God Bless Dogs

“The poor dog, in life the firmest friend. The first to welcome, foremost to defend.”

Lord Byron

I’ve learned a lot from my dogs. Men my age and younger could learn a thing or two from having man’s best friend. I became a weird dog person almost overnight. In the past two years I’ve probably been more scared about my dog’s health than even my own. I learned what it was like to look after something that was special and vulnerable.

It’s a good bit of responsibility to raise a dog right. I didn’t get a chance to grow up with dogs, but I have always loved being around those I came across, but nothing really compares to having you own. Waking up to her smiling face and wagging tail is so heartwarming it pretty much hinders any distaste I’d have for all those times she peed on the floor or chewed up something.

I have two golden retrievers that were born one year apart, on the same day, and from the same kennel. They are actually cousins. So, on top of all the other reasons, I named them what I named them, it made since for them to be called Jonny and Khaleesi. I know that’s going to piss off some out there and make others think I have poor television preferences, but I am theirs and they are mine. No bully in the comment section.

Actually, one day when my wife was going through the kennel’s Facebook page, she noticed a new batch of pups were born, and exactly a year after our first one! They were cousins with the same birthday! We saw that they were of the English Cream variety and it was beginning to feel like it was meant to be. At that moment, the church bells started ringing across the street, and I enthusiastically yelled “God wills it!” And, that was that, so they say.

It’s been about a year and a half since I got my second retriever, Jonny, and noticing all the intricate differences in temperament, personality, and talents is really something. The girl is actually the athlete and the boy is more of a couch potato. They both, of course, love to swim and really enjoy other people.

I owe a lot to Khaleesi and Jonny. More than I could ever payback, really. A dog teaches you compassion and responsibility. They show you what loyalty looks like, too. My dogs have got me going when all I wanted was to stay in bed and be lazy. Ever notice how your dog always greets you right? This is why they’re called “man’s best friend.” In turn, you must treat them right.

Things have been rough for me over the past few years. However, through it all, I’ve always been able to ground myself by just going on a trail walk with my faithful companions. I’m sure things could get a lot rougher, possibly in the near future, but I’m so grateful I’ve got a couple retrievers at home. There’s not much that tops spending a few hours in the woods, wading through creeks, and exploring Mother Nature with my dogs.

God bless dogs and God bless Dixie!

-By JJ