A few weeks ago, an acquaintance shared with me that he recently had euthanize his dog. That sentence alone opens up my tear ducts and I feel a tightening in my throat. You don't even have to elaborate with descriptive adjectives to trigger a response from me. The idea of having to make that kind of decision is enough.
But he didn't stop with that mere sentence. Instead, he went on to say two phrases that return to me repeatedly every time my dog looks at me with his insanely adorable face...
"When someone knocks at the door I automatically start to yell 'no barking!' to the silence"
"I go to step over someone who isn't there anymore"
And I find myself crying in front of a man I barely know, in regard to his dog that I've never met.
In fact, I feel that tightening in my throat every time I call my mother and get her self-recorded voicemail prompt that ends with the faint distant bark of our now deceased family dog, Murphy.
Pets are such a big part of our lives. And especially for those of us who don't have children (or for empty-nesters), pets take up that energy and affection that might otherwise be spent on children.
And while I know they are still JUST animals and should not be treated like humans, it doesn't mean that I will ever stop grieving when their very short lives are over. The knowledge that they don't have souls does not prevent me from crying when some stranger must say goodbye to a faithful furry companion.
It got me thinking about all of the photo sessions I have done over the past decade and how many dogs have intentionally or accidentally leaped, bounded or waddled through my camera frame.
I've always saved the photos, because it seemed like truth in this age of photoshop, an accurate documentation of life.
So here is my tribute:
To the lowerer of my blood pressure, the ever-so enthusiastic greeter at the front door , the warmer of my feet, the dispenser of fluffs of white fur all over my black clothing, and the owner of those big brown chocolate chip eyes that always look so concerned that I might actually be consuming ALL of those calories by myself.
"The dog was created specially for children. He is the god of frolic."
- Henry Ward Beecher
No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as a dog does.
- Christopher Morley
"If dogs could talk it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one."
- Andy Rooney
"Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There's so little hope for advancement."
- Snoopy
"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps.
It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made."
- Roger Caras
