My Dog is My Bestest Buddy

Two years ago, we got a puppy from the the Lake Country SPCA. We had no idea what breed she was (the vet can't even figure that one out), with her extra-soft brown fur, her shorter-than-normal tail and her one blue eye. She was just the prettiest little thing. She wasn't one of those hyper, jumping, lick-you-all-over-your-face dogs. Rather, she was one of those dogs who just wants to be loved. We didn't ask about her background, but we could tell that she'd been through quite a lot. Her foster mom would only tell us that she had been everywhere. Therefore, we named her Gypsy. Gypsy was supposed to be Devin's dog. After all, doesn't every young boy need a dog? But over the last 2 years, Gypsy has become just as much mine as she is his. When I come in my back door, she eagerly runs over to greet me. She's ecstatic that I am back. It doesn't matter if I have been gone for five minutes or five hours. Her reaction is always same; she's delighted to see me, no matter what. This is the unconditional love of a dog for her owner. Her unconditional love for me will not end if I lose every dime I have, or if I change my hair color from blonde to brunette. She will still love me if I wear designer clothes or sloppy sweats or pajamas (see yesterday's post!). Or whether I drive a fancy car or an old clunker. She will still love me if I am cranky or unreasonable or lazy or sad. If I screw up and snap or yell at her, she forgives quickly and never loves me less for it. She never asks me why I am late or where I've been and never gets mad at me for anything. She just wants to be with me. Whatever room I'm in, she follows me there. When I sit down, she sits beside me. She is very protective of me, and although she's never bitten anyone, I have no doubt that she would if she felt that I was in harm's way. She can sit and shake and lie down on command, and she can catch Cheerios right out of the air when I toss them to her...every time. Someone wise once said, "My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am." And that's why today, I am thankful for my dog.