Loki, the Dog of Mischief

Back story:

I was so lonely after my husband and I split up. After being married to someone for over 25 years, being by yourself is more than just a culture shock to the system. I went to stay in my best friend Jimmis' childhood home. The house was much bigger than I was accustomed to. After a few short weeks of getting settled in, the feeling of being in solitary confinement was more than anyone could bear. So I bit the bullet and decided to get a puppy. I did not care what type of dog he or she was. I just needed something or someone in my life and would never leave. Be loyal and faithful to only me. Luckily one of my dear friends came by one day with a surprise. As I looked in the box there was the most precious, adorable face I had ever seen. I immediately picked him up and knew he would be all I would need to make it through the day. As I held him his name just came to me. Loki! I will name you Loki, the God/Dog of tricks and mischief.

And so the adventure begins…

The joy Loki brought into my life was needed more than I realized. Loki actually helped put a smile back onto my face and a small bit of glime in my eyes. There were very few places I would go and Loki would not be by my side. When I needed to go somewhere I would grab his bag filled with food, treats, bottled water, toys and a blanket. Then we would hop in the convertible and off we would go. Loki was riding in my lap with his nose stuck up in the wind. I was warned by my friends how I will regret allowing him to set in my lap while I was driving. Jimmi would always say, “ Now Bev, he is going to get bigger. Little Man Dog is not always going to be little.” I would look at Jimmi and shrug my shoulders as Loki continued to sleep in my lap from the car ride. Little Man Dog was Jimmis nickname for Loki ever since he was a puppy. He always came running anytime he would see her. Jimmi was his Meme. They had a bond different from what Loki and I shared but still just as strong.

Driving with Loki

Being an online student at Arkansas State University was stressful and time consuming. My studies took up a majority of my time. Since Kirt and I split up I was having a hard time concentrating and completing my work on time. I could not stay focused. My mind would wander off into Kirts World (or so I called it) thinking of what he may be doing or who he was with. I missed him so much. Over time, the anger began to dissipate and I started to miss the little things, like making the coffee in the morning. Who knew that was such a chore!

Many days cooking a meal for myself was out of the question. So, Loki and I would jump in the car and go grab something to eat. It did not take him long to realize what the drive thru was all about. FOOD! Of course, Loki always got chicken nuggets. They were his favorite. Loki always had a nose for sniffing out food. Anytime Jimmi would come over she would bring Loki take out from somewhere. She would always say, “ Oh yes, Little Man Dog, I have you a snack.” She would take out the brown paper bag with Loki’s surprise. It did not take long for Loki to associate a paper bag and FOOD! At the time, Jimmi and I both did not think anything of it. For one second did I ever think bringing in take out could become a problem. Oh how I was wrong!

A few weeks went by, Loki had settled in and was comfortable in his new home. I was trying to get into some type of routine with Loki but I was still scattered from the break up. I was still having a very hard time adjusting. One day I had a neighbor come by to bring me some items I left over at her house by mistake. I am not sure what they even were now but I do remember Loki’s reaction. As soon as I closed the door, I took the brown paper bag over to the kitchen table. Out of nowhere, like a lightning bolt, Loki came running and jumped up with his nose in the air reaching for the bag. He began whimpering and whining wanting the bag. I laughed once I realized he thought there was food in the bag. I picked him up explaining to him the bag did not have food in it. I immediately walked to the treat jar and gave him a snack.

At night I would sit at my desk and Loki had a pillow on the floor next to my chair with one of his many stuffed animals beside him. He would sleep while I studied. When I would take a break I always picked Loki up and we would go into the living room, sit in the rocking chair. Sometimes he would go to sleep but mostly he would lay his head on my shoulder. I would talk to him and tell him how much I loved him and what a good baby he was.

One morning my phone rang early. I picked up my phone and my heart sank. It was Kirt calling. He asked if I could meet him and pick up some of my things he had kept for me. There was no way on earth I would miss the chance of seeing him. I instantly hung up the phone, looked at Loki and told him we were going bye-bye. I could not wait for Kirt to meet Loki and for Loki to meet Coco. I could not wait to see her. Loki helped feel the void of Kirt and Coco; nevertheless, Coco held a special place in my heart. As we took off to meet Kirt and Coco the anxiety was building. Loki did not do anything different. He rode sitting in my lap with his nose to the window watching the cars whiz by.

We pulled up to the park where Kirt was waiting. I pulled the car in the parking spot next to him. The butterflies in my stomach were going ninety to nothing. I got out of the car with Loki in my arms. When I approached Coco she went crazy. She immediately noticed Loki and was trying to jump up to get a closer look at what I was holding in my arms. Kirt scooped her up and put her in the truck as we set in the car. I introduced him to Loki. They both took right up with each other. I knew Kirt had to be a part of our lives. I looked in Kirts eyes and knew he felt the same way. Especially when he was looking at Loki.

As Kirt held Loki we talked about how things have been while we have been apart. I knew I just wanted him and Coco to come home. I did not want to be away from either of them any longer. As the sun began to set I knew it was time to head home. Kirt agreed to come to the house this evening and see how things go. We could talk more and see if there was a way to make this relationship work or throw in the towel for good. We gave each other a kiss and a hug (which lasted for an eternity). I went over and gave Coco kisses, took Loki from Kirt. “ I will see you in a bit?” I asked with hesitation in my voice. He immediately said,” I promise I will be there as soon as I go grab a few things I need.” We blew each other kisses, as smiles danced across both of our faces. I looked down at Loki and said, “ This is going to be perfect!” The moment the words came out of my mouth I felt something warm in my lap. Then I realized, Oh No! Loki just peed all over me. I grabbed him and sat him in the passenger seat as I pulled over. Trying to clean myself the best I could I glanced over at Loki, I could not tell what expression was on his face. For a moment I thought it was a smile. Just then, his facial expression changed to a worried, sarcastic look tethering to a smirk. Could he have soaked me with his pee on purpose? No more than I got the words out of my mouth he barks followed by a whine then a jump into my lap in the driver's seat. I looked at him and said, “ Oh no, we are not doing this.” I tried 3 times to set him in the passenger seat but I received the same result. I finally threw my hand up and said, “I will deal with this later. We got to get home. Kirt and Coco are on their way.”

To be continued……..