For the Love of Dogs

I grew up with dogs-Poncho, Hippie, Yippie. They were the kind of dogs that roamed the neighborhood and ate cans of no-name, whatever was on sale, dogfood. When they wanted to go out, we opened the front door and let them out and they would come back at will, usually full of dog ticks and adventures we’d never know about. They often befell some terrible fate because of their roaming. I can’t remember ever visiting a veterinarian with them unless there was a dire emergency. We loved them of course and they were part of many childhood memories.

We went for a long spell without dogs because my daughter was extremely allergic to them. Just being near a dog would initiate sneezing and wheezing and a lick would mean an itchy red face and hives. As much as I loved dogs, I learned to avoid them in order to keep her safe and healthy.

Upon her urging we investigated ‘hypoallergenic’ dogs and got our first one, ‘Sneakers,’ a Morkie, almost 16 years ago. ‘Sneakers’ opened our hearts in a way I didn’t know was possible. We did uncover that there really isn’t a dog that is completely hypoallergenic, but we learned to work around any reaction that might come our way. Feeling that Sneakers might enjoy a companion, we got another Morkie, ‘Bear’, six years later. Bear arrived about ankle height but soon became the dominate dog, letting Sneakers know that things around the house were surely going to be his way. Bear’s arrival demonstrated so clearly the distinct personalities of each dog. Bear is a ‘where’s the party?’ kind of dog and Sneakers is a ‘who’s having a party and didn’t invite me?’ kind of dog.

Bear will eat anything in sight, race for any morsel that comes his way and guard the kitchen if any food is left on the counter. If a stray piece of chicken finds its way under the stove, Bear will guard the stove for hours. Sneakers is not so concerned about food and has been known to turn his nose up to the likes of deli roast beef, pork roast and just about any canine or human delicacy. 

At the very sight of leashes and harnesses that I take out for their afternoon stroll, Bear quickly does an about face and takes off hiding under the ottoman or behind the sofa. At the same sight Sneakers gets so excited he runs towards me enthusiastically wagging his tail and smiling ear to ear. He can practically put his own harness on, lifting his foot through the straps in anticipation of any new adventure.

I prepare their own food each week and visit the vet more regularly than I would like to admit. They have taken a place of great importance in our family and are the focal point of love and levity. Always happy to see you, greeting you each time you return home with a champion’s welcome; wagging tail and an abundance of kisses.

I imagine any dog owner will attest to the heart-opening experience dogs bring to your life. It is a love that is so unconditional, forgiving, potent, dedicated, and healing. It is as if the connection and love lives on some deeper plane-where words need not exist-where communication is telepathic and hearts are intertwined.

Dogs stand in during the times that you feel unlovable. They care how you’re feeling, stay by your side through thick and thin and ask for so little in return. Within the evolution of consciousness, I have come to realize that dogs don’t just go to heaven, they come directly from heaven and remind us of all of the love that exists in the world.

Sneakers will turn 16 in a few short months, and Bear will be 12. I can see age creeping in and know the inevitable may be approaching. As much as I may have dragged my heels about their arrival, their inescapable departure carries with it all of the heartbreaking emotion imaginable. I may have hemmed and hawed at vet bills, late night outings, food preparation, loss of sleep-but I will never regret or deny the tremendous gift they have been in our lives. You may have heard some folks glibly say, ‘Oh, he’s just a dog’, but what does that even mean? Truth be told there could be nothing more noble than these gentle beings that remind us of all that is good in the world.