It is hard to describe or even make sense of the emotional attachment to a dog (or, for that matter, any other animal, I suppose). I am not a “cat person” but that is only because I don’t know any cats. Never have had one so don’t really understand them. I do know a dog, however. I know her well.
The reason why I know a dog is that she has been living with me every single day for 4 years and she is always close to me. She follows me around and is always in the same room no matter what I am doing. I always took that closeness for granted. Until I entered MEtirement. Since I have been spending my days at home recently, I finally noticed that I was never alone. Can you even imagine being so close to someone that you have to be in the same room with them every minute of every day? Well, to a dog, this is what they just assume is normal behavior!
This dog. Bella. I never thought I could “replace” her predecessor but I was wrong. It does not take long for a puppy to worm (bad choice of a word!) his or her way into your heart. There is a reason why they call them “puppy-dog eyes”. Totally irresistible.
What is there about having a dog around that makes MEtirement even more precious and enjoyable? First, you are never, ever alone. There is always someone there to talk to (not kidding, I freely admit to talking to the dog). Second, you have someone to take care of besides yourself so you become more selfless (note that I refer to the dog as “someone” and not “something”–a distinction only dog lovers can understand). Third, you are loved and appreciated because you are theirs. All a dog wants is you. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you have accomplished or not accomplished in your life. They want you and only you.
Loyalty and devotion are wonderful things. In people those traits are sometimes non-existent, unreliable and/or fleeting. In contrast, your dog is your dog is your dog and no matter what, that dog will love you to the ends of the earth and to the end of time. Every. Single. Minute. It’s a wonderful feeling and MEtirement affords you the luxury of time–not only to do whatever you want but to spend it with a dog who is now trying to figure out why they suddenly got so lucky to have you around a lot more. Just another thing in which to revel in MEtirement. Full time dog loving.