By Frances Bryce, July 30, 2020 — So my name is Jenny. As humans seem to be very interested in lineage and appearances, I will tell you straight away that I’m a female collie and quite a looker. Lassie has nothing on me. My coat is reddish-brown, a couple of white splashes on my body and one on my face, just above the nose, medium build, no flab anywhere. My master brought me home on a trial basis, that’s what he told his wife. With two children in the family, a girl (10) and a boy (4), who were smitten with me right away, I knew I had a better than a good chance of having a permanent home.
My master’s wife who was asthmatic wasn’t too enthusiastic about having a dog in the house; my dander and hair would affect her allergy. She also knew that after the novelty of having a dog wore off, she would be responsible for seeing that all the promises from my training would reluctantly be agreed, and the trial period would be over and she would be taking care of me. I was not allowed to be sleeping upstairs: it was a preventative measure because of her asthma. If my presence in the house did not aggravate her allergy and I was taken care of as agreed, then I could stay. I’m glad she didn’t say how long my trial period would last, I’m sure my female person was surprised that after a few weeks, she became the warden. There was a lot of, “Did you feed Jenny? Did you take her for a walk? Does she have water? Did you brush her today?”
I passed the paper training test after ruining a few thrown out rugs. Graduating from paper and discovering the outside, which made everyone happy. I managed to train my human also. After I was sure of my permanent status I began to take some liberty. The couch seemed like a more inviting place to sleep instead of my bed. That’s where the humans sat and sometimes fell asleep. I waited until everyone was in bed and tested it for the first time. It was more comfortable than my bed. I had found a new resting place. Each night, the family went upstairs to bed. After everything was quiet and the lights were out, I would jump up on the couch for a good night’s sleep. When I heard them stirring in the morning I would jump down and get in my bed. I’m sure the ruse was soon discovered because I heard my female person mention the hairs on the couch and some she found upstairs. Yes, I admit sneaking upstairs when the humans went out just to look around. Dogs are curious too. I would watch through the window and when I saw the humans pulling up in the driveway, I would run downstairs. I was finally caught climbing down the stairs and was banished to the basement whenever they left the house. Don’t feel sorry for me. The basement had been converted to a recreation room and the couch there was almost as comfortable as the one in the living room, so my punishment was much like Brer Rabbit being thrown in the briar patch.
I often think about my trial period, which has lasted more than ten years. Humans say in their wedding vows, “’Til death do us part.” Although that is not always the case for them, that is true for me and my family. The trial has been over for a long time. My verdict is permanence.