Learning to Become a Dog Father

I’ve made a friend I’m sure I will have countless memorable experiences with

Photo from the author

I never thought I would be a dog father, but alas, fate has placed me in a position of not only living with my roommate’s dog, Grizz, but playing with him, picking up his poop, walking, and running with him, and occasionally feeding him. It has come with its trials and tribulations, given that three days ago, I had no idea how to take care of a dog. This morning, as a matter of fact, I left for a run without Grizz and came back to find dog pee all over my floor.

Three days later, however, I am now relatively an expert after a short crash course of living with Grizz. No, I’m not actually a dog father mastermind, but I have learned a lot on both practical and relational levels that have bonded me and Grizz.

After all, Michael Corleone didn’t become mob boss of the Corleone family in The Godfather overnight either — he actually disdained the family business for most of his life. I was actually fearful of dogs when I was younger and thought I would never help care for one, but like Michael Corleone, I find myself thrust into a role I didn’t think was for me, and I love it.

Grizz, who is owned by my roommate Samuel Sullivan, used to have a brother named Dot Com, a character from 30 Rock, and…