As I mentioned in a previous blog post Target was always such a serious dog. It wasn't until almost a year later that I realized Target's seriousness was due to large amounts of anxiety and started to work to fix it. However in that time the severity of Target's seriousness was balanced by Comet's silliness.
Comet was reaching his teenager phase. He didn't develop an attitude like Target did but, in its place he developed long gangly legs, a goofy expression and a willingness to please. It also became apparent very quickly that after he gained his speed (and he had speed!) he never went anywhere slowly. It was never the velocity that caused the issue it was the brakes.
It wasn't unusual for Comet to charge our front door, take all three of the steps down into our apartment in one enthusiastic bound, then completely lose control, skid all the way across the kitchen floor and slam into the coffee table. It happened so frequently, that I was worried he'd hurt himself and moved the coffee table back to give him more space to stop.
In the winter Comet would be running full speed around the backyard, leap up onto the icy picnic table, realize his mistake and slip-slide across it like a cartoon character. Without traction to stop himself, he'd just fly right off of the other side with a goofy yelp.
If Target had been the one to bail off the picnic table in such an ungracious manner, picnic tables would become the ultimate enemy and he would bark or growl at every picnic table that might attack him for no reason for at least six months.
Comet on the other hand, shook himself off, looked at me like "what just happened?!" And took off to run around and potential try it again five minutes later.
Comet's quirkiness wasn't reserved to his uncoordinated adventures. From when he was very small he used to love watching TV. Cartoons were the best, Beauty and the Beast was his favorite.
If I put it on he would immediately park himself in front of the TV or laptop and wag away.
(I know there are lots of mixed reviews about parents who stick their kids in front of screens, but damn, if that didn't give me a few moments of peace!)
Target, would normally sleep next to Comet while he watched. It was a good vantage point for a deaf dog who loves his family. Comet was occupied and easy to watch out for and when Comet was still young, if he was there I wouldn't be too far away either. Target's "sheep" were well contained and if the opportunity presented itself, he had no issues snoozing on the job. We did have a new puppy in the house after all.
Comet's love for Beauty and the Beast is absolute and unwavering even now that he's no longer a puppy, except for one thing. Or should I say, except for one human/turned household appliance:
Mrs. Potts.
Comet hates her! He tolerates her, grudgingly until she starts to sing and twirl during Be Our Guest and then all bets are off! It's like she stole his last bone, told him he was a bad dog and was responsible for his neuter, all rolled into one animated nightmare.
I can only imagine that he still suffers some PTSD from the time I forgot about his weird idiosyncrasy and he walked into the bedroom while I was cleaning the fish tank, absentmindedly singing along with Mrs. Potts!
(There were probably some enthusiastic dance moves to accompany the sing along, poor dog!)
His tantrum is so melodramatic that I have to be on my toes and fast forward through that part of Be Our Guest and heaven forbid Tale As Old As Time reaches his ears.
I've given up ever trying to figure out his hatred for Mrs. Potts and it doesn't seem to be that weird for most people that Comet loves Beauty and the Beast. The movement, dancing, and singing would be appealing to a sensitive creature.
But, part of me always looks to the magic that exists in animals and that part of me isn't so sure about all this logic. As silly as it sounds I can't help but wonder if my goofy little Disney character, Comet, doesn't look at that movie and envy a creature that looks like him, but learns to love like a human.
I hope one day he knows that dog love is unquestionably better.
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