Jumping the Gun -or- The Case of the Impatient Optimist

My husband is quick to see success, I would say, before the outcome is assured. I don’t know whether this characteristic carries over into his professional life as a doctor, but it certainly governs the way he treats Pettigrew’s gastrointestinal condition.

So, returning home from a walk with Pettigrew in which all went well, my husband will proclaim Pettigrew is cured. I, on the other hand, am more cautiously optimistic and say the general trend in Pettigrew’s illness is toward improvement, but day-to-day, there can be wide variability.

Despite being on a restricted diet for months with no “people” food allowed, Pettigrew continues to be ready, expectant, but not desperate, whenever there is a chance of a pot or bowl to lick. His demeanor suggests that of course you will give it to him; it’s just the natural order of things.

This quality of Pettigrew’s, paired with my husband’s eagerness to see one good day as a sign of a return to perfect health, begs the question, perhaps the reason Pettigrew continues to expect bowls to lick is that he has not been kept to the no “people” food diet.

Photo 1: Watchful waiting.

Photo 2: Moving closer.

Photo 3: Aargh. Pettigrew gets a tidbit.

Could the bad days that follow directly on the heels of good days be explained by the perfect storm pairing of my husband’s and Pettigrew’s personalities?

I despair of learning the truth. They have also mastered the art of looking innocent.

My husband takes umbrage and is preparing his rebuttal. I say a picture is worth a thousand words. Stay tuned. #releasehismemo