Finding support on four legs

The human canine bond of unconditional love

This past week I took my sweet Miniature Poodle, Shaina, to the vet. Not just an ordinary vet, but the UNH Student Vet Tech School. I love that it’s run by a primary vet and teaches young minds to care for animals. Even better, they offer low-cost care to seniors and those on fixed incomes. Complete blood work and a year’s supply of heartworm medication is only $60. I am grateful that this is available to me as a senior on a fixed income.

After checking in, they asked me to tell them the story of Shaina. The students seemed fascinated that I had a “story” around her, versus the standard “Well, she is a rescue.”

I was proud to reiterate my life and times with her, because she has literally walked every step of this path with me, from detecting my cancer, to remaining on my belly when I’m just flat out, unable to move off the couch. She remains steadfast in loving me, comforting me, and making sure that I get up and move after hours of crushing fatigue from chemotherapy. Its the kind of love that I could never ask of a human friend.

Simply said, I couldn’t do it without her.

I often wonder why I was so lucky to find her, or, more importantly, how she found me. There was indeed divine intervention at play here. I believe she was placed in my home to not only bring endless hours of joy, laughter, and love, but to walk this path with me to healing, even when the chips seem to be at their lowest. I mean, she sees me at my lowest, at my smelliest, at my weakest, and she still stands by me. So much so that when I am at my lowest, she won’t let the dog walkers I’ve hired take her off the property. She is THAT WORRIED ABOUT ME. She is that committed to me.

With her, there is no pretense, no obligation, no expectation, just pure love.

And that is the gift of a lifetime. Never alone. Never forgotten. Never questioned. Just is. Thank you, Daryl at Connecticut Poodle Rescue.

I hope those of you reading this have a similar bond with a companion animal. I’m fascinated with this bond. Far better than a human, far more loyal than a dear friend. This is about a divine connection presented to me.