My Faithful Canine Companion

I have often acknowledged that I prefer the company of my dog to the company of most humans.  It is a position for which I offer no apology.   

Today, my faithful canine companion celebrates a birthday.  Truthfully when you are a dog whose life is, well, Sam’s then every day is your special day.   Every time I see her sprawled across Margaret’s lap, snoring, while Margaret and I watch television at night or every time I watch her tear ass across the back yard during our nightly Dingo session, I smile and think of my father’s reaction every time he heard someone use the phrase “It’s a dog’s life” as if that was a bad thing.  Dad used to laugh and say, “I wish I lived a dog’s life.  I’d have it made.”  

Sam would agree with my father.  

We adopted Sam when she was approximately twelve weeks old.  She arrived in our home in late March 2018 tasked with doing the impossible, which was to fill the hole left in our hearts by Rosie’s death three weeks earlier.  Since her arrival almost four years ago, she has made the impossible attainable.  

I smile at the thought of being Sam’s third-favorite human in our house.  I am far up the track behind Margaret and behind Joe, both of whom she absolutely adores.   Better yet, I am comfortable with knowing that I am no better than Sam’s fifth-favorite human.  Jill and Joe both are ahead of me in Sam’s rankings.  

Fifth place is more than good enough.  Sam has a big motor and a big heart.  Me?  I am happy that she shares both with me.  

Margaret is just happy Sam shares a bit of the couch with her.  

Happy Birthday, Fats.

-AK