At a year and a half our dog, Sadie, isn't so much a puppy anymore. However, she still looks like she could be and some days we wonder if she didn't just get stuck in puppy-hood somewhere along the way. For those of you who haven't met her, she is a rescue dog. We got her through an organization that takes in dogs from high kill shelters in the South, fosters them and then finds homes for them here in the Twin Cities. She and her litter were found without parents, so we really aren't sure what is in her mix. She has the colorings of a German Shepherd, but since she's stunted at 40 pounds there was some small dog mixed in there somewhere.
I would venture to say, while she has her meek moments, she is what they call a high-confidence dog. She is spunky and energetic. She hates cleaning and house projects. There is nothing worse than when the vacuum cleaner and broom make their appearance from the basement. Sadie is intelligent and loves a good training challenge. Hard work is her middle name. Walks and runs are much more fulfilling if there are a few sticks along the way that can be cleared out and moved along. Her best days are spent with plenty of time outside stalking squirrels, and chasing the deer from the yard. Her personal mission in life is to destroy all those annoying squeakers that are placed in those goofy dog toys and to rid them of their stuffing. Most of all, she absolutely adores Nick and I.
There probably isn't much more in this world that can raise your confidence quite like the loyalty of a dog. I am always reminded of how long it takes to walk to the end of the driveway to get the mail and return to the house when Sadie greets me at the door as cheerfully as if I'd been gone for the day. When I take her outside to play, and she waits with joyful anticipation for her toy to be launched in the air, the look she gives me makes me feel like I am performing the most important work of the day. Her satisfied sigh as she collapses on the floor after a good walk/run remind me of how satisfying a good workout can be. She watches me whenever I get dressed, and if I don't end up putting on scrubs for work, her tail wags so fast it looks like she is going to take off the ground. Finally, when she is called into the house from outside the determined look she has as she runs towards me just makes me smile.
Her cuddliest times of the day are in the morning right after she's woken up and after a good long run. During these times she wants to sit on the floor next to me. When I grab the blanket and sit down, she sidles up next to me and slides down to the floor, so there is absolutely no space between us. She lets out her best happy grunt and settles into a nice nap.
We were warned when we bought our house to not rush into the dog ownership trap, but we couldn't resist. I think we made it about a two weeks after we moved in before we started looking, and about two weeks more before Sadie was officially in our house to stay. Sure, we each have days where the responsibility of a dog feels a little burdensome, but she has worked her way so deeply into our "family" that we really would be quite lost without her.
Sadie reminds me everyday of the simple pleasures of life. She never complains about her meals, even if she gets the same thing everyday. To her food is nourishment and nourishment is life. Her excitement over a car ride, even when it may end up being a trip to the vet or groomers, reminds me that adventures are the spice of life. You never know when it could lead to an off-leash exploration of new territory. To her, a toy is a toy. She doesn't care how expensive it is, as money means nothing to her. A newfound stick in the yard usually provides better entertainment than the fancy squeaker toy that she destroys within minutes of receiving it. Materialism is not the name of her game. She also finds pride in her work. When she is asked to perform a task and she completes it, you can tell that she finds tremendous satisfaction in that.
Most notably she finds joy in loyalty and being together. Obviously, for dogs their survival depends on loyalty. If she doesn't pull her weight, follow commands or take direction from those that care for her she won't survive. She has to trust that we will make decisions that protect her, and when she does her needs are provided for. I am no different. I couldn't survive very effectively without the guidance and wisdom of my support network. Finally, nothing makes for a happier dog than when both Nick and I are home, at the same time. When this happens she prances around like she has won the lottery; a wonderful reminder of how special togetherness is.
Around this time of year, I sometimes get overwhelmed with the abundance of parties and gatherings that fill our calendar. I am an introvert and usually get a little anxious about being over-scheduled. However, with how busy our lives are it is a wonderful blessing to be able to have a time of year where we can focus on re-connecting with family and loved ones. I grew up abroad and I didn't get this opportunity every year. Nick has family all over the globe, and in the past I have too, and time together becomes extremely valuable. I think Sadie is absolutely right being together strengthens bonds and reaffirms us of the community we are a part of, that is definitely deserving of a good prance.
No comments:
Post a Comment