We have a dog.

He's a wiener dog named Oscar. He was my dog when I was growing up. My family got him when I was fifteen so he just turned a stately ten. He is categorically, empirically and scientifically my favorite dog in the world.

As a child I wanted a wiener dog starting at the tender age of 3. My mom would read me Whistle for Willie and The Snowy Day, two picture books by Ezra Jack Keats, and the dog featured in the book was a black and tan dachshund. It was a long twelve years to wait until I reached fifteen and Oscar was added to the family one snowy Christmas.

He's getting old now but he can still be pretty frisky when he sees his leash in my hand or when it's meal time. Most of the time though he just likes to cuddle. So if you're ever come to visit us in Columbus and are in possession of a lap (most people are these days) get ready to be snuggled.