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August Challenge - Being Human

By
Real Estate Agent with Wayne M Martin

Nearly since graduating from college I have been involved in some niche of real estate. At times I have been considered by others a workaholic, maybe even by my wife of 40 years.

I have always been opposed to pets of any type because they inhibit your freedom. My wife worked with a lady who lived on acreage and had all kinds of animals, including two yorkies. We visited often and they were very cute. My wife said she wanted one now that my son was away at college. Even my son thought it was a good idea.

On day I arrived home from work to find a yorkie in my house. He was a rescue dog from the Yorkie Rescue League. Not your normal little yorkie, but one a bit oversized with a snaggle tooth. He must have sensed that to stay he would have to win me over. He followed me everywhere  that evening and when I sat down for an evening libation, you guessed it he was in my lap. The game was over, he became the king of the house and stayed for years until we had to put him down because of a brain tumor. He became my dog to feed, take to the vet, take to the groomer and walk at all times of the morning and evening. 

Not many outside my neighborhood knew we had a pet. When advised he was not in good health, we consulted a dog heart specialist who cleared him for surgery for an an impacted tooth. Actually, the real problem was a rapidly advancing brain tumor diagnosed by another doctor.

Cosmo is in heaven now but never forgotten. He was my secret and joy. Hard to admit for a guy known as not being pet friendly! Now we live in downtown Chicago in the concrete jungle so a pet is not in our future! Don't tell anyone. Cosmo had a way that I still don't understand but he took over from the start!

Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Wayne, what a cute story about Cosmo, and he found you are a softy at heart when it came to him!  

Aug 26, 2017 09:40 AM
Wayne Martin

He had a way!

Aug 26, 2017 09:53 AM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

I bet your Yorkie was a tenacious walker. They are smaller and fearless and like to get out there. Thanks for sharing your story Wayne Martin  

Aug 26, 2017 09:57 AM
Wayne Martin

Fearless outside, A lover inside the house!

Aug 26, 2017 07:18 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

The right dog finds a way to fit in your heart, life and home.

Aug 26, 2017 12:12 PM
Wayne Martin

He did for sure!

Aug 27, 2017 11:08 AM
Jane Chaulklin-Schott
TEAMCONNECT REALTY - (407) 394-9766 - Orlando, FL
TeamConnect Luxury Homes - Orlando, Florida, 32836

Wayne Martin, I loved your real life story and only wished it had been longer - it was so interesting and beautiful.  I hate  to let anyone know this, but I just am not pet-friendly.  Funny thing is that as a kid, I went to my godparent's farm almost every weekend and all through the summer months.  I had so many favorite pets and even convinced my dad to buy me a goat after reading the Billy Goat Gruff storybook in 1st grade.  Then, I grew up and lost the feeling...  I do keep this secret normally so I do not hurt the feeling of my friends who love their pets - almost like their own children.  The only thing I can figure out is that all my pets were baby chicks, little kittens, little puppies, my ponies, baby rabbits....When they grew up like the goat my dad got for me, they just were not as much fun.

 For instance, my goat ate my godmother's clothes off the clothesline, and worse, kept butting his hard head against my thigh.  Dad took my goat back to the guy he bought it from and had to pay the guy $25.00 to take it back - Hahaha - That was exactly what my dad paid the man to buy it.  My little Billy Goat Gruff fantasy cost my dad $50.00 way back when ~  :)

Aug 26, 2017 05:11 PM
Wayne Martin

It is all about your exposure. Mine was little but he was special!

Aug 26, 2017 07:20 PM
Jim Cheney
Saint Francis Property Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa, CA
Rincon Valley Realtor 707.494.1055

A closet Yorkie fan.  I've read about your type.  I was the same way Wayne Martin pets made it difficult to go on vacation, and were more of  a pain in the ass then they were worth.  That all changed when we got Bagel.

Aug 26, 2017 09:18 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I know I have days where I feel challenged to be human lol. So this is kind of a piece of that puzzle in the photo

Aug 26, 2017 11:33 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Wayne it was painful for me to read about Cosmo, and the way he got into your heart.......it is never  easy.... the tough choices we  have to make for quality of life decisions, Endre

Aug 26, 2017 11:40 PM
Wayne Martin

He was definitely one of a kind!

Aug 27, 2017 06:19 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Wayne

I find it interesting how an animal can become such an important part of the family.  After seeing that photo I can understand why he was king. 

Aug 27, 2017 04:10 AM
Wayne Martin

He left no doubt!

Aug 27, 2017 06:19 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Good morning Wayne.  You never know, one day you may return home to find another Yorkie waiting for you.

Aug 27, 2017 05:31 AM
Wayne Martin

Not likely, but you never know!

Aug 27, 2017 06:19 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Cosmo is such a cute little guy and I can tell that he brought a lot of good to your life.  I am so sorry to hear about the brain tumor that he developed.  I know he is watching over you!

Aug 27, 2017 06:53 AM
Wayne Martin

He was a character for sure!

Aug 27, 2017 11:10 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Wayne --- things can and do happen when we least expect it.   I'm sure Cosmo knows how much you cared and still care --- thank you for sharing your story.  

Aug 27, 2017 08:36 AM
Wayne Martin

He had his ways!

Aug 27, 2017 11:10 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Wayne- I loved seeing this side of you. I grew up having a dog most of my life, but after we lost our last Brittany, Larry and I couldn't handle getting another dog and going through another loss. But I do love dogs and still miss my Brittanys every day. 

Aug 27, 2017 10:16 AM
Wayne Martin

Not likely we will have another dog, but not ready to say never. If we do, definitely another rescue dog!

Aug 27, 2017 11:11 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Wayne - that is a cute story.  When I married my wife she came with a Yorkie named Louis.  He was a little 5 pound cutie.

Aug 27, 2017 10:22 AM
Wayne Martin

Grant, Cosmo was 14 pounds of muscle!

Aug 27, 2017 11:12 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Oh my. I can totally understand how Cosmo's jumping into your lap opened your heart and I can also understand how much you miss him!

And I understand your thoughts about having pets. They can constrain your movements/plans/etc.

Aug 27, 2017 11:06 AM
Wayne Martin

He was a treasure even when he was bad!

Aug 27, 2017 11:12 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

What a sweet story, Wayne and who knew you didn't want anyone to know you had a secret love?!  

I was in Uptown Charlotte last weekend at a housewarming party for one of my clients and as we were unloading food and wine from our cars, we noticed tons of Uptown residents walking their precious poochies - big and small!

So, you could still have another little Yorkie - even in Chicago!

And, too funny about the dog following you - our dogs and cat do that with Ray too! They know I love them unconditionally but, have to win over the heart of my hubby - and they never fail to do so!

Aug 27, 2017 01:22 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I've never been a pet person. I have nothing against animals, I just don't want anything to do with the shedding and drooling and care and feeding of said animals. I loved your story and how little Cosmo won your heart and I'm so glad you shared it!

Aug 28, 2017 11:55 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Wayne

Cosmo will always be part of your family.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Aug 28, 2017 06:27 PM