Furry Companion - Entry 18
D20.M5.Y19.
To Spiti Mas
Writing Challenge - entry 18
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to have a dog. I'd frequently befriend local strays and sometimes even attempt to bring them home, but it never worked. I'd make friends with all the neighbors dogs and would play with them happily but still wanted one of my own. My parents would occasionally let me bring in a smaller pet. There was a rabbit, a guinea pig, a duck... but the dog was always out of the question. It's not that they hated dogs - they didn't, but they had always insisted that apartment is no place for a dog. If we had ever gotten a house, they'd have allowed me to have a dog. That day never came.
But one day, in a fit of spite and adoration, I brought home a fur-ball that has been my companion for nearly ten years. I had great interest in Shar Pei. All my research suggested that Shar Pei were the breed for me. Being a first time dog owner, more than a few people suggested that to be a terrible idea. The consensus was that Shar Pei need a lot of skill to raise and can be too much for someone with no experience of raising such dogs. I chose to completely ignore these words. However, at the time, I was broke and couldn't afford a Shar Pei.
While searching the ads, I stumbled onto a farm, about three hours away from me, that had just had a litter of Shar Pei mix. The Australian Shepard bitch that belonged to this particular farm, had a promiscuous moment with the neighbors Shar Pei and a litter happened. The farm owners had no interest in keeping any additional dogs around the farm and decided to give them all away. I contacted them and shortly received a flood of photographs of the six newborn puppies. One in particular stood out to me. It looked very much like a Saint Bernard pup. I arranged a visit with the farmers to meet the pups and take a closer look at them all. When I got there, we got the introductions out of the way and I jumped into the kennel and played with all the pups for what seemed like hours. Then it was sunset, but before I left, I fell in love. Not with the Saint Bernard look-alike that I originally liked in the photos, but with a blonde. She and I clicked instantly and it was love at first sight. The puppies were still too young to leave their mother, so I paid a deposit and made arrangements with the farmers to come and pick her up in the following weeks.
Over the years, nearly a decade actually, we have been inseparable. She followed me everywhere (except the Middle East). We lived in many different places together, traveled together, suffered mosquito swarms together and shared many meals, vistas and seasons. The experience has been life-changing. Being responsible for another living being, for their health, joy and well-being isn't what I thought I was signing up for, but it has made me grow in more ways than one. There is always a thought in my mind the goes to her: Is she fed? Has she been walked and exercised today? Does she need water or playtime? It is these kinds of thoughts have been known to prevent me from staying out all night, or that forced me to go shopping for kibble and poop-baggies when it is least convenient. Most days, it is absolute pleasure ripping my face away from computer screens and taking her for an offline stroll. There are also very many times when I would much rather stay in bed or just not go out because of a blizzard, but there is no room for indulging that sort of thinking when a bladder might explode if immediate action isn't taken. The outcome of this responsibility is this magnificent, smart and well behaved blondie and the remarkable bond that we share.
On occasion, we would be separated for brief periods. During her entire life, the longest we've been apart is two months. Whenever I need to travel somewhere where she cannot follow, it is very stressful for us both. Her biggest stress factor is missing me. I miss her as well while we are apart, but my biggest stress comes from arranging her care in my absence. Over the years, she had some great dog walkers. Some of them would come and live with her while I am away; Others would take her with them to their home. Some of the time, she would stay with my friends or family. My parents are probably our the favorite dog sitters. They also complain about it the most, but in the end they are most happy to do it.
As much as we may suffer and miss each other while we are apart, reunions are always very heart-warmingly emotional, full of strange noises and full-body shivers and shakes. Then there is a brief moment of upset on her part when she realizes "you've gone somewhere and left me behind for all this time". Once that bit is over, we are back to loving each other full-time. In my absence, whoever has the pleasure of looking after her also spoils her to some degree. So, after every one of my solo adventures, magical reunions and period of pouting, we always have to revisit training, particularly discipline training. I think we both enjoy that part as well, even though we both might complain about it. I am pretty confident that nobody really enjoys disciplining or being disciplined, but in training we bond again and we find that it strengthens our relationship.
Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks and I will miss it. She is the most amazing companion that I've ever had the humility to let into my heart and I am very much looking forward to celebrating her existence with her upon my return.
