Tommy & Bear

Tommy & Bear

By

Tracy T Agnelli

My new family brought me home to their house from the animal shelter.

The carpet is so soft and squishy under my paws. I love to lay and roll around on it. This is better than any grass I’ve rolled in. I only rolled in a little bit at the animal shelter. Who is this smaller person?

Why did he call me dirty? I’m not dirty, said Dog.

Why doesn’t he want them to take me back? What is his problem with me, said Dog.

I’m so cute, fluffy, and lovable. I thought everyone would love me. Why does this smaller person named Tommy not like me?

Oh goodie, they are going to give me a name.

Tommy wants to name me dirty, gross, or ugly. I’m none of those things. What have I done to make him not like me?

I’m going over here where I’m loved. Dad is on my side. He thinks I’m cute and cuddly.

Thor, Zeus, Hercules. I thought mom would come up with better names than that. I pray they give me a good name.

Duke, Bear, Maverick, or Chewbacca. Dad, where did Chewbacca come from? I like the name Bear.

Mom agrees with me, no Chewbacca.

Way to go kid. He thinks I look like a Bear. I have to show them that is what I want.

Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!

Yes, I got a cool name.

I’m going to go show Tommy some love for giving me a cool name. Why is he running away from me? I will give my love to mom. She will always take my love. That's it behind the ears. OH, the belly is good too.

What is that smell? It smells wonderful.

Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!

It is stew that is cooking. I have to get some of that. How do I get up there to get some?

What does mom mean the stew isn’t for me? What do I get to eat? It better be as good as that stew smells.

Tommy is not pay attention to me. I will surprise him by jumping on him.

Why did he push me off of him? Why is he washing his hands and wiping his clothes off again? I’m not dirty.

Tommy said I have germs. What are germs? I don’t understand. Why doesn't he like me? I’m so new that I haven’t had time to be bad yet.

Yes, listen to your mom. Come play with me, pet me, or at least throw a ball for me.

Where is he going? I have to know.

Slam!

Yelp!

That hurt. What have I done to make him not like me? I know he needs me, so I’m going to sit by his door, and whimper until he lets me in.

Arf! Arf! Arf!

Mom is calling me to give me a treat. I am a good dog.

I don’t know what this is, but it ain’t no treat. Give me some stew.

Mom doesn’t know what to do with Tommy. She really thought I would help him get over whatever he has. Dad agrees, but thinks they should give it a little more time. It is only the first day.

Mom tells Tommy dinner is ready.

Stew!

What do you mean I cannot sit at the table? Why am I over here eating when all of you are at the table? I want to be at the table with the stew. This doesn’t smell like stew to me. This doesn’t smell good at all. I will sneak over, lay on the ground, and put on my sad face with my eyes. That will get them to give me some of that stew.

What do you mean I cannot have people food that I have to eat my dog food. People's food smells so much better. I bet it tastes better too. This stuff is not tasty at all.

Mom and dad tell Tommy that he has a couple of new chores. One is to feed me, and the other is to pick up my poop in the back yard. Tommy told them no way will he pick up the poop in the back yard. He didn’t want me in the first place, and he shouldn’t have to pick up that discussing stuff or have anything to do with me. How do I get Tommy to like me?

Mom says it's Tommy’s night to do the dishes. He fills the sink with water, but he doesn’t turn the water on like mom and dad does. He uses a paper towel to turn it on and off. Mom asked Tommy why he turned the water on and off like that? Tommy replied that he told her before that the knob is dirty and has germs. That mom and dad turn it on to wash their hands when their hands are dirty and turn it off the same way without using a paper towel. He says she knows this. Tommy seems mad. Tommy puts on gloves to do the dishes. How come Tommy doesn’t like to be dirty or have whatever germs are on him?

Tommy left his door open to his bedroom. I’m going to quietly go in to see what he is doing. Tommy is on his bed reading. I would like to jump on the bed to see what it feels like, but I’m too small right now. I will lay next to the bed and listen to him read about Harry Potter.

Yelp!

Tommy told me sorry for stepping on me. He didn’t know I was there. I must have fallen asleep listening to him read. That is the Tommy I know, yelling at me to get out of his room that he will have to clean his room before going to bed due to the fact that a dirty, germy dog was in his room. He went and grabbed the vacuum. After vacuuming Tommy washed his hands again.

Mom and dad tell Tommy good night. As they sit watching a big screen, mom tells dad that she doesn’t think waiting to get Tommy help is a good idea since he is using gloves to do the dishes and paper towels to turn on and off the water? Dad says Tommy is getting worse, and doesn’t know who to call. Mom went and got something called a laptop to google what Tommy has. They say he has OCD. They both thought OCD was being neat and orderly. Mom cannot believe there are so many types of OCD. Dad said we will call to get him in tomorrow.

I followed mom and dad to the bedroom where I whimpered to get on the bed. I was then shown my bed. It was huge for me. I had so much space, but dad told me I wouldn’t have this much space for long. That I should enjoy it while I can.

Mom made breakfast for everyone, but they all got pancakes. I don’t know what I got. I know it was not pancakes. They smelled even better than the stew. Mom and dad told Tommy they were going to try to get him in to see someone today about his issue with being unclean all the time. Don’t be surprised if we pick you up early. Tommy didn’t think he had any problem, however he said okay. They didn’t tell him that they thought he had OCD. Whatever OCD is.

I got scolded when they all got home for not going on the paper, and for chewing dad’s slippers. In my defence the slippers tasted better than dinner last night. Mom asked Tommy what he thought about what Rachel the therapist explained to him about his condition. Tommy said it seems pretty clear that he has Contamination OCD, and it is pretty bad. It is good to catch it at this stage before it gets worse. The kid washes his hands every time he turns around. How much worse could it get? If I washed my paws that much my tongue would fall off. Mom said Rachel advised that Tommy should start out twice a week, but this might take a couple of years. It is all up to Tommy. I don’t care what he does as long as he plays with me and likes me.

He started being nice to me within the first couple of times of going to see Rachel. By the time Tommy could pet me without washing his hands I was big enough to put my head on the kitchen table. It is nice to have him pet me. He is a totally different kid, and if you don’t believe me talk to anyone who knows him. Mom said the other day that this is the first time he has ever brought a friend over. I don’t know what therapy is, but I’m willing to try it if I get some stew to eat.