I don’t think anyone who reads my blog would doubt that I love my dogs—my Mastiff puppy in particular. He is the baby of the bunch, so of course, he gets preferential treatment. I have been known to share my snacks with him (he loves carrots, cheese, oranges, and other assorted healthy treats), often share my bed with him (much to my husband’s chagrin) and take him with me whenever I can. He is essentially my newest child, albeit a furry one.

But love is not without sacrifice. I doubt anyone would argue that point. And I have had to give up a few things in order to have my beloved Mastiff pup (my almost eleven month old Mastiff pup.)

For example, I’ve had to give up clean clothes.

It’s not that I don’t wash them anymore; they just don’t stay clean. I’m lucky to get a few minutes of comfort in my clean dry clothes before I get my daily mastiff hug, saturating my pants leg with his first drink of the day. Later in the morning, he will eat his breakfast just before wiping his mouth on my leg again, or maybe this time it will be my arm. Either way, I will have a few crumbles of dog food embedded in the fabric like a brand.

I really don’t mind. It actually reminds me of when my kids were little. Only then, it wasn’t slobber and mushed up dog food, it was milk, or juice, or a chewed up cookie.

But I suppose there are a few things I could do without…I just can’t decide which is worse—discovering Indy has drooled on the toilet seat AFTER I’ve already sat down, or having him come see me while I’m sitting there, only to drool in my underwear. I don’t know what it is about the bathroom. I suppose I am a captive audience to his need for attention. Moms just never get any privacy…even in the bathroom.

Especially if you’re the mom to a big drooling dog.

Oh, and to answer the question, how do you love a mastiff and stay dry? You don't.

Until the next time…I’ll be doing laundry…again!