Monday, January 05, 2009

Saturday Buck emailed me a link to this stirring essay on why old dogs are the best dogs at the WaPo. I sat down late last night to read the article, and I thought of the little old lady dog I lost last year, Valentine.


Not long after losing Miss V, I got another pup. Praline's a wigglesome, sweet little Jack Russell Terrier who lifted my spirits tremendously. A dear, dear friend told me I needed to get a second dog soon to complete my little pack. A short while later, my vet told me her colleague had rescued some chihuahua wiener pups- the two breeds I swore I'd never own. So Praline and I met Chuy and it was lurve.

Praline is smart, but she's so excitable that it's easy to think she's not really paying attention to what's going on around her. Chuy, on the other hand, knows what's going on with every creature in the room.


I read the article mentioned above, and at the end, it brought back the memories of the last days with the doglet. I admit I cried a little. Not racking sobs or anything, but a few tears escaped the banks of my eyelids. Suddenly, Chuy was right there in front of me, his cobby little paws resting on my knee as his earnest face looked up in to mine. I picked him up and he snuggled up to me and he nestled his head to my neck. I know it's odd, but it really seemed like he knew what I was thinking and was trying to comfort me.


Old dogs are grand, but the young ones can be amazing, too. I'm so glad I have my boypup. :)


Here's to dogs.

9 comments:

Christina RN LMT said...

Hear, hear!
My pups always know when I'm feeling down and try to cheer me up or comfort me. Dogs are sweet.

J.R.Shirley said...

Here's to old dogs, and young dogs,
and all dogs we love.

And who love us far more.

Buck said...

...at the end, it brought back the memories of the last days with the doglet.

The article had the same effect on me, including the blurred vision bits. And it's been ten years since my doglet passed on. I still miss her. Terribly.

Yup: Here's to dogs!

Miz Minka said...

Here's to dogs, indeed. I miss mine.

Old NFO said...

Puppies... Unconditional love along with a bladder surrounded by hair... :-)

SpeakerTweaker said...

I think I'm gonna go love on my mutt for a little bit before bedtime.



tweaker

Vinogirl said...

I love my poochies but I have to admit, they are not the most sensitive canines!

Anonymous said...

At some point a dog starts to think he/she is people...then we don't have the heart to tell them that they are adopted.

Everybody should be owned by a dog at least once in their lives.

phlegmfatale said...

Christina - dogs are so wonderful to have around.

John - may we endeavour to deserve them

Buck - I'll drink to that

MizMinka - you prolly should get some more dogs, then. :)

Old NFO - I'll take it!

Speaker - good call!

Vinogirl - I'm sure they have other qualities to recommend them

Cliff - I quite agree. In fact, I don't ever want to be without a dog again in this life.