When I think about dogs, especially one of my own, I know that there is always a storyto be shared with others.
My last dog, Mr. Neville, lived to be 19 years old. He was a gift from a B&N co-worker, Ray, who could no longer keep him. I swore to my friends and family that when he passed, there would be no more. I just couldn't take the unforgiving sense of loss that came with each and every dog. I was getting too old. And the fact that I had had over 53 dogs during my lifetime meant each dog took a major toll when he or she departed for the Rainbow Bridge. But I also knew that each dog brought a certain distinct joy to my life, an unmistakable blessing in disguise.
September 4th marks the one-year anniversary date of my adoption of Buttons from the Burlington Pet Adoption Center, a blind dog who is my forever friend and companion.
At our first and only meeting when the Adoption Center employee, Trevor, brought Buttons to the meet and greet room, sparks began to fly. Buttons jumped into my lap and licked my face. He was off to a very good start. Then he jumped up on Buck's leg, my Uber driver, and licked his hand. That was the clencher. Buck had warned me. He did not want me to take on a handicapped dog when he knew I was an old guy who walks with a cane. Because I knew that a dog is love personified, I knew I had to try.
My father, the kinder patriarch of the family, used to tell me to look for my answers with my heart, But my mother, the stricter of the two, would tell me to use my soul while always making sure to do the right thing. That is what I did! Things were just meant to be. Someone up above knew they had to make it work, and it did! I honestly do not know if love at first sight can apply when only one of the participants can see. But, in this case, it did. It was, and it was for both parties.
For those folks who passed on Buttons because of his disability, you gave up on a diamond in the rough. And I say that because he does have his moments. He barks at length during thunder and lightning storms, and loud, strange noises that he cannot see coming.
On the other hand, he is perfectly housetrained. God bless the person responsible for that. I take him out at regularly scheduled intervals. But if he needs to go out again, he will sit in front of the door and chortle. I leash him up, and out we go. And yes, he does have his favorite spots especially if it is raining. He also has no trouble locating is food and water bowls.
This dog is the most faithful companion a guy could ever wish for. But the best thing about having Buttons here with me is having Buttons here with me!