We are going to take a little journey down memory lane.  Remember, I said that this journey was not all bad.  Well, I am a woman holding herself to her word.  I wish to share something lovely to think on…a gift from God, perhaps, that He has kept on repeating all my life!

I can’t tell you how many times I hear someone call out the name of an elementary teacher they once had.  As I was walking along my trail the other day, I began to ponder how some people had memories that sharp, while I cannot even remember the names of most of the schools I attended. 

I can, however, tell you the name of every dog I have ever had in my life, as well as most of the names of all the other pets I had.  I am guessing that our memories are most solidly embedded wherever the deepest part of our character development happens.  I am sure that for many, it made all of the difference in the world to have a teacher or mentor believe in and support you.  I however, was already so closed and distrustful of adults that no one even had a chance with me, I suppose. 

I truly believe that if I had not had a dog in my life, God would have been hard pressed to shape me into someone capable of love.  I did not say He couldn’t, just that it would have been harder, and I am glad He always seeks the gentlest ways first.  I am not being flippant, just in case you were wondering, as dogs for me, were a lifeline!

             I do not have any memories of feeling love from either of my parents, not to say that they did not love me.  A lot of right and a lot of wrong have been done in the name of love, since time began.  What I do remember of any happiness or affection came from a dog.  Unadulterated love and devotion with each and every little furry soul that shared my journey.  I am now going to test myself to see how much I remember…

Buttons – My moms’ black poodle, but she babysat us kids like a bossy auntie.

Rags – My old English sheepdog – lost too soon.

Zach – My foster brothers black lab.  Funny dog…kept his own private stash of rocks and sticks under his bed.

Ferran – My Fawn Doberman – I had to learn all of her commands in German, as that was how she had been trained.

Cricket – My little Dachshund. She was there for the birth of my children, as well as to destroy all of my personal clothing when she got mad.  I also helped her raise three litters of her own babies.

Sadie – Our Golden Retriever was found in the mountains in a hollowed-out log with her litter mates.  What a Lady!

Bear – Our Sheltie, had to have been one of the smartest dogs that I ever had the pleasure of training.  He was amazing!  I did the basics, but my oldest really took off with him, going all the way to the state fair with him in 4-H.  I was so proud of them both.

Ollie – He was my first pug.  I only had him 2 short years when someone stole him right off of our front porch.  I searched for him for several years with no success.

Penny – Our second pug.  God Bless her but that dog could not be quiet to save her life…its ok though because my kids couldn’t either so she fit right in.

Kitty – My Schnauzer – I loved her, though she found me to be too stressful.  She fell in love with a friend of mine and I finally decided she was happier in a calmer environment than mine, so she got to stay with them.

Harley and Busa – My hubby and I found two twin black pugs.  We could not choose, so we got both.  Creed, my husband, loves fast bikes, and I love the big noisy ones.  I leave you to it to guess who belonged to who…lol…no I won’t…Besides, I think that Harley’s pic is all over every current piece of social media I have…lol.

There are too many furry creatures to mention, as myself and my children adopted every creature known to man, so I will stop here for your sakes.  It has been a few years now, since we said goodbye, and now for the first time in my life, I am an orphan.

 Do not take this as a bad thing, as I count every single year we had together as a blessing, and since I believe in all things having a purpose and a time, I will allow God to select my next forever home…

*Note to future perspective furry companions: I walk myself, I don’t eat much, nor do I pee on the floor, and I only bark at or bite my husband, promise!