My Childhood Love = Dogs

Since my last posts I've been trying to remember what I loved as a child and the one thing that kept popping up was - Dogs.  Yes, I'm a dog person and from a very young age (probably starting at 6) I've always asked my parents if I could have a dog as a pet.   My love affair with dogs started when I was about six and my cousin got a puppy.  It was a fluffy, tan-coloured pomeranian named Bimbo.  It was love at first sight and I think that Bimbo loved me.  Whenever I went to visit, Bimbo would run directly for me and lay thousands of puppy kisses on me and while the others would stop him for doing this, I welcomed them.  I wanted one of my own so badly and when my cousin decided to breed Bimbo - I was overjoyed because that was my chance - get a mini-Bimbo of my own.  But when the time came and a litter of 5-6 beautiful puppies were ready for a home - my parents said "no."  My heart broke.  Lesson learned:  Just because you love something, doesn't mean you'll get it.

Fast forward to university - I met my husband in 2nd year university and he had a golden retreiver named Junior.  Sweet loveable dog who would followed us around all the time.  I talked all the time about having my own dog and the following Christmas, his gift to me was Rockit a energetic Jack Russell.  As much as I loved him, this breed is not for the inexperienced dog owner (which I was) and Rockit basically ripped apart my parents home.  Chewed tables, chairs, jumping up on everyone that visited, nipping at children, running away several times and I was never able to train him to do his business outside.  Of course this was all my fault, because I didn't invest the time to train him and recognizing that, a couple of years later we gave him up for adoption to my husband's coworker who brought Rockit everywhere - to work and the corner store. They became best friends and Rockit lived a really good life.  Althought I loved him, I knew I couldn't give him what he needed and would be happier with someone who could.  Lesson learned:  It's true what they say - if you love someone, sometimes you have to set them free.


Last December, my family and I decided to adopt a chocolate labrador retriever.  His name is Duncan - which means "Brown Warrior."  This name is appropriate, because it has been quite the battle from day one.  From training, chewing on furniture, to learning new routines, taking on new responsibilities on top of what already needs to get done, arguments on whether or not we could handle him etc.  The list goes on and on.  But this is where I stand - I LOVE Duncan.  He is a beautiful furball of happiness and love.  He's my personal trainer, keeping me active, my running partner and bodyguard at night.  He's stress relief for me, because no matter what kind of day I had, I could sit/play with him and forget all the troubles of the day.  He helps put life into perspective for me.  There he is overjoyed chewing on a sock or catching a ball and it makes me think "what am I complaining about?"  It reminds me to be grateful for the simple things in life.  Lesson learned:  Love is not easy, it takes commitment and hard work, but the rewards you get back are worth it.