To Spiti Mas
Writing Challenge - entry 18
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to have a dog. I'd frequently befriend local strays and sometimes even attempt to bring them home, but it never worked. I'd make friends with all the neighbors dogs and would play with them happily but still wanted one of my own. My parents would occasionally let me bring in a smaller pet. There was a rabbit, a guinea pig, a duck... but the dog was always out of the question. It's not that they hated dogs - they didn't, but they had always insisted that apartment is no place for a dog. If we had ever gotten a house, they'd have allowed me to have a dog. That day never came.
But one day, in a fit of spite and adoration, I brought home a fur-ball that has been my companion for nearly ten years. I had great interest in Shar Pei. All my research suggested that Shar Pei were the breed for me. Being a first time dog owner, more than a few people suggested that to be a terrible idea. The consensus was that Shar Pei need a lot of skill to raise and can be too much for someone with no experience of raising such dogs. I chose to completely ignore these words. However, at the time, I was broke and couldn't afford a Shar Pei.
While searching the ads, I stumbled onto a farm, about three hours away from me, that had just had a litter of Shar Pei mix. The Australian Shepard bitch that belonged to this particular farm, had a promiscuous moment with the neighbors Shar Pei and a litter happened. The farm owners had no interest in keeping any additional dogs around the farm and decided to give them all away. I contacted them and shortly received a flood of photographs of the six newborn puppies. One in particular stood out to me. It looked very much like a Saint Bernard pup. I arranged a visit with the farmers to meet the pups and take a closer look at them all. When I got there, we got the introductions out of the way and I jumped into the kennel and played with all the pups for what seemed like hours. Then it was sunset, but before I left, I fell in love. Not with the Saint Bernard look-alike that I originally liked in the photos, but with a blonde. She and I clicked instantly and it was love at first sight. The puppies were still too young to leave their mother, so I paid a deposit and made arrangements with the farmers to come and pick her up in the following weeks.Over the years, nearly a decade actually, we have been inseparable. She followed me everywhere (except the Middle East). We lived in many different places together, traveled together, suffered mosquito swarms together and shared many meals, vistas and seasons. The experience has been life-changing. Being responsible for another living being, for their health, joy and well-being isn't what I thought I was signing up for, but it has made me grow in more ways than one. There is always a thought in my mind the goes to her: Is she fed? Has she been walked and exercised today? Does she need water or playtime? It is these kinds of thoughts have been known to prevent me from staying out all night, or that forced me to go shopping for kibble and poop-baggies when it is least convenient. Most days, it is absolute pleasure ripping my face away from computer screens and taking her for an offline stroll. There are also very many times when I would much rather stay in bed or just not go out because of a blizzard, but there is no room for indulging that sort of thinking when a bladder might explode if immediate action isn't taken. The outcome of this responsibility is this magnificent, smart and well behaved blondie and the remarkable bond that we share.
On occasion, we would be separated for brief periods. During her entire life, the longest we've been apart is two months. Whenever I need to travel somewhere where she cannot follow, it is very stressful for us both. Her biggest stress factor is missing me. I miss her as well while we are apart, but my biggest stress comes from arranging her care in my absence. Over the years, she had some great dog walkers. Some of them would come and live with her while I am away; Others would take her with them to their home. Some of the time, she would stay with my friends or family. My parents are probably our the favorite dog sitters. They also complain about it the most, but in the end they are most happy to do it.
As much as we may suffer and miss each other while we are apart, reunions are always very heart-warmingly emotional, full of strange noises and full-body shivers and shakes. Then there is a brief moment of upset on her part when she realizes "you've gone somewhere and left me behind for all this time". Once that bit is over, we are back to loving each other full-time. In my absence, whoever has the pleasure of looking after her also spoils her to some degree. So, after every one of my solo adventures, magical reunions and period of pouting, we always have to revisit training, particularly discipline training. I think we both enjoy that part as well, even though we both might complain about it. I am pretty confident that nobody really enjoys disciplining or being disciplined, but in training we bond again and we find that it strengthens our relationship.
Her birthday is coming up in a few weeks and I will miss it. She is the most amazing companion that I've ever had the humility to let into my heart and I am very much looking forward to celebrating her existence with her upon my return.
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