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March 26, 2020

The Only Dog For Me?

Penny is not the only dog for me. The math is straightforward. I had a dog before her. I brought home a dog after her. Less straightforward is my conviction there can never be, “the only dog for me.” Because if that dog did exist, I had him. Now that

Penny is not the only dog for me.

The math is straightforward. I had a dog before her. I brought home a dog after her.

Less straightforward is my conviction there can never be, “the only dog for me.” Because if that dog did exist, I had him. Now that Eko’s gone, believing he was the only dog for me means believing every other dog must live in his shadow.

How do I avoid the cruel temptation to make impossible comparisons which no dog could live up to? My secret is that I have an incomparable dog. 

Penny is not incomparable in the traditional superlative sense. Penny is incomparable in the deepest sense of the word. She is unable to be compared. She is a creature so unique as to make comparison irrelevant.

It wasn’t for a lack of effort on my part. Before I even brought Penny home I was comparing her to Eko, daydreaming about how she would match him. But Penny went on to defy whatever comparisons, expectations and demands I had for her, thus earning her moniker, “Mayhem”. We butted heads as my idea of the dog I wanted clashed with the reality of the dog she was.

Penny humbled me into the realization that acceptance must always come before expectation. When Penny was a puppy I made the terrible mistake of not offering her that full acceptance. It wasn’t until I embraced her – all of her – that our relationship blossomed. When I stopped trying to separate Mayhem from her quirks, wild energy and relentless disposition, I discovered a dog so much greater than the one I imagined.

It was a lifesaving revelation. Had I forced Penny to exist only as an extension of Eko, his death would have made her life a bitter reminder of my loss. Instead, Penny was the phoenix who rose from the ashes. Her fiery and unyielding temperament, which I once resented, became my salvation when I had no motivation to get out of bed on my own.

In the years since, Penny and I have become inextricably bound. Closer to each other in some ways than I ever was with Eko or could be with Zero. Because while Eko adored Emily, and Zero fawns over my children, Penny remains singularly attached to me. 

Why? I’m not entirely sure. Even after all this time together, Penny and her motivations often remain a mystery to me. And though I may not fully understand her, we have come to a full understanding about the terms of our relationship. Terms summarized thusly –

I, Penny, Monarch of Mayhem, Demon of Demolition, offer no compromise. I will test you, challenge you and defy you. But love me, and anyone else who tries those things will swiftly regret it.

Some get a guardian angel, I got a guardian devil.

For six years now Penny’s stood steadfast between me and the world. Problems knock on my door, see Mayhem’s home, and suddenly remember they have an appointment elsewhere. 

In lieu of lions, Penny keeps the darkness of life at bay. My diminutive, wiry creature might seem overmatched, but I’ve lost count of the adversaries who’ve mistakenly underestimated her. She may not meet the Rhodesian Ridgeback standard (or any standard, really), but Penny is a pure distillation of the breed’s ancient and audacious hunting instinct. The more impossible the foe, the more recklessly she charges after it.

As a young man holding her for the first time, I couldn’t have dreamed of what an ally my hellhound would be. Because life is a series of impossible foes – there is no overcoming it, no winning, no ultimate victory. 

It’s a hard truth which leads many to despair and surrender. There is no way around it and no running from it. But the whispers of the devil on my shoulder helped me discover another path. The one straight forward, into the darkness.

It’s a path where Penny has taught me to defy fears, reservations and odds. A path which forces me to spend less time nervously calculating and more time joyfully pursuing. Along the way I’ve discovered the bliss of chasing the things I’m afraid of.

These days, with two young children, I have more to worry about than ever. It’s easy to become paralyzed by the swirling uncertainties ahead. This is why I appreciate Penny and her wild wisdom now more than ever.

Today, on her 6th birthday, my dainty demon remains as intractable and inscrutable as the day I brought her home. But I am so grateful she remains mine. This is a birthday Eko never made it to. I’m grateful for the gray in her muzzle and the gray in my beard which she is undoubtedly responsible for. We have won and lost so much together, but most importantly, we have persisted. When I was unable to move forward on my own, Penny was more than happy to drag me along.

It’s funny. If I’m honest, I can easily imagine Eko and Zero living with other families. Loyal and regal, Eko could have made anyone fall in love with him. With his big head forcefully nuzzling your face until you relent, Zero can quite literally force anyone to love him. 

But stretching my imagination to its limits, I can picture Penny and her feral ferocity nowhere else. Well, I can imagine her on the five o’clock news for various reasons, or leading any number of revolutionary wars, but those scenarios are infinitely more plausible than her living peacefully in another home.

Thankfully, for Penny, me, and public safety, Miss Mayhem is all mine. Now and always. 

