Unconditional Love

Unconditional Love . . .  The thing everyone wishes for. Hard to find in this life, especially in humans. But if one looks to the animal world, it really isn't so hard to find.

After our son left for the wilds of Wyoming, taking his precious Saber, with him, our home was much quieter. More peaceful. Lots less barking. The food bill went down by half, and our older shepard, Shaba, settled in to a life of a single dog, once again. The first week or so he was lost, looking for his buddy around every corner. But once he became used to the soltitude, I think he started enjoying having my husband and myself, all to himself.

I, on the other hand, had a harder time with it. Shaba, after all, was really my husbands dog - and they both knew it. Saber, while he was with us, had become my dog. Followed me around, and just generally seemed to be more attached to me.

Now, with out my shadow following me, I felt kind of left out.

SO, we decided to go puppy shopping. What we found was a litter of German Sherhards that we fell in love with. Choosing just one was difficult, so we ended up with the one who really choose us.

He wasn't quite old enough to come home with us, yet. But 4 weeks later, he was . . . .

We named him Turk. For the first week after I brought him home, it was just he, Shaba, and me. My husband was out of town that week. That first day, he slept in my lap all afternoon. He quickly became my new shadow.

He loves his crate, but would much prefer to sleep with me. If I am sewing, he is at my feet. If I am in the kitchen, he follows me. If I am in the living room, he is trying to get in my lap. He cries when I leave him, and when I arrive back home, he yips his excitement to see me.

To those who have had the pleasure of having a dog, these things might seem like no big deal. But, with all the dogs we have had as pets, Saber included, none of them have ever really belonged to ME.

So, I am now experiencing for the first time, the joy of having a dog who is my very own. He loves me unconditionally, without fail. Even when I get frustrated with his chewing or other puppy behaviors, and scold him, he still wants to be near me, still follows me around, still wants to climb in my lap.

The only problem I am having is that, at 12 weeks, my sweet adorable puppy is 40 pounds. Not exactly  a lap dog. But just as sweet!



A Boy and His Dog

My posts have been few and far between lately, I know. And this one has nothing to do with my sewing; atleast not directly. But it's on my heart this morning, so I needed to share.

3 years and 3 months ago, my son was living in Panama City, Fl., working at the airport. He called me up one day, asking if he could bring me home a puppy. He had found a puppy wandering around the airport, lost and hungry. It needed a home, and Derek wasn't in a position to be able to keep it himself, just yet, but as soon as he 'got settled' he would take this pup off our hands. Well, I wasn't exactly in a place in my life where I wanted another dog around. But, between my son and my husband, they somehow convinced me.

A few days later, Derek arrived home with puppy in tow.  Except that it wasn't exactly a puppy. It was a 9 month old German Shepherd. With no discipline, and no manners. His name was Saber, and he was about as ADHD as they get! He had never been worked with. He knew no commands, and was not house broken. What we learned quite quickly, though, was that he had been locked up, was terrified off loud noises (thunder, guns, loud machinery), and had no idea how to play.

Well, Derek had to leave again, leaving Saber with us. Over the last 3 years, Saber has grown into an adult dog; fully disciplined, fully loved and loving.  He is still a bit hyper, but one of the most loving dogs I have ever been around. When he is lonely or scared, he sticks like glue to me. During the day, he will come upstairs to check on me and just lay down in my sewing room to keep me company. When Emma Grace had her kittens, Saber became the babysitter. If one of us isn't feeling well, Saber is right there to lay beside us and comfort. If my husband is gone overnight, Saber takes his place in bed beside me.  We have often noted that Saber has 2 goals in life: one is to make everything 'fun', and the other is to give love.

 Each time Derek has come back home, there is never any doubt as to who is Saber's 'master'. There is always instant recognition and excitement. And, when it comes time for Derek to pack up again and leave, there is always sadness, confusion and depression left behind.

Well, Derek arrived home again, about a month ago, from his deployment in Afghanistan. He now has a plan for his life that includes having his dog beside him. He will be far away, across the country, but it is where he belongs.

He started packing his things up several days ago, making a corner of the dining room into his 'pile'. This always is the point where Saber, as well as the other dog, Shaba, begin to go into their depression mode. They know that the packing means he is leaving. This time was confusing, though. Because Derek added Saber's toys to the pile. And then his leash.

At 5:30 this morning, we all got up to say good-bye. Derek fed Saber, then washed out his bowls, and added them to the packed truck. Now Saber knew something really exciting was about to happen! This time, when Derek left, Saber got to go, too! Such excitement! I so wish I could be a little bug in that truck, watching as the boy and his dog, finally get to live their adventure together. 

Now that they are both gone, I am not sure who I will miss more, the boy, or the dog.