me to my second confession:

2. I think my dog likes him more than she likes me and it's freaking me out.



Anybody who's read this blog previously likely knows about my obsession and love for my mutt, Dyna. She's been my own version of a therapy dog and if I ever had to give a speech akin to an Oscars shout-out, I'd likely throw her name in the list of thank you's between my parents' and my sister's.

When Brian first came into my life, Dyna was initially a bit suspicious, she wondered who this dude was who was taking my attention away. She'd whine. She'd get between us on the couch. She'd make her presence known. She was never aggressive, but she definitely let him know that she and I were a team. However, since Dyna's go-to emotion is love she was quick to see that he was a good guy and they became fast friends. I was thrilled. As some of you may know, I'd had concerns about meeting someone who wasn't very understanding about how important she was to me. I'd even written about it here: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie. The fact that they got along was awesome. He was amazing with her and she took to him like frosting on a cake.

Recently though, something seems to have shifted for her. Acceptance of Brian transitioned into a crush and now into complete adoration. I know I should be thrilled, but the other day we walked in together and she greeted him BEFORE me. Traitor! One night, she didn't want to leave for her walk until he came along. Deserter! Now, twisted into my happiness that they get on swimmingly is (aghast) jealousy! Finally, the other night, I confessed my feelings to Brian. And while he told me there was no way that she had more affection for him, dare I say I sensed a twinkle in his eye! I guess I felt like, after these past three years, my bond with Dyna was mutual. That if she barked out an Oscars speech of her own, I'd be right there in her thank you's. I suppose it's a small concession to make - to accept that my dog's heart can be big enough to fit both of us. I was just surprised at how quickly she's made room. Then again, I guess dog owner and dog think alike.

So there it is, I'm in a relationship. And so is my dog.