Today was one of those days.
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Where you wake up with nightmares, or from them. Either way, it sets the tone for the rest of your day. I don’t have them often but like a lot of people, I do have them. Some bad experiences in the past, no matter how much you move on, no matter how much you grow and change can come back and make you feel terrified.
It took me a while to realize the scream was my own and when I did, I found myself immediately searching for Clarke, my male GSD who had always been my rock. Clarke’s been gone for eight years and I am still looking for the right shepherd to bring into the house next. Needless to say, he wasn’t there.
However, three of my four zoi were there, surrounding me. protecting me. The pup still is crated at night. But Nina, Lily, and Opal were there. One on each side and one in front between me and the door. There are moments in time where you get to see how amazing animals truly are and for me, this was one of them. Those three are all therapy dogs and have this uncanny way of calming people down, others, and I guess I just look at it as, well, it’s what they do. They’re just that way. Good dogs, great dogs who have no problem offering comfort. I usually get the goofy side, the prankster side. The tug of war, let’s do a squeakerectomy and shower the entire floor with the stuffing side. The lets lay in the mud then run through the house side. Chase the cat up and down the stairs, just because it would be fun.
I’m the leader, their alpha, but it’s always nice to remember that they have my back on days when I don’t much feel like the alpha, when my life is reverted back to the panicked scared 13 yo girl. These dogs are family, they make me smile, laugh, and have an entire other outlook on life. I thank the breeders wh0 gave me a chance with their dogs, I thank my friends in the dog world who are always there to answer questions and welcomed me whether it was for racing, showing, or whatever. I thank my dog trainer who never let me give up but reminded me I could do whatever I wanted with a zoi, it may take a bit more work but it could be done.
And last but never least, to all the dogs I have had in the past who taught me how blessed one is to be loved unconditionally no matter what type of day it was. They always have a wag and a cuddle ready.
Now that I have gotten that out, guess I should get some writing done. Have a wonderful day and never let anyone tell you an animal is just a pet. They are so much more than that.