A note from Rosemarie:  

Thank you so much for reading this blog that has included the first eleven chapters of My Dog, Me. The original manuscript was completed in 1998 but I didn’t have the confidence to seek publication at that time. I was a single mom with more important matters to address – like a mortgage payment and putting food on the table for Allison and Tyler. If you respond to this post with a comment, I will make sure that you know the “rest of the story.” I am working with CreateSpace, the publishing arm of Amazon to have it available soon to download or as a hard copy which will include illustrations by Heather Lowrie, an up and coming graphic artist. 

It is my sincere wish that you share this story with that special child in your life, even if it is that inner child who still wonders if wishes come true. 

Yes, Virginia (or insert your name here), you can make your wishes happen. Maybe not today, but if you keep working, you can achieve your fondest dreams.

My best to you,
Rosemarie

PS -  On to the final edit (I hope) of Bitter Sugar, my adult novel circa 1850 Louisiana sugar plantation which holds the secrets of abuse, damage, redemption, and healing. 

Ask the person reading with you to explain, “Be careful what you wish for.” Then think of a time you wished for something and was glad that your wish went unfulfilled.

​Chapter 11  "A New Problem"

“Boys, you’re all wet,” said Mom. “Dundee, I should still be mad at you, but I can’t stay mad at your forever. After all, you are my favorite doggie.” She began to wipe off his paws with a paper towel. “And as for you, Tyler, quick get out of that wet shirt and put on something dry.”

When Dundee returned in a cozy sweater, Mom said, “I’ve got some chocolate chip cookies for you.”
He could barely eat the cookie, although it was tasty. Dundee slipped one to Tyler who just let it fall to the floor. Mom noticed their sad faces.

“You both look like you have something heavy on your hearts.” She leaned over the pooch. “Dundee, I forgive you for being such a wild thing today. You know I love you.” Tyler looked up with sad doggie eyes, his ears bent low. Then Mom took Dundee by the hand and led him to the couch in the den. Tyler sat at her feet. She puffed one of the pillows and pulled Dundee onto the couch near her. She put her arm around his shoulder and snuggled closer. “What’s wrong, Son? Did you have a rough day at school?” She gently brushed the hair off his face and waited a moment. “You look so sad.”
Dundee turned to her shoulder and began to sob. Tyler put his head in her lap and joined in mournfully. Mom just sat there confused.

Dundee wiped his nose with his shirt sleeve. “Mom, did you ever wish for something that came true and then realized it wasn’t what you wanted after all?” Mom thought for a minute and then replied, “Yes, I remember how much I wanted a piano when I was a little girl. Then when Grandma and Gramps bought me one and made me practice every day, I wished I had asked for a baseball glove instead.

Dundee grinned and Tyler raised his head to listen. “Another time I wished for a baby sister. Grandma and Gramps brought home a baby brother instead. I was so angry. Seemed all they did was fuss over him. People came over and said how cute he was. Boy, was I jealous, thinking they loved him more than they loved me.”

“Really?” asked Dundee. “Yes, really. But I figured they loved us both the same. Just that some days they loved one of us more than the other. It all evens out.” Dundee laughed. “You know,” she continued. “It took me years to understand that. Eventually, Uncle Hank taught me how to catch a baseball. And I can still play Christmas carols on the piano.” She smiled. “Things do work out, most of the time.”

Tyler and Dundee looked at each other thinking Oh, great. Does this mean we have to get used to this?” “Oh no,” whispered Dundee to Tyler. “I don’t want to be a boy forever.” Tyler started a low growl, shaking his head side to side.  Great, just great. I’m not the doggie type either. Instinctively, Mom felt her son’s head, thinking he surely must be ill. There was no fever. Only a miserable little boy and an equally unhappy dog.

Neither creature felt like eating that night. Both went up to bed early. Mom made some tea and read a story to her darlings in bed, Dundee looking onto the pages as Tyler huddled in a ball nearby. The wind picked up and blew the curtains at the window. It had stopped raining but they could see lightening in the distance. The sky had a tinge of green. There was a funny smell, like chlorine bleach that Mom used to clean the bathroom.

“Mom, this is weird,” said Dundee. “I’m scared.” “No need, son. The funny smell is ozone. It happens sometimes before a lightning storm. But in the morning, everything will smell fresh. I promise.”

Dundee settled down, and they finished the story.  Mom went over to close the window, but left it cracked, just a little. “Tomorrow we’re going to move your bed to the other side of the room. I don’t like it so close to the window.”
“Why, Mom?”

“I was reading that scientists are researching some phenomenon that happens when a person makes a wish around ozone.”

“You mean it makes wishes come true?”

“Not sure. But it’s probably best not to get too close to that funny smell. Just in case,” she replied. “You know what Grandma always says, ‘Be careful what you wish for.’”

Tyler and Dundee looked at each other again thinking, Hmmmmm….

She tucked Dundee under the covers and patted Tyler’s head. Then she kissed both her “boys”, Dundee on his forehead and Tyler on his snout. Turning out the lights, she tiptoed out of the room.

