I’m watching our girls as they sleep off their stress.
I picked them up an hour ago from the groomer. They cried when I left them and they cried even louder when I returned.
They were thrilled that I had come back for them.
Home again, I let them out of their carriers and they smothered me with frantic, tail-wagging kisses even though I’m the guy who had left them in cages with a stranger.
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| Cricket and me. |
I really don’t think they even remember that. I can’t know for sure, of course.
These girls need Carolann and me for their very existence. We know that, but they don’t. They don’t think about how they would find food or warmth or safety if Carolann and I weren’t around.
They just snuggle between us in bed.
They lick us their good-night kisses and go straight into a deep stress-free sleep, believing that they are in Heaven. It’s enough for them. It’s everything.
I think God gives us dogs to tell us how completely, selflessly and unconditionally He loves us.
Copyright © 2011 by David L. Williams all rights reserved
Beautifully said. And they’re also teaching us to try to have a shorter memory about the hard times. Next time I’m left at the groomer, I plan to try to find forgiveness in my heart.
This made me smile. We hardly have room in our bed at night, since we have five dogs…all sharing our bed. The 3 Chihuahuas and the Chi-mix don’t take up much room (although the mix is a little pushy) …it’s the Golden Retriever that hampers our leg movement. Lately though, she has been heading off to her own temperpedic, therapeutic bed…better for her and lots better for us.
But…if your retriever didn’t at least check in with you on the temperpedic, you wouldn’t be able to sleep at all, would you?
When my neighbor Pat goes away for an occasional weekend, or to visit in the bay area with family – I often get the pleasure of having Kelly, her sweet tempered little border collie, to care take care of for a few days. I’ve known this dog for about 8 or 9 years when she came running though the neighborhood one Sunday afternoon … on the loose. After a quick search for her “mom and dad” – it became apparent she was just dumped in the area.
The short(er) version of this story is that Pat and Hal decided to give her a home with them, while “Uncle Morg” gets the occasional duty of … baby sitting over a weekend or two.
I absolutely adore this “pup”.
When she’s with me, we spend lots of time right here in the computer room writing e-mails, columns and whittling away a few hours … with time out for lots of chin noogies, pup kisses and quick cuddles.
Yeah, yeah … I know.
My neighbor Dennis thinks I’m goofy the way I am with that dog. Me? I think Dennis, (generally a great guy) is in need of stuffing some of that macho “me master; you dog” ‘tude in the spare closet. I have no patience for those who simply dump their pups in the back and only visit with them when the water bowl or supper dish needs a quick refill.
But that’s another rant.
Pat’s sister loves Kelly, too … but sometimes gets annoyed late in the evening after they’ve gone to bed. Several time a night, Kel will begin a little sleep disturbing … snore thing. Well, disturbing to some. To me, it’s kind of like falling asleep to the sound of crickets on a warm summer evening.
Maybe it’s just the ol’ musician in me; still playing tunes in my head, but that pup’s tiny little … “z’s in the night” are real music to my ears.
Beats the hell out of anything P. Diddy’s posse puts out.
Well, that’s my story. And for those who love dogs as I do … it’s a books you’ve all ready before.
Say goodnight, Kel. zzzzzzzz …