The holidays are over and Marlowe has been in Jordan nearly two months. Since dogs don’t speak English, people always refer all their questions to me. The question I’m now asked all the time is “How is Marlowe adjusting?” If Marlowe could respond, she’d say the following:
“Things are woof-tastic. I’m always able to find some snacks. The weather isn’t too cold and I get to sleep in the bed every night. There are cats EVERYWHERE but my mommy doesn’t allow me to chase them. Everything smells so different. The only complaint is that there are too many little people who try to make me think they can speak my language or better yet, call me over to play with them.”
But that’s HER response. No one ever asks me how I’m adjusting to having a dog again. Don’t get me wrong, everyone knows that I missed my Marlowe terribly over the last year and a half. That said, having her now, full-time, is an adjustment for me. I can no longer sleep in on the weekends as Marlowe is an early riser. I live on the top floor of a 5 story building with a non-functioning elevator. Climbing five flights of steps – multiple times a day is not my idea of fun. But, hey, I now have some pretty toned legs! And the shedding! How quickly I forgot the amount of hair that comes of her body. When she’s walking around, she sheds, when she stands up she sheds…when she wags her tail, she sheds…I sweep everyday just so my friends don’t think I live like a slob.
I love taking her for long walks but lately it’s been raining A LOT – which means muddy paws (and sneakers). I have to hose her feet down before she’s even allowed to take one step into the apt. And the snacking she mentioned above??? Let’s just say that Marlowe is a master at finding all sorts of leftover bones. She knows I don’t allow her to eat food off the ground (and there’s a lot of it) so she’s adopted a ‘grab and go’ tactic. I actually don’t realize that she’s picked up something from the ground until I hear the crunch ‘n munch. There are times when I’m forced to pry her mouth open, stick my hand in and take whatever she’s eating out of her mouth. People walking by are completely appalled when they see this. Dogs are certainly not the preferred pet amongst Jordanians or even in the Arab world, in general. Outside of the westerners, I don’t know anyone who keeps their dogs inside. People are somewhat disgusted when I tell them that my dog stays inside the house all day. When Marlowe and I go for walks, we pass by many homes with beautiful cocker spaniels, golden retrievers, and German shepherds that are kept outdoors at all times. It doesn’t matter how cute or how small, they stay outside all year long – rain, snow, sleet, or shine.
And then there are the neighbors…. Marlowe is a wolf in sheep clothing. She shows NO signs of aggression until you are within 3-4 feet of her and then next thing you know, her hair stands up straight on her back and she lets out a deep growl. If there is a child within 10 feet, I have to use full restraint to keep her from lunging towards them. I got Marlowe when she was already 7 months so I don’t know what may have happened for her to have an issue with little people. She’s now 4 ½ years old. I’m trying to find the appropriate phrase in Arabic to tell the kids in my neighborhood that she’s not a nice dog. So far, I’ve only managed to say that she’s not sweet, she’s not good, or that she has a problem. I don’t think my point is coming across very well as they always respond with a puzzled look.
In the end, Marlowe has adjusted quite well to Jordan and I am learning to adjust to her. But she is my Marlowe. I tell myself that she is sweet….. she is good…. and that she doesn’t have a problem. I have invited her to live in my world, she is part of my family and she is here to stay.
Cute story. I’m glad that Marlowe is settling in and training you!!
My boy Rexford (Rex for short) also employs the “grab and go technique” but I do not pry things out of his mouth because one time I did this and I DON”T want to tell you what I pulled out!