As the youngest child in my family, my leaving for college meant the beginning of a new chapter in my parent's lives: for the first time in 25 years, they would have no children running around the house. I have often joked that this was the best thing to ever happen to my parents as now they could do things they might not have been able to do before. Between spontaneous weekends spent in Miami, to my mom joining an "empty-nester" club with other moms in my town, the possibilities have been endless. But, those weren't enough. In June, right before my senior prom, and senior recital, and graduation, in the mist of potentially the most chaotic and emotionally overwhelming time in my life, my parents decided to get a dog. Yes, that's right. After years and years of beginning, my parents got a puppy right before I left for college. My parents literally replaced me with a dog (and no, no one even asked me for my opinion on what type of dog we should get)!
After spending my summer with the newest edition to my family, Ollie, I fell in love with him. I mean, it was impossible not to. He was full of excited energy and cutest face, and he knew it too.
While, at first, I was hesitant to him because of the fact he was literally replacing me and my mom started talking in a weird baby voice around him and spelling out every single word even though dogs don't understand English contrary to popular belief, I am now grateful my parents decided to bring him into the family. He definitely caused some drama at first, but now every time I come home for break, I know at least one of my three brothers is excited to see me; he always pounces on me the very second I walk in the door.
Growing up, the only pet I ever had was a fish. Well, I actually had two of them, but they weren't very exciting. With Ollie, I have a companion. When I'm bored, I know he's there to chase around the house or play fetch with. Now that I have him, I feel even more deprived that I didn't have a dog growing up. Just like my brothers were, Ollie is a built in playmate, except he doesn't get mad at me or beat me up.
And while he sometimes take the attention away from me and he is without a doubt the favorite grandchild, he brings joy to my life and my parent's life. Technically, because of Ollie, my parents aren't really empty-nesters, they still have an energetic, youthful life running around the house, needed for attention and to be fed. I guess my mom has stepped down from the empty-nester club -- what a shame.
