Does one really ‘own’ a dog – or do they ‘own us’ like “…this is my master…”. Or are they, instead, simply on loan to us — to take care of us and guide us, amuse us and call upon us to deliver our best humanity and grace through their unconditional love and acceptance?
To me, the canine spirit is essential to my world. I have always had it, I have always relied upon it, and always will have it. I cannot imagine walking one day without a canine spirit beside me (sometimes more if the Professor is agreeable to my campaign of the minute).
Friends and family know, unequivocally, not to take me on any shelter runs with them, for surely, I will come home with another soul. My golden-hair sister tried that once – sent me to a shelter on a preview run when she adopted her boy, Samuel. The result of that little adventure had me pestering the Professor for weeks until he agreed I could adopt Ella ~ a re-home from a responsible breeder. I can be relentless when it comes to dogs, I can’t help myself.
Even Pearl Bailey is a result of this essential component to my being. My fiercely loyal Newfoundland, Maximus, lost his battle with degenerative arthritis on August 8, 2013. Exactly five weeks later, September 15, 2013, we lost our 14-year old Coton du Tulear to a cancerous mass. Devastated from these closely dated staggering losses, I sunk so low the Professor became desperate. One day shortly thereafter, I returned home to find my empty house alive again – enter Pearl Bailey antics and all!
So, when I tell you she is the prettiest dog I have ever owned, you can clearly understand why.
And, you now know the rest of the story!