Thursday, November 1, 2012

Is A Dog Just An Animal?

Is a dog "just an animal"? I don't think so. My dog Hiker is my family, my best friend, my "child". She is the most important thing in my life since my husband Ben passed away. So why don't some people understand that?

Before I rescued Hiker from the shelter, I felt so alone. I was in deep grief from losing my husband. I felt lost. Hiker came into my life and that all changed. She gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning. She gave me something to love and she loved me back. She gave me something to live for.

She and I are now so "joined at the hip" that I do not like leaving her alone for more than about 5 hours and she won't let me out of her sight when we are together. I guess some people would think I give her too much attention or that I dote on her too much. That I should not let her be the center of my life.

Any arrangements I make, any trips, luncheons, socializing, I make all of my plans with her in mind. I've had a few people criticize me for this. They say she is "ruling my life". That she is "only a dog" and that I should not be living my life for her.

As most of you know, I go to a Grief Support Group each week. Our grief therapist uses a great metaphor. She tells us to think of our lives as a movie theater. We should put family and friends in different sections of the theater. People who are supportive and caring should be put in the front row, but those who cause us pain or anger, or those who bring agitation into our lives, that we should put those people "in the balcony" of our lives.

I've had a few friends who have gotten angry with me because I now put Hiker first in my life. I wonder how they will like sitting in my "balcony".

5 comments:

  1. Hiker is your family. Keep on loving her.

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    1. Thank you Helen. I will keep on loving her.

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  2. I so agree with you. Tiah is my companion. I arrange things around her and feel guilty if I'm not home enough. I feel less alone with her around. My daughter used to criticize me about my dog until she lived with me for awhile. Now she understands where I'm coming from. Dogs are definitely not just an animal!!!!!

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  3. I don't understand why someone would say such a thing. Hiker came into your life when you needed her most, and she needed you. You love each other and protect each other. Keep doing what makes you happy. Take care, Sheila

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Kay