If you have a four legged best friend, you most likely have a lot of dog stories. They can be happy, sad, uplifting, and bring back great memories. Losing this friend who loves unconditionally can be devastating. We’ve had a series of best friends, each different from one another, yet still, they have some similar habits and personality traits.
The Babe left early this morning to take Addison to school. Our son in law returns home today from working out of town. It’s been such a blessing to be around our smart, beautiful granddaughter on her way to or from school. She’s quite talkative, and we get the low down on all things important in an eighth grade girls life. The kids are getting a dog over the weekend. Puppy love will be all over their Instagram accounts, their every waking moment will be spent in adoration of a mixed lab/shepherd female pup they have already named Josie.
Pets are important to the lives of people, and I think especially for kids. When my children’s father left, three months later we adopted from neighbor’s litter of pups. She was a black lab/mix too. (Aren’t they all?) Shadow was with us for 16 1/2 years. One time, she broke her collar connector and ran away. We hadn’t installed our fence yet. We all sat on the patio after combing the neighborhood looking for her. My son Nick said, “Shadow has been with us longer than Dad was!” It was indeed a sad day.
Shadow was found and held at the Nebraska Humane Society. My son Frankie called me at work, and told me he had $28 to bail her out of jail. He was taking his brother and sister to get their pet and bring her home. I hesitated, if she was hurt or anything, it might be too hard for them. “Nope,” Frankie said, “you won’t get home until after they close, we should have her home with us” You can’t argue with an 18 year old with a good heart and a mission. He loaded his brother and sister into his 1975 Olds Cutlass and they rescued Shadow.
I loved that the kids learned to care for another living being. I love that grandson Gavin has such a love of dogs. He tells me, “Grandma, all dogs deserve love.” He is right. Dogs don’t care if you’ve had a shower, got a promotion, aced a test, had a date to homecoming, got your driver’s license, your makeup is perfect, they just love YOU. They just want to be with you. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, they just want to be with you. It’s good for them, and probably better for you.
Dogs love unconditionally. After playing catch a little earlier, Lexie wanted in the house. She went directly back to bed. Goldie just followed me into my studio/office, and laid on the chair mat, right next to my foot. She just wants to be with her people. Lexie comes in to check on the risk of burglars, random kids walking to school, or the Amazon prime guy delivering things. She looks at me, then goes back to her place on our bed, and resumes her nap. The Silent Sentinel. Until she barks at perceived danger. And barks. And barks. And barks.
Sometimes I wonder if people could be more like dogs, would the world be a better place? I think so. Unconditional love is the most wonderful thing in the world. It’s even greater than a mother’s love for her children. And dogs love unconditionally. All the time. When they’re tired. When they’re hungry. When they’re out of sorts. That door opens, and the run to greet you. Happy. Always happy.
Let’s take a page from the dog book of unconditional love today. Let’s overlook each other’s shortcomings. Let’s stop judging. Let’s stop arguing about masks and candidates and who killed Jimmy Hoffa. Let’s learn to be more accepting. Let’s give each other the benefit of the doubt. Let’s give ourselves and each other a chance. A chance to show we can get along. We’re happy to see each other. We put aside pettiness and just show appreciation. We can change our little part of this big world. We can make a difference. And we will. One friend, one dog, one soul at a time. Be safe out there today. Make it a great day. Thank you, we’ll see you again tomorrow. Be someone’s unconditional bestie. It’ll change the world.
Kathy Raabe 