Did I just personify?

So, I have a dog, Ella.  This is not a new development or revelation.  Trust, me I didn’t just wake up to discover the fur ball sleeping at the end of the bed.  I am just merely setting the necessary background information.

 Tonight, as happens every night, my dog came to me with her ball, dropped it, and whined.  Perhaps, whined is the wrong word.  She talked in doggese.  By that, I mean she growled, grunted, and head turned to get my attention.  For people who have ever had the pleasure of watching her, they are definitely familiar with it.  It’s simply how she communicates.   I didn’t teach her.  In fact, I think she taught me.

So, as I threw the ball, because she will continue to “talk” to me until I do.  I realized that I think Ella has a fear of linoleum, and perhaps it might extend to all hard flooring.  I say this because I threw the ball through the kitchen and down the hall, all have some kind of hard flooring.  As she trotted down the hall (believe me when I say there is not running), she took a slightly longer route that included walking on every bit of carpet, rug, etc.  Now, I want to believe that it is a fear of far surfaced flooring, and not that my dog is OCD.  However, the more time I spend with her, the more I believe.

So, as all of this ran through my head, I came to the conclusion that I’ve been personifying my dog.  It’s true, I have, and I think we all do it to an extent.  Not necessarily with my dog, but other things.  Ella is not Rin Tin Tin, or Lassie for that matter.  (If I fall down into a well, she wouldn’t get Timmy.  I think she would just take a nap.)  She’s just my dog that sleeps about 23 hours a day.  I want to make her more human than she really is, and you know what?  I’m cool with that, it makes me like her even more.  It may be a little crazy, but hey, who isn’t?

Now, my question to you, dear reader:  what beloved thing in your life do you personify?  What makes it special?  It doesn’t have to be a pet.  It might be a car, rock, or even lawn gnome.  Let’s hear it.  I’m intrigued to know what others do.