After a particularly trying day at work, my co-worker suggested I go home to be with people who love me. When I got home, everyone was upstairs getting ready for bed. Soon, I heard the soft thud of four fuzzy feet making their way down the stairs and there was Annie, wagging her tail, greeting me with a big furry smile. The problems of the day seem to wash away with each scratchy lick she gave.
Annie is a lesson in unconditional love. After our total fail with our first foster dog, Nemo, I was uncertain whether or not we would find the right golden for our family. I tried to prepare the kids that it might take a long time, if ever. I wasn't sure I was willing to go down the foster road again. I thought it might be better for someone else to determine the dog's issues again to avoid future carpet replacement and heartbreak as we did with Nemo. And then came Annie....
I had seen Annie on Golden Bonds web site. She is 5 (or 7...a little unclear) as of this coming Saturday. The foster mom had written a glowing report about her wonderful personality and charming attributes. But, Annie came to the rescue organization with a lot of skin problems. She was missing about half of her fur and had multiple infections. We are told that the family who raised her didn't really care for her and that, combined with the skin issues, had led them to contemplate putting her down before a neighbor stepped in.
The foster mom treated her like royalty, loved her, fed her primarily home cooked meals and rehabilitated her skin. I was told that she was very particular about who she placed her foster dogs with (understandably) so I was quite surprised when she called me and asked if we might be interested in meeting Annie. I knew I couldn't keep up the regimen of only home cooked meals (not even my human people get that) and I do work a couple of days a week.
We instantly fell in love when Annie came to visit. She was perfect. It took awhile to convince the foster mom that we would do right by her and ensure she didn't get too lonely the two days I am at work but finally, Annie was ours.
We have had Annie for six months now. She is remarkable. Annie just wants to be where we are - whether we are going for a car ride or hanging out home. She is happiest with her people. She also instantly picked up on the fact that Audrey was the one that advocated for us getting another dog and needed her the most. She goes to bed when the kids go to bed and doesn't come downstairs until Audrey gets up. They read together, play together and just hang out together. If it weren't for her girth and snoring problem, she would sleep with Audrey too but, as it is, she waits outside her door. They are like two peas in a pod. I think she merely tolerates her days with me until the kids get home.
This morning it struck me that I need to try to love more like Annie. Annie doesn't judge. She doesn't talk back and isn't sarcastic. She is content just being in her loved ones' presence. She has endless patience. I am not sure about some of her choices in the things she puts in her mouth, but we all have our issues. It is unfathomable to me that her life could have been cut prematurely. She has enriched our family so greatly.
So, as we approach her 5th or 7th birthday, Happy Birthday, Annie. You are the best.
