I took my dogs out for a walk yesterday as weather permitted it. We had snow the night before and today it rained most of the day. As I watched them run about, Rowdy hunting for rodents, Curley proudly displaying a stick about 3 times his size, I thought to myself: I am so blessed to have these dogs. I felt so much love toward them. As I am writing this, both my dogs are lounging on my bed. I can't really describe what I feel for both except unconditional love. I comprehend some people get it and others don't. Well, to be fair, I think part of why I feel that way for them is that I grew up without feeling loved by or feeling part of my family. As a result, when Curley came into my life, he made me feel so much, I felt feelings toward him like I had never experienced. I felt highly concerned for his well being, while he made me feel that he greatly cared about me. To this day, I still remember the day, he put his head on my leg as I was crying on the floor (feeling unloved) and realizing at that moment, I was no longer alone: he was family, we were family together. Then came Rowdy who chose me and Curley. Rowdy may act like he doesn't care as much as his brother (not much separation anxiety, Curley follows me everywhere, even resting on my bathroom mat as I shower) though each night, he likes to sleep by mom. I love them both so much: unconditional love.
This past year, this love was tested over and over. I was asked to choose between them and the guy I fell for. Well, my answer was them. They are my family and I will never turn my back on them. Even if I was to live in my car if I could not find a place that allowed me to have 2 dogs. They truly are the loves of my life. I hope of course that others will come into my life or our lives: a spouse and maybe kids or even more dogs (even cats).
Do I spoil them? I don't think so. I tend to buy them toys and feed them good food (Acana, Orijen and Fromm), though it is my way of demonstrating how much I care for them.
In the end, they both taught me so much, especially what is unconditional love and what family means. They are my family and I feel lucky to feel part of this family.