Penny is not the only dog for me, and that’s a wonderful thing. Because what I’ve discovered is that Penny is the dog for me only. A one time creation of the universe, delivered to the one man who could learn to fully embrace her nature. 

Bound together, more tightly than ever, Mayhem and I continue forward into the darkness. I do not know what awaits, but if you do, as a birthday present for my girl, please let them know Penny’s coming. It’s more fun to give the terrors a sporting chance before I set Miss Mayhem loose!

Comments for The Only Dog For Me?

  1. I’ve got the same species… at the begin I thought it will be fair sharing so I have phenny and mark has nelly… but karma is a beach and now I have two and mark is … well… still mark… LOL

  2. Eve says:

    OH wow she is 6 now? I remember the post where you wondered what you had gotten yourself into by bringing her home as she was definitely a WILD child/pup! Hope Ms Mayham and you have many more years together like me & my hound who is yelling for me to open the door for her!! Hope you all have a great day!

  3. Karen Carter says:

    I adore Penny..of course, I have never met nor am I likely to however her grace, her determination, her feisty unique nature shows me some small snippet of hope that my equally feisty and unique natured RR may still have a chance ..at almost 2 yrs old, to become the force that Penny is. He has no malice but is protective and chaotic..a force feild of movement causing unintentional harm to me, my hubby and anyone within 20 feet really. He is my first RR..a challenge without doubt but my life would be smaller and without quality without him. Happy Birthday Miss Mayhem..enjoy xx

  4. Wendy Hoadley says:

    Guardian Devil! ❤️

  5. Max Davies says:

    Happy birthday Penny. And don’t worry, the white on our muzzles is just an illusion…
    Kali

  6. Cynthia Marquez says:

    You have totally nailed it AGAIN! I have Ridge, the male version of Penny, and luckily for all of us, he’s my 4th ridgeback. I rescued him at 8 months without 1/2 rear foot, without an ounce of civilized behavior, unchecked prey drive and unbelievable energy. He had no idea that when I was speaking it had anything to do with him. Luckily, Buster, his guide dog, showed him that if could figure out how to listen, he would get treats.

    Fast forward 8-1/2 years, we have a bond that is indescribable. no one else would ever want Ridge. He’s not good at figuring out consequences, needs constant medical attention including acupuncture for his extreme arthritis caused by his missing 1/2 rear foot. We just removed a malignant melanoma that popped up literally over night. But in spite of all, I celebrate the grey in muzzle. I didn’t think we would ever make it this far.

    I just thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting words to all the emotions that Ridge brings to my heart.

  7. Happy Birthday Penny Mayhem! We always enjoy seeing and reading about all your antics. You sure are a unique and special girl.

  8. Mark Austin says:

    Being a ridgeback owner I can attest to the stubbornness of the breed… but along with that ridged ridgeback attitude comes amazing qualities of love and affection. Penny is more that I could have handled, even though we had a female with much the same characteristics she became a loving dog after about 2 years. Our present addition is a 14 month old male who already is 120lbs! hes rambunctious wild and playful, but really tries to be a good boy, much more so than the females who tend to be more rebellious and well… bitchy. We look forward to all your videos and sometimes go back and watch reruns! Keep up the great work Will …
    Cheers!

  9. Kismet says:

    Penny must have some terrier in her.

  10. John Maginn says:

    Hi Will, we love your blog, you have a great family, Emily is beyond compare, your kids are awesome, Zero is a classic RR. Then there’s Penny. I loved her antics and perky defiant look from the beginning. We are close with our breeder so have occasion to be around many RR’s and of course, we have our own, Nellie, Princess of Charleston. I’m sure that all of our 4 legged family have personalities, but recognize Penny Mayhem to be in a class by herself. That video of her doing sprint circles at your beach is the stuff of legend. Fate brought her to you and no one else. Know that we so enjoy your story and wish you and your family good health in this challenging time. Hug Penny for us, she is an entertainer and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

  11. My GBGV Life says:

    For some people there may only be one dog for them in their life and they never have another, but at our house, we are all so very loved, even those that have passed are never forgotten. We may be the same breed, but we are all very similar, yet completely unique and Mom loves each of us so much for who we are. Life goes on, and most likely there will be more dogs in Mom’s life, but we will all have our own special piece of her heart. Happy Birthday, Penny, you wild child you!

  12. Deb Cooper says:

    I have Penny’s “twin”, Maple Mayhem. She gave me no choice but to return-enter life after losing Ivy. Maple somehow added 10 years to my life but also took 50 years off my life as I again live like my teenage crazy. I say she was sent from my mom and grandma in heaven because Maple is precisely the dog I needed to suck me me back into being me….. which is funny, bad, adventurous, and fearless. I live life.

