• Mar. 1, 2006
Begging for Affection
We have a black lab named Ruby, and she loves to be RIGHT next to me all of the time. In fact, she cannot seem to get close enough to me. If she's sitting by me, she wants to lay her head on me; if she lays her head on me, she wants to put her paws on my lap; if her head and paws are on my lap, she leaps her entire 75 pound body to try to sit on my lap; and if she's trying to sit on my lap, she attempts to lick my face all over (I say "attempts" because I draw the line at the slobbery kisses -yuck!).
Just walking with Ruby is exhausting. The entire walk she bounces right next to me (or into me), so she can see me eye-to-eye. Ruby actually looks a lot like Tigger, boinging next to me all the way to the mailbox, and we have quite a long driveway. Even if I am just standing near Ruby, she will sit directly on my feet, as if to say "pleeeeeeeze don't leave me".
Now, I love my dog as much as the next gal, but I have to tell you that it's just way "too much"! Ruby feels needy to me, and it drives me a little crazy. It also seems like no matter what I do, it's not enough for her, and she's always begging for more affection. Sometimes, I just want to avoid her, to not be around her because there's just too much of her for me to handle.
It was just last week that Rich and I were sitting on separate couches watching t.v. together. After a while, I moved to his couch; then I scooted right next to him; then leaned my head on his shoulder; then put my arm around him; and then I snuggled in as close as I could. That's when I felt him pulling away, saying, "O.k., Julie, too much!"
In that instant, something clicked...I'M RUBY! I realized that at times (especially when Rich is about to be gone traveling on business), I become RUBY! I don't view that as a compliment. I've always thought I'm romantic, and Rich is not - but maybe it's just "too much" for him to handle when I become a "Ruby". I can relate. One moment with Ruby like that gets me looking for the quickest exit. If anything, this realization has made me try to tone it down and choose the times to really be romantic instead of being a "Ruby" too often for Rich's comfort.
Today's "Life's Little Moment": Acting needy does not have the same effect as purposefully being romantic. Lord, please help me balance my love for my husband in a healthy way.
Are any of you a "Ruby" with your husband? Do you have any stories or helpful (be kind) advice to share? I'd love to hear from you sometime! Drop me a message!
Love in Christ,
Julie Grosz
