He’ll turn 8 in a little over a week.
He was born on Mother’s Day in 2007.
8 weeks he came home with me. A little golden ball
of fur who whined all night and awkwardly tumbled
upstairs and was so adorable I almost thought about
renting him out to single folks.
He’s always had a heart of gold. I like to think
it’s from his golden coat that goes with me
everywhere.
Whenever we go out, people are often taken aback by
his size. “Does he bite?” they ask. Always with a
grin, I reply, “Nope. He’ll lick ya to death.”
I guess you could say he is a gentle giant.
People who don’t have pets don’t quite understand
their impact on us humans. Often when I’ve talked
about Silas and Chloe people will ask, “Oh, are they
your children?” and when I politely say no there is
often an expression of judgment. No that is too
strong of a word. There is an expression of
misunderstanding and ignorance. Pets are intuitive
creatures. Especially dogs. When the time is right,
rarely do they instigate for their own sake of
feeling good. Nor do they ever talk back. And never
have I ever come home and was met by Silas and Chloe
with their tails not wagging. Even on their worst
days, and on my very awful, no good, bad days, they
offer me love.
All went well today at our vet appointment. Both
dogs are healthy and the lumps found on Silas’ belly
are nothing to worry about. A large sigh of relief
was breathed at the house upon the good news.
They are with me now at church. Asleep at my feet.
Silas is snoring by the door. And Chloe, well, about
every 4 minutes she raises her head as if she has
heard something. Perhaps she hears the church mouse.
Next week Silas turns 8. The following week Chloe
will turn 3. They are dogs, yes. But they are much
more than that. They are companions and teachers.
They reveal insight about joy and simplicity, grace
and forgiveness, happiness and love. Life isn’t
perfect. And trust me, my pups aren’t perfect.
However, despite the imperfections, they help me see
each day as a gift, a reason to go on an adventure
and smell the flowers, to walk a little slower, to
saunter more.
