Imagine a kind of loyalty that will continue to strengthen as years go by without faltering. Imagine having a best friend by your side (or in this case, on your lap) through every hardship; whether it's a death in the family or another ex-boyfriend, sensing your pain and feeling it as their own. Imagine a love so innocent and happy, that is always thrilled to see you walk through the door and constantly longs for your presence the moment you leave.
If you own a dog, you don't have to imagine these things.
To a certain extent, dogs are just as much a part of the family as any other member. We feed them, give them baths, take care of them when they're sick, play with them and love them. In return, they devote all their loyalty to us and love us unconditionally. My dog, Dusty, put up with me and all my flaws. For example-- whenever things in life began catching up to me and I needed an emotional outlet, she just happened to be right there, making her the one I vent to regardless of the fact that she doesn't speak English (thank goodness because she knows too much). She would sit there and listen without comprehending a word I was saying, yet understand completely that I needed love. She wouldn't judge my terrible singing or dancing while showering, cooking, etc. We had this unspoken deal that as long as she would go easy on the judgement, I'd slip her some food at the dinner table. It was a good system we had going.
This goes both ways. She put up with my flaws, I put up with hers. Like her shedding habit that left all my black clothing items covered, not to mention my friends would be covered from head to toe in yellow fur once they left the house after visiting. Or her strange need to always walk through my legs, rubbing her head against my thighs. In a way, it was nice knowing she loved my inner thighs because I wasn't a big fan. My family and I also managed to forgive her for eating the Easter ham while we were at church (it took my parents a little more time).
Dusty had this way of lighting up the mood and making things better. If you seemed bored to her, no worries, she would shove a ball in your face, exhaling kibbles and bits right up your nostrils and play for hours. If you seemed sad, no worries, she would lick the sadness right out of you, or the 80 pound mass of fur would gladly perch right on your lap in an attempt to cheer you up. If you seemed happy, no worries, she would get excited, probably knock something over with her tail, and be happy with you.
There will be no other dog quite like her. But all dogs have this sixth sense of feeling another person's emotion. It's something I believe everyone needs to experience in their lives (unless you're allergic then I wouldn't recommend).
I was very lucky to have Dusty in my life for almost 14 years. While Dusty is now in a better place, her hair still coats the entire house and most of my clothing. But I don't mind. She's gone but she's quite literally everywhere.
RIP Dusty Sugar, hope you're chasing bunnies and eating an unlimited supply of Easter ham.
