I am, and I say this with pride, a dog lover.I truly believe in my heart that they possess qualities and
inherent capabilities of which none of us will ever be made fully aware,
no matter how intricate advances in science and technology may become.They beguile and enchant as they try, and fully succeed for those
who sincerely believe in them, to communicate solely with their eyes and
actions.There are millions
who join me in the genuine wonder, admiration and awe of this remarkable
species of unconditional and unrelenting love providers…and we proudly
bear the title:Dog
Lovers.
Dog lovers can literally feel the intensity of that love combined
with the faithfulness and loyalty dogs possess and with all that is within
them, try to convey.We know
that they have somehow discovered a secret equation to transform that
elusive, vague energy known as love into an almost tangible emotion.
However, there are those in this world who, for one reason or
another, have not been granted the blessing of experiencing this
connection…those who have not looked deeply into a dog’s enduring gaze
and felt the adoration and allegiance they whole-heartedly express using
the tool God has given them for communication…pure, unconditional love.
For these people, I must feel a little sympathy as they are missing
out on a joy that is present 24 hours a day for the taking.A reciprocal warmth, a perpetual acceptance and an innate
forgiveness of our discretions…there, at our disposal.A friendship that is an addition to the very core of our soul, forever present
throughout each day…like a guardian angel or an unseen shadow, whose
aura forever surrounds us.
For these folks, a dog is but a
canine…yet another random creature…“just a dog.”
I use that expression, because I’ve
heard it uttered too many times, by those who truly have not taken the
time, or maybe just don’t possess that extra sense humans need to tap
into, to fully understand the nature of this animal.What is obvious is that we, as humans, have the ability to hear, to
see, to smell, to feel and to taste.But,
I feel there is at least one sense omitted from that basic list and that
is… to connect.
Unfortunately, as we Dog Lovers know, the downside to owning a dog
(and I use that term loosely as I don’t believe we ever own
them for they are only on loan to us from God) is their life expectancy.In my heart, I believe that this is the sole reason why they have
the ability to love so intently, so devotedly.They bestow love on a level that must be multiplied…at least by
seven, which is the gauge we use to compare average human years to dogs.Whereas, a human is born with the capacity to spread an allotted
amount of love over an average of 75+ years, dogs instead must fit all
that love into an average of 10-14 years.
I have comforted my own soul, especially lately, with the fact that
there is a reason why dogs leave this earth before we do, in most
instances.My rationalization
is that because the love they feel for us is so incredibly intense, so all
encompassing, their suffering is bound to be far greater.Though, those of us who have lost our incredible companions know
too well, the pain at times is insufferable.For a moment however, think of what it is for them
should we leave forever with no explanation?If their love for us is multiplied by at least seven, then so would
be, their grief.At least, we
have the ability to console our hearts with the facts and details of
sickness or old age. They, in turn, do not.Their pain, therefore, in my opinion, would be more excruciating,
more debilitating.I think God
arranged it for them to “leave” first…to spare them that amplified
agony.
We will never
truly realize
all that they give us…
because they “outlove” us
instead of
outlive us.
