Animal Activities #59

And my dog explored the world sniff, sniff, on the chilled tiles of our porch. He was small because his paws were so large an object that they could not be his, he was black and tan with a white patch on his breast like a blazing insignia. When I brought him home that day he did not bark or whine. He only got his eyes up to stare at me, with wide questioning eyes, as though he had already decided that my person belonged to him.

I referred to him as Shadow, which he had followed me everywhere. I walked towards the kitchen, and his trotter was behind me. As I sat down to study he was lying at my feet. In the moments when I was angry and tried not to show it, he succeeded in easing it out and laying his chin on my knee. It was during these silent periods that I began to suspect that there was something serious about it, but a dog does not merely live with us, but lives on our behalf.

Shadow has taught me the importance of being responsible. He needed medicine, baths, exercises and games. His wagging tail was to remind me that there was somebody depending on me when I was lazy. Being concerned about him assisted me to become more patient and thoughtful. I learned that love is not merely a feeling, it is an action.

He also taught me loyalty. No matter what I did with my day- flunked a test or got into a row with a friend- Shadow greeted me with the excitement of the best thing that had ever happened to me. Dogs do not judge you on the basis of grades and popularity. By your presence they measure it.

Yet most importantly Shadow taught me to be comfortable. Where the house appeared too quiet, or my thoughts were too turbulent, he compensated the silence by the deep breathing of a patient, and the stroking of a pet. It is said that dogs help in relieving stress and loneliness, but science does not have to undergo it. It only takes a dog sitting on you, picking you, picking you again and again.

Dogs are more than pets. They are shaggy-haired educators, snouty-nosed parents and that blind affection is present. And even when Shadow looks at me I never stand alone indeed.

Thanks for reading my post I'm inviting @josepha, @ninapenda and @m-fdo to participate.