It's a dog's life

One thing I enjoy about our neighbourhood is the residents. The canine residents. Cooper, Copper, Shadow, Sam, Jakes, Scrappers, Harley and Mikey. Our girls, Annie and Sydney, made sure we all got to know each other, and even though, for the most part, we don't know their owners, it doesn't matter. In a dog's life, loyalty is extended to anyone who is kind and gentle and makes them feel part of the family.

Unfortunately, both our girls are now gone. Annie stayed with us for 17 years before deciding it was time to go, and shortly afterward, when Sydney was barely 10, she was stricken with lung cancer and had no choice but to leave. At first, it was awful for us. Walking was painful, the old routes were abandoned, visiting was no longer part of our equation.

However, as time passed and grief subsided, we succumbed to the call of the neighbourhood and ventured out, reacquainting ourselves with our canine friends. It was good to know they hadn't forgotten us, and spending time with them reminded us how much better our life is when dogs are a part of it.

Some people can welcome new dogs before or shortly after the loss of a faithful friend. Sadly, we are not those people. Until now, the best we could do was to live vicariously through our neighbourhood's canine residents, but I sense that the time is coming. There are a few things we need to do first, but we are just being careful, making sure we can give them what they need to feel loved and safe.

A dog's life is meant to be with people. People who are kind and gentle and will make them feel part of the family. We can do that. We will do that. It's what our girls would want us to do.