Our Pets

Our Pets...Zuko had another seizure this morning.  It was a  bad one and his second in two weeks - he is my constant companion. When I am sick he won't leave me.  He doesn't go to pee or eat - he just stays in the bed with me. Doesn't matter if I am gone a day or a month - He welcomes me home with the same happy dance and kisses. I know seizure disorders are common in his breed...yet I think my heart will shatter into a million pieces when he goes. I also know the shards will dull, and in time I may get another dog.  No Dog will be Zuko - Aldona Mae has two cats. They hiss at him, growl at him, claw at him - he does not do anything; well he comes and cries to me.  He doesn't understand why the cats don't like him.  The neighbors have two puppies.  Both puppies are bigger than Zuko and weigh a lot more than he does - the puppies are kept outside in a fenced area.  They are puppies and they do find ways out of the fenced area.  I pet them, give them some cookies or treats - their owners feed and water them, that's it.  They are starved for affection.  Zuko, no he does not like this.  He jumps in to rescue me, ready to take on both those dogs! He made the trip from Cali like a champ - no complaining, in the truck out of the truck, different motel, not much time to walk - he didn't mind.  He slept on the front seat between Aldona Mae and I, or when I was not driving he would sit on my lap.  Since we have been here in Texas he just goes with the flow.  He goes around the backyard, instinctively knowing it's boundaries.  He loves it when Jessica or Robert get home - he does his happy dance as he runs out to greet them.  Jessica likes to take him for a walk, he goes with her.  She likes to give him a bath - she gets in the tub with him - Zuko does not like a bath but he sits in there with her and endures the water and shampoo.  Dogs really are people - they are so smart, so in tune with their owners. Their love is without condition.  Their loyalty has no measure.  I wish I had a big piece of land so I could take all the dogs from the shelter - there really is nothing quite the same as a wet kiss on a bad day.  Still I know, one day, I will have to make the choice what is best for Zuko or perhaps God will take matters into his own hands.  Odd how sometimes we measure life by the losses instead of the victories.  I have had many pets, each special in his/her own way.  None quite like Zuko - I do believe he would do anything for me, as I would for him.  So I am just going to enjoy every second we share, every game we play, every wet kiss, and every happy dance - and if that time comes I am going to remember how many days he lied in bed with me because I could not get up, sacrificing his own needs and wants.  We, people I mean, we could learn a lot from a dog like Zuko - no judgements, no conditions, love and acceptance - loyal and ever ready to help - I need to be more like Zuko - he is a good person!