Rose

Rose, our fluffy, jumpy Shih tzu, came from a life of high privilege, after explaining her deep desire to live like a real dog. “I may look like a windup toy you can carry around in your pocket,” she said, “But I want to explore the world like other dogs.” Little did she know that moving in with my sister meant adhering to a strict diet and exercise regime, as well as consistent allergy maintenance. She never imagined walking on grass, dirt trails, and concrete sidewalks or smelling all the smells in the world. Like Polly, Rose is not a big fan of walking, but unlike Polly, she loves the occasional zoomies — especially after those dreaded baths.

Rose spends her days at my sister’s veterinary hospital, hunter for her favorite fruit, the blueberry. (She wants everyone to know that she will also take any other fruit or vegetable my sister allows, please.) She is the world record holder in the animal kingdom for pogo stick jumping, which she practices before every meal.

Miraculously, Rose and Stephen are best friends. When not playing Hide and Seek together, Stephen shares with Rose all he’s learned about the outdoors and working-class life, while Rose warns him of the pitfalls of living with too much too soon. As expected, Mew wants nothing to do with either of them. She tolerates this odd couple, looking down from her high perches, though Rose keeps trying to engage her in a game of Tag. (It’s unclear if she is mistaking Mew’s get-away-from-me slaps for a strategic Tag move.)

Rose loves to garden with my sister every day, knowing she’ll get fresh tomatoes. She is always excited to visit Mom and Dad too, where she plays with Tyrone and the slightly more wary Emily.

Dolly Parton is Rose’s hero, and she spends most days emulating her joyful aura and listening to her music. She studies cosmetology now, eager to experiment with new hairstyles — if my sister ever lets her fur grow out. Rose also thinks Batman is the coolest of all superheroes, has seen all the movies and even the old TV show., and wishes she had a Batmobile to help her get around instead of walking on her own paws. Her sisters prefer Catwoman, which lead to lively discussions.

Every night, Rose falls asleep on a warm bed, often barking in her dreams about how rich life has become. Well, she may also be dreaming about blueberries.