an ode to my dog
many people don’t understand the depth of my relationship with my dog. the other day, some people asked me if i were excited about moving down to DC and i said i was except the fact that i would be separated from my dog. i was explaining that with humans, namely my mother and my sister, i could just call them and asked them how life is, etc., but with dogs you need that 1on1 facetime or they start to… i don’t know… you just don’t feel the same closeness.
they looked at me like i was crazy, laughing awkwardly saying “really..?” and then someone else jumped in and said, “who are you talking about?” and i said, “my dog,” and they did another “haha…cute…” but inside they’re really saying “you’re nuts.”
people who don’t have close relationships with their pets just don’t understand. our pets become our adopted children. you think about them and you love them as if they are an extension of your immediate family. although my dog can be a pain at times, she has brought so much love and joy to my home.
one day i walked in my house from an absolutely horrible day. it was late and although my dog always greets me at the door, she is very particular about where she sleeps. once she picks a spot to sleep it is impossible for you to move her. so, when i come home late that means she’s already chosen her spot on my sister’s bed to sleep for the night. yet, that night in particular, she saw my face and decided to follow me to my room and as i laid crying on my bed, she sat right across from me, staring. she doesn’t often see me this upset and i think she was confused. i decided to take a shower before i turned in for the night and as soon as i left my shower, i see her sitting right in front of the tub looking up at me. i realized she had been waiting for me. i was surprised, she normally doesn’t hang out in the bathroom when i shower but i was so preoccupied with what happened that night, i didn’t really think about it too much. as i walked into my room, she jumped on my bed, seemingly waiting for me to join her. the minute i laid down, she pounced on me and started licking my face. then it dawned on me, my girl was trying to make me feel better. i then understood and appreciated the ability that dogs have of understanding the complexities of human emotion. i went to sleep feeling loved, peaceful, with my baby girl by my side.
this is one of my fondest memories. it’s hard enough for humans to comfort a friend in anguish but my dog did it so faithfully and lovingly. there will never be another one…i am proud to say, she is one of my best friends.
