10/10/24-Happy Birthday Wadey

I know it has been a week or so since I wrote here, but I just haven't been inspired on a topic.  But I'm still out here, plugging along, day by day.

I am definitely a dog person.   There has been Cupcake (the dog of my youth), Bob (Pizza Boy) and Jake (the Superdog).  Plus the sisters Cocoa and Princess Pebbles. Now it's Abby and Wade.

Why am I such a lover of dogs?  They are the ultimate expression of love, companionship and devotion.  They are lost if you go anywhere without them.  And when you come home they act as if you they haven't seen you in a hundred years.  They seem to know when you need to be entertained by play or when you just need them to comfort you by laying at your side.

Today is Wade Wilson's 7th Birthday.  He is our first "rescue" dog.  The first year of his life he spent tied outside somewhere before he was liberated The Rescued Dog.  He had grown into his restraint so much that he has a permanent bald spot around his neck where his collar would be. I saw a picture of him on their website and was sure he was the dog for me.

We went to a Saturday adoption event and I could see that he was timid and insecure.  I'm sure his tough life as a puppy contributed to that.  Plus I think he was in the foster home for at least a few months and was probably a little insecure.  Being a year old and being a black dog (I don't understand why but black dogs are not as desirable) probably made him one of the dogs left behind at these adoptions.

But I was convinced he was the dog for me.  I could see the caring in his eyes.  I pulled him aside and told him if he wanted to he could come home with me and I promised I would never leave him.

Over the years he has become very comfortable with us.  He still has some anxiety issues especially when we go on walks, but he is the most caring, loving companion I could have asked for.  I am sure he knows I am sick and is doing everything he can to be there for me.  He likes to lay near me.  He checks in on me when I sleep.  He knows we can't wrestle and play like we used to, but he does his best to keep me in check and show me he is in charge.

It makes me sad that I probably won't be able to keep my promise to him to never leave him.  I don't know when that will be but someday I will be gone.  That's hard.  My human family will understand when I'm gone, but Wade will just be waiting and wondering when I'm going to come back.

To all the dogs in my life-thanks for the love and companionship.  You have each meant more to me than you can imagine and I could never show you how important you were to me.

But today it's all about Wade.  Happy Birthday Buddy.