It is taking a big risk posting this because it will identify me beyond a doubt to anybody who knows me. So be it. Here goes nothing. Or everything. I apologize for it being so long.
Preface: I do not believe in any god, life after death, nothing of that sort.
I have always had a dog, often multiple dogs. Sometimes cats, too. Last year, I lost my best furry canine friend (old age). I swore I would never have another pet. I also knew she was the only reason to stay alive, the only reason to get up in the mornings. You know what I mean.
Many months later, I decided to look for another. I wanted a puppy so I could train it and avoid the problems that shelter dogs often have. But...I am 68 yrs old and a puppy would be a long commitment (15+/- yrs) and that would not be fair to the animal, to die and leave it homeless. A real conundrum. I did, for several months, check the local shelter, no luck, because I reeeeeally wanted a female shihtzu again.
I found a breeder of other small breeds and visited her and decided I would wait for her next litter. Four weeks later, she had three female pups and I was excited. But, alas, three weeks later they all died. So I was on the list for the next litter. Several months passed and another litter, seven puppies! But...all male! Damn. I was stuck on having a female. Maybe, would wait and see how these puppies seemed.
One night, I was almost asleep, you know that stage where you are just about out. Suddenly, a picture appeared in my mind, very vivid! In color! Very real! Of a shihtzu standing at the end of my sidewalk staring at my front door. I sat straight up in bed, so startled. Thought, "wow, that was weird," laid back down for just a few minutes. Now, it was winter, snowy and very cold, and I got up, put on my robe and slippers, grabbed my flashlight, and went outside. Looked up and down the dark street, called, "Here doggie! Come!" Nothing. It was so disconcerting, the vision was so real!! Shook my head and thought, "You are so losing it," and went back to bed. That was on Tuesday.
On Thursday, I went to the grocery store. On the way out, I decided to stop at the shelter and tell them what I was looking for and ask them to call me if a small, non-shedding dog came in. Drove the one block, got out of my car, walked to the door, and there, in the kennel outside was the dog I had seen in my vision! I was totally shocked! I went over and petted it through the fence, HE was all wiggly and oh-so-cute and sweet. I charged into the front office and said, "I know that dog! He's mine!" They said he was brought in as a stray on Tuesday afternoon...
Well, he is mine and I am his and he is the best dog I have ever had. Already well trained, seems we are so tuned into each other. He makes me laugh every day. He is my savior. None of my other dogs were like this one. It makes me wonder, was this meant to be? Were we sent to each other? Is he my guardian angel? Food for thought...
Preface: I do not believe in any god, life after death, nothing of that sort.
I have always had a dog, often multiple dogs. Sometimes cats, too. Last year, I lost my best furry canine friend (old age). I swore I would never have another pet. I also knew she was the only reason to stay alive, the only reason to get up in the mornings. You know what I mean.
Many months later, I decided to look for another. I wanted a puppy so I could train it and avoid the problems that shelter dogs often have. But...I am 68 yrs old and a puppy would be a long commitment (15+/- yrs) and that would not be fair to the animal, to die and leave it homeless. A real conundrum. I did, for several months, check the local shelter, no luck, because I reeeeeally wanted a female shihtzu again.
I found a breeder of other small breeds and visited her and decided I would wait for her next litter. Four weeks later, she had three female pups and I was excited. But, alas, three weeks later they all died. So I was on the list for the next litter. Several months passed and another litter, seven puppies! But...all male! Damn. I was stuck on having a female. Maybe, would wait and see how these puppies seemed.
One night, I was almost asleep, you know that stage where you are just about out. Suddenly, a picture appeared in my mind, very vivid! In color! Very real! Of a shihtzu standing at the end of my sidewalk staring at my front door. I sat straight up in bed, so startled. Thought, "wow, that was weird," laid back down for just a few minutes. Now, it was winter, snowy and very cold, and I got up, put on my robe and slippers, grabbed my flashlight, and went outside. Looked up and down the dark street, called, "Here doggie! Come!" Nothing. It was so disconcerting, the vision was so real!! Shook my head and thought, "You are so losing it," and went back to bed. That was on Tuesday.
On Thursday, I went to the grocery store. On the way out, I decided to stop at the shelter and tell them what I was looking for and ask them to call me if a small, non-shedding dog came in. Drove the one block, got out of my car, walked to the door, and there, in the kennel outside was the dog I had seen in my vision! I was totally shocked! I went over and petted it through the fence, HE was all wiggly and oh-so-cute and sweet. I charged into the front office and said, "I know that dog! He's mine!" They said he was brought in as a stray on Tuesday afternoon...
Well, he is mine and I am his and he is the best dog I have ever had. Already well trained, seems we are so tuned into each other. He makes me laugh every day. He is my savior. None of my other dogs were like this one. It makes me wonder, was this meant to be? Were we sent to each other? Is he my guardian angel? Food for thought...
