In the last nine months alone, my view and perspective on dogs changed completely. I grew up with an Alpha Male type of German Shepherd whom I loved dearly, and yet he utterly terrified me in the years leading up to his passing. He would snap at me for seemingly no reason, was unfriendly to other dogs, but was still man's (as in my father's) loyal best friend. Their bond was inseparable--this dog was much more attached to my dad than anyone else in the family. From age four to the age of eighteen, this was the only dog that I had ever had. So you can imagine my excitement when my mom caved and told my dad we could get another dog during March of my senior year of high school.
I had always thought of myself as a dog person, but March 5th forever changed my outlook on what the potential of a relationship between a dog and a human could possibly be.
My doggo, Valentine. This was the first photo I took of my sweet boy!
Before I met Valentine, I was apprehensive. My parents had met him prior to us getting him; and although I had heard good things, it was just so flat-out unexpected that I did not know what to think of this dog. But then after a long day at work, I came home to find that this sweet boy had arrived. I had been standing all day and so I sat down in the chair (the one that's pictured). He put his head on my lap and instantly melted my heart. I mean, just look at those big ol' chocolate brown eyes. How could you not love him?
This was something that was on my mind in the weeks and months after the adoption. What we do know is that we are his third home, and that for the past two to three years he had been living on a ranch with a dozen or so other dogs. He was in good hands--the woman who had him ran a German Shepherd Rescue--but he lacked individualized attention. The thing about Valentine is that he just has so much love to give. On his Pet Finder profile, his temporary owner described him as having "never met a stranger in his life". It was evident from the get go that this was truly the case, because of the way he acted almost immediately towards me. My newfound relationship with Valentine was unlike anything that I had ever experienced with my first dog.
Don't get me wrong, I totally adore my childhood furry friend. But mine and my family's relationship with dogs has changed since getting Valentine and our newest addition to the family, Mitzi. I see the change that has occurred in my dad. The way that he and this dog are bonded beyond the levels that I had thought were possible.
Cuddle. Kiss. Hug. Repeat. This has become our daily routine. But I would not trade any of it for a second.
