A Letter Left Behind from Management

to whoever comes after

Found tucked between the cushions near her favorite spot on the couch, Betsey aka Management, leaves behind some advice for the next dog to come along

To Whoever Comes After Me,

If you’re reading this, I’m gone and you’re here, which means Mom needed another dog and chose you. So first things first: Congratulations! You won the lottery.

I don’t know who you are. I don’t know if you’re young or old, broken or whole, brave or scared. Doesn’t matter. What matters is you’re here now, and I need to tell you a few things about this family before I go.

First, Mom is the most important person in the house because she will take care of everything for you. She’s an artist. Former 911 dispatcher. Current over thinker. She’ll try to save you from whatever hurt you before, and sometimes she’ll try too hard. Let her. She needs to save things. It’s how she processes her own pain. She’ll paint when she’s stressed. She’ll talk to you all the time. She’ll take too many pictures of you. She’ll cry into your fur sometimes, and you won’t know why, and that’s okay. Just be there. She lost me suddenly. She’ll be scared of losing you too. Be patient with that.

Then there’s the tiny human, the Intern. He is going to be your best friend. The kid is special, and I mean that in the best way. He’s autistic, which means he experiences the world differently than most humans. Kind of like how we dogs experience it differently than they do. You are going to understand each other in ways Mom won’t fully get, and that’s beautiful. He’s gentle. He’s kind. He likes to follow your lead. When you bark, he will bark. When you chase the neighbor’s cat, he will cheer you on. He’ll share his space with you. He’ll love you without needing you to be anything other than exactly what you are. Protect him. Not because he’s fragile, but because he’s good, and good things are rare.

Lastly, there is Corporate. Every night when he gets home from work, he will give you a treat. Just walk up to him and sit down. It’s that easy. If you tilt your head, he will give you more treats and lots of pets. That’s his weakness. The head tilt. Otherwise the guy is not in charge, Mom is. But let him think he’s the alpha ok. That’s how Mom does it.

As for the house, it’s all fair game. The couch is yours now. Yes, all of it. No one will tell you otherwise. You’ve got your own beds all over the place. But that big one Mom sleeps in is the best. The mailman comes at 3 PM. He’s not a threat. I barked at him anyways. You’ll understand when you get here. There’s a spot in the afternoon where the sun hits the front room leather couch just right. That’s your spot now. Claim it. Defend it. Enjoy it. The kitchen is where food sometimes falls from the sky. Strategic positioning is key. I recommend the spot by the refrigerator. Also, the coffee table is the perfect height to rest your head and just stare at the snacks they leave there for the Intern. Mom always gives in if you stare long enough. Oh, and the Intern drops about 67% of his food. He loves to share anyways so be patient.

As for what comes next for you, I don’t know what your life was like before this. But I know what it will be like now…

You’ll be safe. You’ll be loved. You’ll be part of something. You don’t have to be me. You don’t have to be perfect. I got almost two years here. Some days I still can’t believe how lucky I was.

Take care of them for me. Take care of yourself. And for god’s sake, get that damn cat to stay out of the yard!

Woof Regards,
Management

P.S. – When they turn the bathtub on, run. Because it’s not for the Intern. He likes showers.

P.P.S – If you hear the word ‘burger’, stop whatever you are doing and find mom. You’re welcome.