Lauren Lejeune

While 2024 was a year full of blessings, new experiences and so much happiness, it has also caused a problem in my household so profoundly inconceivable: I have become the spare human to my pets.  

I’ve been pondering this anomaly for the last few days as I watch our three dogs and my cat follow Nate around my house like he's God's gift. They sit at his feet, they listen to him better and they are much happier to see him when he comes over than they are me. Disgusting, really. 

It’s my own fault, I suppose. This year I’ve gotten to do a lot of traveling for work and personal trips, which can be difficult when you have pets. Thankfully, Nate is kind enough to come pet sit while I’m away, ensuring everyone is on their schedules and taken care of exactly how they need to be. It's a blessing and I’m thankful he’s willing to do it. Except now he’s almost done too good of a job. 

I noticed it after I came home from house sitting for a friend in Wapiti. I had been gone for about a week. The night I had finally come home for good, I was greeted by the dogs for approximately two seconds, before they all ran back to the recliner and laid down at Nate’s feet while he watched a game on the television. The cat (who Nate claims to dislike most days of the week), was curled up in a tight ball, sleeping away in Nate’s lap. I was left to put my stuff away, no little shadows trailing behind me, no animals underfoot. 

You can always count on a dog to give you the attention no one else will give you, at the level no other human can possibly give you. That’s why they’re “man's best friend.” Maybe I’m reaching, but my theory is that my dogs had to get a new bestie while I was away. It’s definitely better than the alternative of boarding — there’s nothing wrong with that option, but this works best for us. 

While I’m just thankful they like Nate, it seems I’m going to have to work extra hard to retake my rightful place once again. Extra toys, treats and more fetch. I might even have to cave and let Kai snuggle with me on the couch, just for an evening. But let’s face it, they deserve all those things anyways.