Finding My Puppy Love

I’m still reeling from my bout of summer love. It all started on a fateful afternoon in July when we met. I’ll admit, it was a little awkward when we first sniffed each other out, but before long, Billy was stuck in my head —and even jumping into my bed. He was such a stud; And, with the exception of the occasional accident, Billy was nearly always on his best behavior. As sometimes happens, he was a little hairy for my taste, but he made the perfect cuddle buddy. I guess you could say it was a classic case of puppy love.

For my dog Billy and me, it was love at first lick. From the moment we locked eyes, we were literally drooling over each other (trust me, I had a stain on my shirt to prove it). We’d snuggle under the covers and stay up together into the wee hours of the night. We’d go on jogs and picnics (after all, he was a natural outdoorsman). And it wasn’t all just frivolous frolicking. Like any great romance, Billy’s love has changed me.

Each morning this summer, I was awoken up by the sound of Billy’s tail vehemently whipping the side of his crate. Try as I might to ignore it, with my short nerves and his small bladder, I’d soon be out of bed and embracing the morning. With no innate understanding of the wrong side of the bed, Billy would wake up each morning charged and eager to take on the day, and I quickly grew accustomed to the smell of kibble before coffee. Before long, not only had I surrendered my New York Times to the bottom of his crate, but I was also soon waking up early…and even working out. Each morning, we would venture to the trails, where I would hike with my new companion. Yet like any gal who’s fallen too far in love, I soon became Billy’s bitch. I found myself picking up after him constantly, giving him sponge baths, and showering him with gifts. I sometimes even found myself stooping to his level while I played on all fours.

Still, after leaving Billy to return to Harvard, I suffer from separation anxiety. From the sound of my cooing into the phone, I wouldn’t be surprised if my roommate was convinced I had a baby back home. Yeah, I’ll admit it, I do speak to Billy every now and again (although he never texts me back). After all, the end of our summer romance pretty much fit the typical archetype; we tearfully said our goodbyes, recalling the glorious summer months, and declared our intention to reunite one day in the (near) future.

Now that I’m back at school, I’m starting to get a little lonely. Dogs and their steadies in the Yard evoke flashbacks, and I can’t help but yearn for the simple days of summer. My friends marvel at how obsessed I’ve become. Last week, I even bought Billy a new sweater at Urban Outfitters. I’ve turned into “that girl”—you know, the one that can’t stop talking about her significant other. And so, I’ve decided that we need to take our relationship to the next level; Billy and I should be reunited here at Harvard.

When I proposed this to my roommate, she went on a tirade about how that’s a violation of Harvard rules —and more importantly, a violation of... well... any semblance of common sense. After all, what would I do with Billy on those late nights studying in Lamont? What about my propensity to sleep past my alarm clock —how would I have time to walk him in the morning? I mean, Lindsay, c’mon…

Still, I yearn to take on Harvard with a dog… and not only because I think it would be fun to mimic Elle Woods. As it is, I have only a plant to water, and while it occasionally blows in the wind as if to wave in my direction, it hardly greets me with a sloppy kiss when I return from class each afternoon.

Strange as it may seem, I’m desperate for more responsibility. With section, weekly response papers, and a multitude of other commitments, responsibility can really be a bummer. Billy, however, is the best responsibility I have ever had. I’m even convinced he made me more productive; after all, they say a healthy relationship brings out the best in you. This summer, Billy forced me to wake up early, work out, and get a jump on my day (often, by jumping right onto my bed). Plus, he’s the cutest commitment in town.

While we might be on a “break” for the moment, I can’t help but yearn for what feels like my long-lost love. Just as our relationship was starting to get serious (he would even come back to me when I let him off his leash!), I had to set him free. But trust me, Billy’s more than just a summer fling. In the meantime, before we’re reunited, maybe I’ll just get a fish. Hey, everyone’s entitled to a rebound.

— Lindsay P. Tanne ’11 is an English concentrator in Adams House. She still yearns for the dog days of summer.