  13. Carol says:

    Pedro is a huge pain in the rear. He destroys everything, counter surfs, chases my cat, eats poop, barks at the wind, steals footballs and soccer balls and drags me all over the neighborhood, unless he decides he is done and lays on the sidewalk. I question why I have kept him daily, it usually boils down to no one else would have him. He would be an animal control statistic. I put up with him because he is my best friend and I think I was pretty lost without him, and I think he would perish without me.

  14. Lynn Dean says:

    Somehow in this mystical, magical world, mayhem came into your life and brought just what you needed at just the right time.
    Today, in celebration of Penny’s birthday, I will defy fear and keep the lions at bay!

  15. Marla Hieshima says:

    Every time you talk about Penny and Zero, I think of my two, Chi & Kibo who are so similar. Chi turns 8 yrs. tomorrow and we have had the best of times and worst of times together just from the mayhem that he causes yet I can’t imagine a dog more loyal to me and me alone. The kicker is that he is so intelligent that he can really annoy others! Kibo is just like Zero. The biggest, kindest and most protective of those he loves. Both dogs so different yet both dogs so special. We are so lucky to have these limit testing and amazing children. Happy Birthday to Penny!

  16. Vicky says:

    Happy birthday Miss Mayhem!

  17. Ryan B says:

    I love your posts, but this one REALLY tore at my heart. Thank you for your wisdom. Keep writing.

  18. Happy birthday, sweet Penny, Doyenne of Destruction. We have watched with sheer joy at your mayhem madness and smiled with each new episode.

  19. Paddy lundquist says:

    Everytime I see the Allstate ad with Mayhem acting as a dog, I immediately think of Penny!

  20. Happy Birthday Miss Penny! As always Will, your posts bring a “smile to my dial”. I am always so happy to see something from you in my inbox!
    Cheers mate!

  21. Helen Davies says:

    Happy birthday Penny Mayhem
    So much like our 2 year old Tala.

    Over the years we have had the pleasure of sharing our lives with 9 Ridgebacks. Each is a unique character from our first, Penny ( wise matriarch wise beyond her years) and Sammy ( old english gentleman), Charlie (salesman in the nicest outgoing way), Emma( a bubba hound very cuddly), Harry ( lay back gentleman), Lucy ( a Bridget Jones), Purdie ( a free spirit), Leo (a rescue, at 5, a slightly reserved, affectionate anomaly ), and Tala ( independant to the point where for a year she was almost exclusively selectively deaf, but is transforming into a funloving, affectionate, love everyone, beach bunny).

    When we lost any of our hounds, we felt devistated,and thought that no other dog could replace the one that we lost. No other dog could…….but each dog was so unique and special that it was easy to open your heart and love and value each dog as the individual as the are……..

    Its a pleasure to live with ridgebacks, each is special!

  22. John Arvin says:

    Happy Birthday Penny! As usual, I’m late 🙂

  23. Awwww…. Happy Birthday, P. You be you. Keep taking care of your dad so he can take care of your family! We love you.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake and Mom

  24. Tennent says:

    My first Ridgeback was like Eko…sweet and calm….my second…is like Penny….and his name is Angel no less…who was a holy terror…he is now 11 and starting to slow down which makes me sad…Angel has all the Ridgeback traits in Spades….he even thinks puddles when I use my car to make splashes are a creature….

  25. LOUISE WALLACE says:

    …beautifully put…exactly what i went thru three & half yrs ago when we lost our little Elsa suddenly to liver cancer at a young 18mnths…our “new” girl Hettie the Yeti was 10 wks when we adopted her almost 2 yrs later…i had the hardest time bonding with her…until recently…even tho we still had Zimba (Elsa bro) & had taken in a really needy starving stray Ozzy the malamute at 4 mnths right after we lost our lovely girl…Hettie is a Bearded Collie/Olde English & a very diff character…but also similar to Elsa in her crazy personality …& i think i almost resisted bonding with her cus of that usual fear of getting close once again after such devastation & heartbreak…& having bin thru it so many times before…rescuing pups of all ages sizes & breeds for 40 yrs can really put alot of holes in ones heart…but you hit the nail on the head…cus each one that comes into our lives becomes the only dog for us…they are helping so much for all of us that share our lives with them at this strange scary time in our human world…dont know how we would ever cope without them…stay safe & thnx again for your wonderful sharing….

  26. R. Brown says:

    I love your Penny girl. She is amazing. Happy birthday to her!!!!

  27. Eve Uhlmann says:

    Happy birthday beautiful girl! RR’s have a unique & special connection to the heart; even when we lose them & the sorrow is too deep & dark, they are somehow still with us

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