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Growing up, we always had cats. I remember begging and pleading with my parents to get a dog. After years of incessant begging, they finally relented and we registered with the Seeing Eye to adopt one of their retired dogs. They received tens of thousands of dollars in training, were loyal and could live a happy, retired life. After waiting a year or so, we finally were able to adopt a four-year-old black lab named Rocky. He was forced into retirement due to cancer, and we had him for five years until his cancer returned.
I knew from then on, I was a dog person. Cats are cool, I guess, but it’s hard to really care for something that shits in a box, claws up your leather items and is active nocturnally and makes noises imitating a home invasion.
To me, there is no pet bond stronger than a person and their dog. All of my dogs (and animals for that matter) were rescued in some form of another. I low-key judge people who don’t at least look into the many overcrowded shelters or rescue organizations, as I’ve found that rescues make the best dogs and their lives literally depend on being adopted. In college, I brought home a 130-pound German shepherd named Sam that was dropped off at my then-girlfriend’s summer job.
He was supposed to be my dog until I went back to school and he became my dad’s. After my dad passed, Sam helped my mom through a lot, always waiting for my dad to get home until he eventually lost his mobility to hip dysplasia and took his trip down the rainbow bridge.
It’s funny how life works like that. Even after being neglected and abandoned, animals still trust and love humans. When me and the Mrs. started dating, she was out on a work assignment to the way-far-out country. Along the road was a large black dog, emaciated and covered in ticks, and a little Chihuahua that he was protecting. I guess some trailer trash neglected them and they had been running through the hollers until she found her. She stopped without a second thought to get them off the road — we love animals — they hopped in and she returned home. We adopted out the Chihuahua that she lovingly named Randy Jackson to her neighbor that recently lost her dog and kept our now-beloved Tank. Honestly, I have no idea how anyone can throw away an animal, let alone the best dog I’ve ever seen in my life. Randy Jackson has also enriched the neighbor’s life considerably since she lives alone, but she renamed him Fred – a bullshit run-of-the-mill name.
Tank never leaves our side. Even off the leash, he stays close and always comes back every so often to check in with us by putting his nose in our hand. He is basically a 75-pound lap dog and spoons with us during weekend naps. He doesn’t know it, but sometimes people judge him. We take him and his adopted sister Daisy (we got her from a rescue after a cop found her wandering the streets) to the farmers markets, hiking, basically anywhere we can.
Some people are scared of large black dogs that resemble pit bulls, so we try to educate people and have them as ambassadors. Tank will undoubtedly slurp children in the face and roll over for belly rubs. I’ve had a few times they’ve been discriminated against, but largely, most people love to pet them. Tank seems to know if someone is afraid of him, and he tries his best to make amends and calmly get close to them for some love. Usually, he wins everyone over, and he has even changed the minds of a few children who were once afraid of dogs.
We’ve been through a lot together. Ups and downs in relationships, loss of family members, parties and tailgates (Tank and Daisy love parties); you name it, and the dogs have always been there. Dogs, especially Tank, seem to have a pulse on human emotion. We are currently in the process of getting him therapy certified since he did so well when we visited the old folks home.
If you’re thinking about getting a dog, I highly recommend it. While I’d never refer to them as my children, I know that raising a well-rounded animal, regardless of the kind of animal, is important. I don’t think I really want kids, but I can tell you that having a rescue is quite rewarding. We’ve definitely had a lot of experiences raising Daisy from a puppy.
Tank is getting older. We’ll never know how his life began or what has happened to him — he’s got some scars and tooth damage from being abused at some point. He’s probably around eight now, and we’ve had him for three years. It’ll be a sad day and I hope it is far off, but one day, he too will cross the rainbow bridge. There’s a lot of quotes about dogs and how much joy they bring, about man’s best friend and how attuned they are to humans, but you will never fully understand them until you find your spirit animal like we did with Tank.
There’s a story about a six-year-old watching his beloved childhood pet on his last day. After battling cancer, the dog was put to rest. After pondering why dogs live such short lives, the boy responded. “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life – like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The six-year-old continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
I love my dogs..
[Photo via Unsplash]
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Madoff
I specialize in damage control, being the drunkest at any and all functions and social assassination. Always appreciate a strong gif game. Follow me on Twitter. Sometimes I put up cool stuff about golfing at the local dirt tracks.
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Dog: “I’m so happy you’re home! Let me know when you’re ready to play!”
Cat: “Oh, you’re home? Fine, whatever. My food bowl is empty and I knocked over that vase your friend brought back from China. Deuces.”
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$99/hr? Ha! You poor.
This article brought a tear to my eyes. Humans don’t deserve dogs.
Damn co-worked cutting onions next to my desk…
***worker
Marley and Me was on a few weeks back. Cried like a baby while my dog curled up on the couch with me. I’ve never clearly (read: not through tears) seen the end because “You’re a good dog.” Just sends me over the edge.
Watched the movie Max with the old ball and chain earlier this week, highly recommend it.
I will confirm, good movie. Highly recommend. Would watch again.
That’s a good one. I always know what’s coming and I still settle in for the inevitable blubbering at the end.
I’ve had two yellow labs and I’m unable to even start that movie
The Rainbow Bridge always reminds me of the Twilight Zone episode where the man avoids being lured into hell because “Any place that’s too high-falutin’ for Rip is too fancy for me.” If all dogs don’t go to heaven, count me out.
One of the best episodes ever
Damn, the guide dog adoption form is INTENSE
I’ll just pretend this didn’t turn me into a blubbering mess.
I’m picking up my first dog since I became an ‘adult’ this Friday, a corgi puppy from an accidental litter my friend had. Dogs are hands down the best.
Corgis are great. Wife convinced me we should get one and it’s the best decision we ever made.
I grew up on a cattle farm. Therefore Aussies, Corgis, Border Collies, and Blue Heelers are my favorite dog breeds. But any dog is awesome with proper care, even those little yippers
That’s what I’ve got as well. He’s short, stumpy, possibly autistic, and almost constantly an embarrassment to the family, but damn if he isn’t a cute little bugger.
Pro tip to any single dudes out there, get a corgi. Every girl will want to stop and talk to you or come over and meet him.
This is accurate. My brother was walking a friends corgi at a music festival and met the woman who would become his wife.
Just got my first puppy as an ‘adult’ last month, border collie/beagle mix. It’s definitely like having a child but best decision I’ve ever made. Good luck sir.
Well that was emotional, good work. Side note: a 130 lb German shepherd? I think that qualifies as a dire wolf.
He was huge when we got him. Not fat, just massive. He could stand on his hind legs and touch my shoulders. Towards the end of his life, he was closer to 100 from losing weight and not eating. That’s when we knew he was having a hard time. He caught a deer once (it was a young one). Called him off it and he came back. He also used to protect our cat from the foxes.
Getting misty-eyed at my desk. Thanks for writing. And also thank you for encouraging adoption. There are so many dogs and cats in shelters and your local Humane Society waiting for a home.
“It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”
Almost put that one in. I remembered the final part from somewhere, Googled it and made me sad again. Dogs are the best.