Houston

My Dog

I lost my dog today.

She was spoiled and lazy. She hogged the bed and snored all night then woke up too early in the morning to be fed. She always seemed to need out the most when it was raining the hardest. When I was most tired was when she insisted on going for a walk. Then she pulled on her leash and ate garbage off the ground. She tormented the cat and stole his food. Her breath smelt like a sewer. She shed hair over every inch of the house. You could never eat in peace with her around. She mooched constantly. My dog was a huge pain in the ass.

But she was also the kindest, most loving, caring, genuine, loyal creature I have ever known.
She loved life. She awoke every morning happy for a new day to start.
She wanted to be friends with every other living thing. The strongest part of her was her tail from wagging it so much.
She got old, she got sick, but her spirit never wavered. She just carried on in her happy way making the best of it. Always giving those around her more than she wanted in return.

Its hard to remember when she was not part of my life.
Saying she was my best friend does not even begin to describe it. She was so much more.
When no one needed me, she needed me most.
No matter what i did, she always forgave me.
When I was lonely she hopped on the bed and laid her head on the pillow beside me.
When I felt the world had abandoned me, she was at my side.

I will always feel I owe her something. How do you repay something that has taught you so much about life? Has given you so much and asked for so little? I cannot.
The truth is I was always a lot more flawed as a human being than she was as a dog.
I'm not as friendly as she was. My heart is not as pure as hers, my love not as unconditional as hers.
I do promise though that years from now if someone ever asks me if I have any pets my answer will be yes. Because you will always be not only in my heart, but part of who I am.

Most people believe in God in some way shape or form. And their reasons for their belief vary. For me its pretty simple.
I believe in God because only God could have given me the gift I had for the past 13 years.
Only God could have made such a beautiful creature.
Only God could have understood how much I needed her and brought her to me.
I only hope that I live my life decently and honourably enough to be with you again one day. If I am that privilaged I know you'll be waiting with your tail wagging.
We'll go for a walk.

David Ronan