The Gift

Posted by Rob (Velveetaville, United States) on 25 August 2008 in Miscellaneous and Portfolio.

When I was younger i had a dog named Daisy. She was the first dog that was going to be just mine and I was so excited when the day came to go get her. I remember that cold blustery day that my folks took me to their friends farm to go get her like it was yesterday. When we arrive at the farm, we walked across the barn yard and went into one of barns. As we walked in I looked around, among some hay was a mother dog and several puppies. The pups were all over the place. I remember thinking "I have to choose one but I want all of them, how do I choose?". Then from out of the bunch came a puppy that walked right up to me. Well, that was it, there was no choice. I figured she picked me so I had to take her home.

Daisy from the start was the best dog. She never gave me or my family any problems, well nothing out of the normal puppy things, and she was easy to train. I don't remember her ever being on a leash and she never strayed too far away from me. We went everywhere together. When ever you saw me you saw Daisy, when ever you saw Daisy, I wasn't too far away. I was always happy and out going on the outside but actually a tortured sole on the inside. Daisy kept me going when times were ruff and always had a way of making me feel things would turn out. Don't ask me how, but she did. She helped me make it through my childhood and somehow kept me going through some pretty dark times. She was that one great dog in your life.

I used to believe, if you find that one dog, that one great pup in your life time that you are truly blessed. Finding that one dog that is perfectly tuned into you, that can prop you up when need you it, make you laugh when your blue, bring you warmth in your heart at the time when your faith in love is at it's lowest... that perfect being that keeps you going no matter what. I just figured, it's impossible to get that in more than one pooch... well, I was wrong.

I left home when I turned 18 and circumstances kept me from bringing Daisy with me. She was the last dog that I was blessed with for many years. I always wanted another pup but it just never was meant to be. I met many dogs over the years after I left home and the short time I was around them I always felt this simple warmth and joy. A feeling that I could never describe enough for anyone to understand. I hoped that there was going to be a dog for me at some point but didn't know if or when that would be.

Nine years ago that dog came into my life. It was another cold day and much like that day in the barn when Daisy came to me, Mille arrived in my life. Right from the start she was "The One", that special dog that comes into your life right when you need them most. Wow, how lucky could one person be getting another dog so special.

But wait, what about Max? He was my special boy. And what about Buddy? He's stolen my heart so quickly and completely too. They are all so very special and posses all those wonderful traits so my theory, was flawed, right? What I finally realized is that all dogs that come into your life bring you exactly what you need right when you need it. Daisy came to me to show me what friendship was. Mille came to me to show me how good life can be when you have someone to hang out with and share your deepest thoughts with that has no opinion on the matter. Max came to me and showed me what a little patience and kindness can do and how much love and devotion you can receive because of it. Buddy came to me to show me that you can love again even when you have suffered a terrible loss and you think you could never imagine opening your heart up for that kind of hurt again.

So, in my life, just when I needed it most, a gift has been bestowed on me. A gift of love, understanding, nurturing and fulfillment, a gift of wonderment and awe, a gift called Dog. How lucky am I?

Cheers,

Rob

Please visit my additional blog Captured Light for more non-canine images.

"Every year, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters; some three to four million of these animals are euthanized because there are not enough homes for them."

Note: Statistics are from the Humane Society of the United States website.

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