The author has a strong fascination with dogs and would prefer their company over people. They already have four dogs, the legal limit in their city, and wish they could have one more, ideally a Newfoundland. The author's "dog error" began when they rationalized that getting a bigger, docile breed like a Great Pyrenees would help their boxer bond with the two other dogs, despite the boxer's history of fighting and injuring the other dogs. Though their husband forbade getting another dog, the author secretly contacted a rescue society and used a friend as a reference to adopt a Great Pyrenees, traveling an hour to pick it up without permission.

1. My Dog Error<br />I have a fascination with dogs. I’d rather be with my four dogs than with people. If four dogs weren’t the household limit, by city ordinance, I’d have one more. In fact, the fifth one would be bigger than the last. I’d love a Newfoundland.<br />My dog error began with my decision that my boxer needed a friend. This was flawed reasoning because the boxer fights with the two older dogs. Her fights consist of bloodshed and deep wounds. But I rationalized that if I got a bigger, docile bred, they’d bond. I decided on a Great Pyrenees, a difficult breed with multitudes in rescue society.<br />My husband is resigned to my dog obsession however, he forbid me to get another dog. Sneakily, I contacted the regional Great Pyrenees’ Rescue Society. They called my best friend, who’s never owned a dog, as a reference. She gave me a good reference, but called me immediately. “You’re nuts. Why do you need another dog? What does it look like?” <br />I got the dog, without permission. I left after work and traveled an hour.<br />To be continued…<br />