Meet Presley. No, he’s not my dog. He’s a stray that appeared at my cousin’s house. I went to meet him and fell in love. Friendly, calm, a real sweetheart.
So why did I name him Presley? Why did I name him at all? Well, if you have read my novella Can’t Help Falling in Love which is the first one in the book Smoky Mountain Brides, you know why. My post, however, is not about my book (but, hey, if you’re interested, it’s on Amazon and I have a few copies at the house!). It is about dogs.
I have always loved dogs. I never was allowed to have one as a child, but if I went to someone’s house who had one, I spent a big portion of my time petting and playing with the dog. My best friend Terrie had several dogs, and I was always so jealous! I read books like Beautiful Joe over and over. (Oh, I read countless horse books too.) I watched shows like Lassie, and I will never be too old to enjoy Homeward Bound. I can’t watch the last 30 minutes of Marley and Me, nor can I watch again that movie about the dog in Japan that went to the train station every day. Hachi, was that his name? And Old Yeller? Oh, my.
If you’re not a dog lover, you don’t get it. But if you are, you understand exactly what I’m talking about. Those eyes that look at you with such devotion. That companion who follows you around in the yard or in the house. The way he curls up at your feet while you’re reading or watching television. The way he comes to greet you when you come home, sometimes whimpering from sheer joy. The way he fears the vet or even getting a bath but still allows you to pick him up and place him on that table (or spray him with that hose) because he trusts you. You are his master. You and your extended family are his world.
Maybe we can learn from dogs. Learn how to love without judging. Learn how to trust the ones who take care of us. Learn to remain devoted to those we love.
I don’t know what’s going to happen to Presley. Maybe his owner will come forward and claim him. Maybe my cousin will keep him. I would love to adopt him, but after losing our sweet Sable in 2011, I am not sure I want to go through the heartbreak of losing a dog again. Remember, I can’t even watch those movies. Besides, I have two grand dogs that like me and Barry pretty well. They might be jealous of a newcomer.
Yet, at the same time, it’s nice to think about having a dog all the time again. A dog to walk with me like Sable used to do. A dog to curl up at my feet. A dog to care for and receive unquestioning devotion in return.
I know what you’re thinking. I didn’t mention the vet bills, the cost of the food, the cost of the heartworm and flea and tick preventive medicines. The hassle of boarding them or finding a dog sitter at times.
Research suggests that having a dog may add years to a single person’s life. Read about it here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/adopting-a-dog-could-lengthen-your-life-study-says/
Whether one lengthens someone’s life or not, there is no doubt dogs have enriched mine. That’s just who I am. I am a dog person.
Life As I know it 