Everyone loves puppies.

They are sweet, adorable, inquisitive, cuddly, and innocent. They are loyal companions, full of fun and energy and devotion.

They are also a pain in the   _______.

Our new puppy makes me feel like a crabby old lady. Maybe I ~am~ a  crabby old lady.

But I’m just not up to the 24/7 madness a toddler dog brings.

Our other Labrador is getting on in age, and hubby thought it a good idea to introduce a new pup to the family circle. Past experience has shown that a young dog really does bring some life and spark into your old dog’s life. Adds a few years, as they say.

I’m not sure my older dog is up on all that. She probably wishes she’d run away and not come back.

As for this senior citizen, a new puppy means inside accidents, chewed shoes, 3 a.m. outside pee breaks, underfoot traffic, and more.

She’s in my way. She’s underfoot. She needs letting out every hour and a half. She chews everything. She eats everything.

Oh, you’re retired, some say. You’ve got plenty of time to keep up with a youngster. She’ll add youth to your life.

Well, crabby patty Granny says she’s earned her retirement, and running around keeping up with a puppy is not her idea of fun. It would be like inheriting your grandkids. You love them to death but the younger ones would run you ragged in a matter of days.

Don’t get me wrong. My new puppy is just that — a puppy. She’ll learn. She’ll behave. She will bring all of us years of happiness, friendship, and love. She’s as cute as a button and smart as a whip. 

It’s just that these days I don’t have the energy or mental sharpness of a whip.

I’m more like a well-used broom who’s losing some of its bristles.

Yet we all find a way to survive….