If you’ve never had a dog or any kind of non-human companion, then you perhaps won’t be able to understand me when I say how grateful I am for the presence of my current four-legged friend. She and for the two or three other significant relationships I’ve had with canine companions represent a very important element in my life that’s very nearly right up there with family. Of course to most of us who have or had dogs (or cats and other critters) in our lives often refer to them as family. For me, they have been constant, loving supporters who were present during some of the more difficult times in my life. And so I honor and gratefully acknowledge these friends.
Pasha, a “runt” great dane, was my best friend as I was growing up. I was a shy and somewhat awkward kid, and from age 10 to 18 he was my best, and sometimes it felt like only, friend. He was my companion during awkward teenage years, listening to all my angst, patiently allowing me to cry, holding onto his big body, protecting me when I felt threatened. Somehow I survived those tough junior high years, with Pasha as my friend and confidant, and made it to high school. We were separated for about six months when my parents, my younger sister and I lived in East Africa for a time. During those months, Pasha lived with my two older brothers. He regularly “escaped” from their apartment situated on the top story above my dad’s office. For the rest of his life he didn’t tolerate being confined (I guess he always feared we were leaving him again). He destroyed any number of doors, chewing and scratching and trying to get out. Other than that, he was a perfect dog. He died when I was in my first semester in college (and a rough one at that) and while my parents went on to have two dogs after that, none was to me what Pasha had been.
My Friend Pasha
They say that people come into your lives for a “reason, season, or lifetime.” My belief is the same for dogs and other nonhuman companions. That has certainly been true for me. The next four-legged friend who “showed up” in my life was Shiloh, a pit bull-Rhodesian Ridgeback mixed breed. He unexpectedly became part of the family when my children were young. In many ways Shiloh was for them–particularly for my daughter–as Pasha had been for me: a strong and loving friend during some emotionally difficult times. He was that for me as well, coming along just as my marriage was ending and I found myself once again needing an understanding friend. He wasn’t much of a conversationalist, but was a really sympathetic listener. While I was deeply saddened by his departure from the world, my daughter, who was a senior in high school at the time, was devastated. Part of her recovering involved the procurement of a new companion, which brings me to my third influential four-legged friend, Honor.
Three Red Dogs: Shiloh is the big one on the left
I have written about Honor in this blog many times, because she too has been a significant presence in my life through difficult times. She was my steadfast companion during the year that was 2011, when many things fell apart in my life, and has been my lone roommate since we moved east in 2012. For the first time in my life I was living on my own–no parents and siblings, no roommates, no children–just me and “Honnie.” Now as I prepare to embark upon yet another adventure in a new place, Honor will come with me, no doubt helping my adjustment to the new place, representing once again, a familiar and safe presence.
My canine friends have saved my life in some ways. Not literally in the sense of pulling me from a burning building or other “Lassie” like actions of epic proportions; but simply by offering their friendship to a lonely kid/adult, giving the unconditional, forgiving, enthusiastic love that they can bring. So pardon me if once again I offer deep gratitude for my four-legged friends. May all who need it find such friendship as I have enjoyed over the years.
My Friend Honnie
