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<\/a>Dash with Daddy on his first day home<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n “If you don’t own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.”\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>Roger A. Caras<\/strong><\/p>\n I lost my last dog in 1983 and longed for one every day after that.\u00a0 I desperately wanted to replace her, but my husband kept pointing out that with our work and travel schedules it just wasn’t fair to the dog.\u00a0 Frankly, I think he just didn’t want to pick up dog poop, but I had to admit he was right – we were too busy.\u00a0 Still, life felt empty without a dog.\u00a0 Finally, in 2012 we dog-sat for our kids while they were on vacation and, to his credit, my husband saw how much I loved having a dog by my side.\u00a0 He told me to start looking for a puppy.\u00a0 Much research later, I was referred to Kelly Collins of Spice Rack Cavaliers.\u00a0 When we went to interview her (and her, us!) I was a bit nervous about how my husband would react but my worry was misplaced.\u00a0 Within minutes, seven Cavaliers jumped on his lap and he was immediately reduced to baby-talk and dog hugs.\u00a0 We were lucky enough to get a dog from an upcoming litter and in February 2013 Dash the Wonder Dog entered our lives.<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 Dash at work<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n “Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an empty space we don’t even know we have.”\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>Thom Jones<\/strong><\/p>\n People ask why I refer to Dash as “The Wonder Dog”.\u00a0 It’s simply this – he has changed our lives for the better since the day he joined our home.\u00a0 My husband who really didn’t want a dog?\u00a0 Now he won’t leave Dash alone for more than three hours.\u00a0 He and Dash conspired not only to have Dash sleep in our bed but to have his own pillow.\u00a0 I have seen the most wonderful side of my husband in his caring for our sweet little pup.\u00a0 For me, nothing soothes a bad day or a friend’s slight like walking into the house and being greeted by Dash’s wagging tail.\u00a0 Even if I’ve just gone to the post box, he runs around as if I’ve been gone for weeks<\/em>. \u00a0 And it’s not just us that he helps.\u00a0 Each Saturday I am his Uber driver that takes him to work at a local elder care center.\u00a0 It’s safe to say that just a lick on the nose or a gentle stroking of his soft fur provides comfort like nothing else could.\u00a0 If that doesn’t qualify as a Wonder Dog, I don’t know what does.<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Patiently waiting<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n “The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.”\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>Andy Rooney<\/strong><\/p>\n Our friends now joke that they have a high bar to meet in order to get us to go out to dinner – is it a more attractive offer than staying home with Dash?\u00a0 That is a slight exaggeration, but only by a bit.\u00a0 I will say that Dash has had a way of helping us prioritize our time.\u00a0 Before we had him, we pretty much accepted every request for dinner or party invitation.\u00a0 Now, we really do wrestle with whether we would rather spend our time with the people involved or Dash.\u00a0 NOTHING is better than Dash curled up next to me, sometimes resting his chin on my leg, but I do realize that we could easily become hermits if we stay home with him every night.\u00a0 Still…the sight of him waiting for us at the door whenever we go out breaks my heart.\u00a0 And there’s not many people at a cocktail party who will do that!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cooper and Dusty –\u00a0 together in Heaven<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n “So this is where we part, My Friend, and you’ll run on, around the bend…And as you journey to your final rest, take with you this…I loved you best.”\u00a0<\/em> Jim Willis<\/strong><\/p>\n It is so heartbreaking to lose a dog.\u00a0 We have lost two in our family this year.\u00a0 Good dogs, who brought so much joy and love.\u00a0 Unfortunately, that is the deal we enter into when we get a dog – we know from the outset that they don’t live nearly long enough.\u00a0 Still, the joy of having one outweighs the grief.\u00a0 Or as someone said, owning a dog will bring you many happy days and one horrible one.\u00a0 Which is why, every day, I try to appreciate Dash and all that he brings to us.\u00a0 He gets lots of belly rubs, blueberries and all the toys he can rip through in 10 minutes.\u00a0 Spoiled?\u00a0 You bet!\u00a0 But it’s not like he’s going to grow up to become an axe murderer.\u00a0 He never asks for money, the car keys or breaks his curfew so I figure there’s no harm.\u00a0 Plus, that’s part of the joy of owning a dog – especially a Wonder Dog.<\/p>\n This being Thanksgiving week we would like to wish you and yours – and your dogs – a very happy Thanksgiving.\u00a0 And while we have a great family that gets along, I leave you with this final quote in case you are dreading your Drunk Uncle over the holiday:<\/p>\n “Dogs are God’s way of apologizing for your family.” Anonymous\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Suzanne Sparrow Watson This month we have the confluence of two events – Dash’s 5th birthday and Thanksgiving.\u00a0 Since so many of our readers are animal lovers I am dedicating this week’s blog to dogs – something for which … read more![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fromabirdseyeview.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/2017-06-10-10.11.19-169x300.jpg\")
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