Purple and Paws Today is Valentine’s Day. I’ve been single a long time and I used to be one of those people who went around proclaiming how much they hate Valentine’s Day and how it’s just a scam by the card industry, blah, blah, blah. But now I’ve come to realize that Feb 14th isn’t just about romantic love. It’s about all love and letting the people (and animals) in your life know how much you care.
So today I’m paying tribute to the dogs I’ve loved and lost and the dog who makes my life complete.
Cleo
Cleo was the dog who helped me conquer my fear of dogs. I’d been wanting a dog so badly and for so long. I still remember walking past her cage at the Humane Society and stopping to stare at this regal caramel-colored girl quietly sitting there, waiting for her forever family amidst all the other barking dogs. We got five wonderful years with her before she abruptly passed away. But she taught me how to care for and love a dog and I’ll always be grateful to her for that.
Misty
Misty was my spirit dog. She was calm, cool, and pretty much only gave a crap about my dad. She adored my dad (mainly because in the beginning he walked her most days). She wasn’t big on physical affection but she patiently put up with me and my sister constantly petting, stroking, hugging, and picking her up. Every once and awhile she would sit down next to one of us then stare as if to say, “okay, I’d like some affection now. You may pet me.” We would pet her and then, when she had enough, she would walk away. I loved her so much. Towards the end of her life I started wondering what would happen when she died. How would I handle it? Would I want to be around? I decided, no, I wouldn’t. Which fate took as a challenge, I guess, because I ended up being the one who had to put her down all by myself while my parents and sister were out of town. I had to decide it was time to let her go and end her suffering. I had to take her into the room at the vet’s. I had to sit on the floor next to her while the vet administered the shot. I had to watch while she took her last breath. It was the most difficult and heart-breaking moment of my life but Misty gave us 15 amazing years I’ll never forget.
Patch
Ah, Patch. What can I say about Patch? We’d had Misty for five years and for most of that time, my sister had been begging my parents to get a little dog. Finally, around Valentine’s Day 2004, they agreed to adopt a Jack Russell terrier. We all drove up to North Scottsdale where a woman who rescued Jack Russells lived and Em picked out Patch. I don’t think any of us had a clue what we were getting into. I sure didn’t. We were all used to medium-sized, calm dogs. Patch was NOT calm. He barked and raced around and barked and raced around and barked and raced around. All. Day. Long. I’ll admit I disliked him at first. Eventually he won me over and I came to appreciate his good qualities and overlook his quirks. Plus he and Misty were so hilarious together. Patch lived for ten years before dying suddenly from a heart problem a month after Misty left us. We all think he just missed his buddy too much to go on without her.
Socks
After losing Misty and Patch so quickly, I was at a loss. Many dog owners will agree that a house just feels empty without dogs around. So, four months later, I adopted Socks. He has taught me so much about taking care of a dog, because, let’s face it, Cleo, Misty, and Patch were all technically my parents’ dogs. They bought the food, took them to the vet, walked them, paid for the licenses. Now I’m doing all that for Socks. And it feels great. Soon I’ll adopt more dogs. Because nothing is better than saving a dog’s life. And I hope to save many, many more in the years to come.