After Mom’s footsteps faded in the hallway, Dundee and Tyler went to the window. The sky was a pale green and the aroma was greater than before. They sat on the floor facing each other and inhaled a deep breath, making a wish. Then Dundee closed the window just as the raindrops started splashing against the glass.

The two friends climbed back into bed and held each other close. Both were of the same mind. “I just don’t think I can go to school tomorrow and pretend to be you,” said Dundee. “It’s too hard.”

Tyler whined, What if I have to spend the rest of my life on all fours looking up people’s noses and sniffing dog butts?” Dundee laughed. “It’s really not so bad. But, we’ll figure it out tomorrow, Buddy,” said Dundee. “After all, we’re both pretty smart, right?” Dundee rolled on his side and slipped his arm over his friend’s warm body.
​
Tyler nodded his head before settling in. But he wasn’t so sure anymore. The pitter patter of the rain sounded peaceful and he drifted off to sweeter dreams.
​​

​

Happy 4th of July! Tyler and Dundee have been busy watching fireworks; I hope you've had a wonderful day celebrating Independence Day as well!

We saw lots of  boys and girls with their dogs at the fireworks show which made me wonder: If you got switched with your dog, do you think you might like to be a boy or girl again? How would your life be different if you had to stay a dog forever? What would you do? How would you feel? 

Chapter 10 "Late Afternoon"

Tyler sat on his haunches and tried to figure a way out of his dilemma. Just then, the familiar groan of the school bus got louder and louder and stopped on the corner. There was no doubt it was THE bus.

Using his nose he inched open the screen door and ran as fast as his four legs could carry him. One by one, the children got off the bus. Kevin and Dundee were the last two to get off. While Dundee was struggling with his backpack, Kevin bent over to greet Tyler. Kevin scratched Tyler’s chin and asked, “Wanna dance?”, but Tyler ignored Kevin. Instead he jumped onto Dundee and whined. They both stood there and hugged each other a long time.

“You guys are so weird,” said Kevin as he headed for his house. There was the far off sound of thunder. “Look at the sky,” he said looking back. “It’s so gray. Maybe more rain is on the way, Tyler. Guess baseball practice will be cancelled again. See you tomorrow.” 

He never noticed that Tyler and Dundee sat on the corner and huddled against each other. Evan as the wind picked up and the raindrops began, they sat there hugging each other. It started to rain harder. “We’d better get home,” said Dundee. They shuffled towards home. 

“Oh, Tyler,” Dundee began. “I missed you so much. But being a human is wonderful! I love all the colors. Mrs. Duncan is nice. Jessica is so pretty and kind. But she doesn’t like kisses, so don’t worry. She thinks they’re yukky.” Tyler smiled, his tongue hanging out as they picked up the pace.

Dundee continued. “Cafeteria food is great! And there are more squirrels in the playground than I have ever seen around here. Although I couldn’t figure how to hold a pencil, couldn’t do math, and struggled at the water fountain, I don’t think anyone suspected I’m not you.” "Great", whined Tyler. "Well, actually, I kind of enjoyed being you for a day. You run so fast and everything smells so interesting. Guess that’s what happens when your nose is so close to the ground." He stopped to sniff an unseen something in the grass. When he pried himself away, he continued, "Mom really loves you."

“I know,” Dundee replied. “I can’t wait to see her and give her a hug.”
"Gotta tell you", said Tyler, "I’m kind of jealous. Thought I was Number One with her. Maybe I’m Number One on two legs and you’re Number One with four legs. Sure. 
And something else – doggie biscuits aren’t so bad. Sleeping in the sunbeams shining through the window sure feels good. But…I think I want to be a boy again." “Uh oh,” said Dundee under his breath.

Tyler continued walking, his tail wagging. "I miss not being able to read. I really do want to learn math. I might even let Jessica kiss me." “No worries, there, friend,” said Dundee as he rolled his eyes. “You know, Tyler, I loved going to school today. There are lots of neat smells there that we don’t have at home and so many interesting things to do. I didn’t understand them all. But what I loved best is finger painting. To see the world in color, wow! And, you know, I almost caught a squirrel for Mrs. Duncan.”

"No way!" Tyler shook his head sideways and grinned a big doggie grin. “It was such fun.” Then Dundee paused. “But it sure is tiring being a human. I’m exhausted. There are so many things to learn. It’s too hard. Maybe, I do miss being a dog. Is it OK if I want to be a dog again?”
​
The two friends looked at each other, reading each other’s minds. “What if that never happens?” said Dundee breathless. 
"What if you are stuck being a boy and I am a dog forever?", Tyler moaned his dismay.

Dundee stared into the distance and patted Tyler on the head. The sky opened up and it poured. “Quick, let’s run home.” 
Tyler and Dundee tried to run between the raindrops but their feet felt like lead. They trudged along with heavy hearts at the dilemma in which they found themselves. By the time they reached home, both were soaking wet. It didn’t matter.

​The two friends both were crying tears that blended with the raindrops on their faces.