Love reinventing lives
dog and human alike,
Connections made
exquisite and pure,
Never to be broken
even with death.
Just as we develop relationships with people, we also develop relationships with our animals. The connection with people can unfold emotionally and intellectually. Sometimes, what begins as a professional association will blossom into a more personal relationship due to like interests or values. Our relationships with our pets can also begin slowly, but as an animal’s personality emerges, our love may vary in its intensity.
The love I feel for my pets is non-transferable. I believe each of my pets has brought something special into the relationship, whether it be following me around the house constantly, singing to their dad, rolling upside down into their cockroach position, or being afraid of their own shadow. Each difference shapes the way I view them. The dog who shivers physically when faced with an unfamiliar event will provoke a sympathetic love while the one that is pushy and knows his abilities generates an emotion that mirrors that strength. 
Think about the animals you have loved. Was your love the same for each one? The animals that are with me at any given time are always my favorites. But realistically, the love felt varies because each comes with a unique personality affecting the way I view them. 
Kiowa and Emma exhibit their uniqueness through facial expressions and body language. Whether they are chasing me around the house after I put my sneakers on (Walk Time!) or harassing the one in the desired bed by hovering and staring (they do have 5 beds), they express their desires very clearly and humorously. Several of our dogs have revealed their propensity for the “cockroach” position (lying upside down with four legs sprawled in the air when sleeping). When Emma does it, she shapes her body into a semi-circle (‘how’ is the question). Looks uncomfortable to me. Another endearing quality is the way these two play with toys. The other day, I saw Ki with his head in the toy basket rooting for something. He was very intense. Emma, on the other hand, will pretty much play with any toy, but it MUST be brought into the sunroom where mounds of her toys end up. You get the picture. These two are always up to something, and I feel that they are the dogs of my heart, my forever dogs. They love me ardently and display that by constantly putting their heads on my lap wanting to be cuddled and caressed. Do I just feel the reciprocation of that love or do I love their spirits? Probably both is the answer.
Each dog loved my family in its own rare way. Our last two dogs, Rusty and Kazi, were affectionate with us, however, most of their love was directed toward each other. When in the backyard, Rusty would stand over a reposing Kazi as if in protection. When Kazi got loose, and we finally got her back after 24 hours, she looked at us like she didn’t know who we were but wagged her tail happily when she saw her Rusty. Another one of our pets, Yankee, began life with us as a foster. He feared the world when confronted with anything unknown to him, and shook uncontrollably. When taking him places in the car, I had to climb into the back of the van to urge him out. He loved us as his protectors, and our love made him feel safe. We cherished each of our dogs, but their individuality determined our love’s intensity .
What makes your present dogs special? What special charms did your past dogs possess? Has personality impressed a slight variation in your love for each dog? In truth, we really don’t need to know why we love our dogs, just that we love them with all our hearts.
