Remembering the day I brought home my first new puppy still warms my heart. As a 5 year old child, the simple joy that Collie/Beagle brought into my life is still imprinted on my soul, even though the details are a bit fuzzy after so many years. So began my passion for these four legged creatures.
Why? If you have to ask you probably will never understand why dog lovers are head over heals for their pets. The unconditional love of our "Rovers" and the comfort they bring far outweighs the messes, the barking, the licking, and the constant vacuuming required.
After losing my beloved Golden Retriever, Nikki who I raised with my children, I thought my heart could never take another loss. I proclaimed that she would be my last dog. Three years past from that tragic day, when my husband announced to me me that we had to get a dog. I was a little bewildered since I thought the topic was closed. He explained that he had suffered enough embarrassment at my greeting and petting and hugging dogs before friends, neighbors or anyone walking down the street. He had watched me talk to dogs in cars next to ours at stoplights or simply driving down the highway. "It is time", he announced, "to give you what your soul longs for."
That next Christmas Eve Jade, a beautiful chocolate Lab, entered our lives. I was elated. A year later, our son's black lab, Alley, joined our family. Then, not feeling complete, Raz, a handsome Golden Retriever/Lab pup came home with our daughter.
It runs in the family! I believe this unique passion is passed from mother to child as I see my children yearn for this companionship. Our daughter and son-in-law just adopted the cutest beagle, our first grand-puppy.
They make me laugh, they listen to me cry, they lick my tears, they encourage me to play, they comfort me when I'm down, and they soothe my soul. How? The only explanation I have is that God loves us and has given us each a way to live life fully. The companionship of an animal is, I believe, a heavenly gift of which I am eternally grateful.
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