The Dangers of Puppy Love
Speech written November 30, 2017
Romeo and Juliet, Aladdin and Jasmine, Meg and Hercules, John Smith and Pocahontas. These are the couples that come to mind when I think of “love at first sight”. As a kid, I remember watching movies or reading stories with this type of love that exploded out of thin air. I never really believed it. I didn’t think that it was real let alone could...or would happen to me. Until December 17, 2016….
It was a beautiful blue bird day in the city of 300 days of sun. Warm enough for a typical Boulder light puffy coat. Traffic was light and something was in the air. I had just picked up Ellie from the last final of her undergrad. As we were driving home, I began to say, “So you’re done! Schools out! What do you want to do the rest of the day!?” As you get to know our relationship you’ll come to find that we are both so easy going that sometimes it is IMPOSSIBLE to make a decision to do something.
She says, “We could go get some pet therapy?” I reply, “yeah? Where would you like to go?” “Boulder humane society?” she asked. I said, “is that what you want to do?” Ellie said, “it’s up to you.” I look back at the road and realize that the turn to go to the humane society is 100 feet ahead. She says, “Tor choose.” At that moment...something inside me said “TURN! TURN!!!”
So I did.
We pulled up to the building with the sole intention of petting some furry creatures and then getting on with our day. After we stepped inside of the human society for our session of pet therapy, I began to walk from cage to cage to say hello to these homeless furry little friends. It was fairly loud in there that day. I’m not sure if the dogs were talking about getting fed soon, being taken on a walk, or what, but there was A LOT of barking. Some of the dogs were older, some were little tiny pups, and some were right in between.
Some of the dogs would push their whole bodies up against the cage door begging for the pts. Others would lay curled up on their bed timid- unsure of where they were, what to do, and how to act.
After wandering around the building for quite some time, I got to the last row, in the very back right hand corner of the dog section. I saw this small, golden dog sitting in the cage. He had a light grey, wrinkly snout, disproportionately big pointy ears, and a small white mark on his chest. He was underweight and had a very splotchy coat. He was lacking light in his eyes, but something in me knew that there was light through his darkness.
He wasn’t barking like every other dog in the place. As I came near, he stood up. He was just standing there, slightly letting his tail wag his body. All of a sudden I felt something that I had never felt before.
Is this what Romeo and Juliet felt? Hercules and Meg? Aladdin and Jasmine? Is this what love at first sight feels like?
I tried to shake it off, to allow logic to win and push the feelings out of my heart.
I turned and walked away, continuing to look at other dogs. A few moments later I found myself standing outside of his cage, yet again. I squatted down and put my hand up to the cage. He walked over, looked at me with those hazel brown eyes, gave my hand one lick, looked at me again and gave me a head nod. I said to him, “I don’t know what you’re doing to me, dog...”
Ellie walked over and said to me, “you’ve been over here for a while…” she pauses, “Who is this?” I nervously said, “ I don’t know but I’m going to find someone so I can visit with him.”
A woman led us to a room with glass walls, where there was only one chair inside. I suddenly felt like I was in a trance. That destiny was guiding my every move. It didn’t feel like it was me. Another lady came to the room and brought him in.
The dog seemed confused yet excited. Walking around the room, sort of pacing. I squatted down, keeping my energy calm and welcoming- unsure if he would approach me and get close. He walked over to me and sat right down, looked up at me, and let out a big sigh. Our eyes locked. My heart relaxed, and opened. I noticed that I felt at home for the first time with anybody else. At that moment, I realized that I believe in love at first sight, and it was happening TO ME.
Our life journey together began that day. Day dreaming of hikes in the FlatIrons, skinning up mountains, splashing around in creeks and lakes, maybe even flying home to visit mom and dad in New England.
Rudy and I have had 11 incredible months together now. He is a very, very smart boy. He rings a bell to go outside and do his business. He knows how to “stick em up” and get on his back legs- but not jump on you. He knows how to tune into human emotion and be there to love and support you.
Each and every day, he reminds me to relax and enjoy life- in the moment. He encourages me to be present and make time for play.
Although he is learning a lot from me about trust, love, and companionship I am learning even more from him.
I truly hope that you enjoyed hearing our love story. Rudy and I will continue to be friends and embark on adventures for many years to come. Thank you.