I am 76 and Sharon much younger. We are old enough though to ponder life’s mysteries, often relying on experience to guide our decision making process. Our beloved Tazzy has been gone exactly one year and another beautiful Lab puppy will soon grace our presence. The heartbreak of losing Tazzy never really gives us a break, instead morphing into a kind of grim reality. They all die at some point. Is it wise to set yourself up for the inevitable pain of their passing in 10 or so years? Absolutely……read on.
I am at the age where my presence on earth for an extended time is far from guaranteed. Sharon has a 10 year advantage and, based on current actuarial charts, is quite likely to be here at least long enough to suffer through the loss of another dog, namely Mr. Kai who will join us soon. If you know and love dogs, today’s musing will be easily understood. If you don’t love dogs, this piece isn’t your cup of tea.
We are farm people. Whether an emerging field of soybeans or a new calf, we are familiar with the realities of life inherent to this existence. Nurturing is in our nature and there is nothing as rewarding as watching the antics of a puppy as they grow into, well, big dogs. Their dependence on us is reward enough to weather their silliness as you add character to their life. Farm people love the feeling of being needed and a new puppy meets that need.
Loyalty is in short supply today as we dwell in the most narcissistic society ever. Loyalty is a two way street and we are lucky to have the friends who get this. I have worked for bosses who expected undying loyalty but did not feel the need to return it. Not so with a dog. The bonds between a canine and human can be described as absolute once established. It is why Pharaohs were buried with their dogs, and why dogs will linger at a master’s gravesite.
There was a time when I subscribed to the theory that dogs were driven by instinct alone, with no capacity to think. I am not so sure today. When you watch a puppy solve a mystery, such as retrieving a ball under a couch, or anticipating the action of his master, you understand that at some level they reason. They are superior to humans in their avoidance of an unpleasant experience as opposed to our willingness to undergo a bad experience again, thinking it will produce a different outcome. They know better.
Mr. Kai is Lab number six for us. Along the way we also enjoyed a pair of wonderful German Shorthair Pointers, Luke and Belle, who rewarded us with boundless energy and enthusiasm in the field. We loved each and every one of them and already are in love with Mr. Kai. This leads to the greatest reward of all, a warm affectionate living creature that loves unconditionally and provides yet another opportunity for us to return this great emotion. In a few weeks, Mr. Kai will enter our world permanently….and we can hardly wait.
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