Who Saved Whom

I start each day with this large, hairy guy on my chest looking at me expectantly, and sometimes licking me, to wake me up. "Are you going to lay there wasting this beautiful day?" he seems to say. He won't let me. If I don't get up, he uses his paws to drag the covers off of me, despite any protestations. I generally do not like being rousted from my slumbers, but I cannot resist this guy.

I adopted him from Lab Rescue, shortly after I got sober, divorced and began living alone for the first time in my life. His huge, mournful eyes caught my attention and drew me in. He was part of a litter of mixed Black Labrador puppies. I know his mom was a Black Lab, but know nothing about his father. He came right up to me and licked my hands.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 6.5 million animals enter U.S. shelters every year, and about 1.5 million of those are euthanized. There is a great need for animals to be adopted by loving owners. And I needed the company. During the Covid pandemic, he was sometimes the only living being I encountered for days.

I was turning 50 years old and just wanted to hide. Dogs don't let you do that. Especially this dog. Harley is a very high energy dog. He needs to exercise and wants to say hello to anyone who crosses our path. He drew me out of my depression. He is sensitive to how I am feeling and seems to prescribe sunshine frequently. It works.

I named him "Harley" because I got my motorcycle license and a motorcycle as a gift to myself for my 50th birthday. Both my bike and my dog bring me joy. I am currently looking for a reasonably priced sidecar for Harley to ride with me. He loves riding in the car with me, especially with the convertible top down, so I think he will like the bike. We already have his wind goggles. God, he looks adorable in them!

We enjoy taking forest baths together. We explore new areas. We hike and appreciate woodland smells. He loves to swim and to play fetch. He has introduced me to neighbors, other dogs and friendly people all over the place.

Exercise can help ease mood disorders. Often it feels like he is walking me, as opposed to the other way around.

I know someone who lost 20 p0unds by adding brisk walks with his dog to his daily regimen. That has not been the case with me, but I do feel better to be moving around outdoors.

My fur baby keeps me warm at night. Yes, I let him sleep in my bed with me, and he wants to be touching me most of the time. We spoon. He likes to snuggle and does not mind if I tuck my cold feet under his tummy.

He eased my pain when I became an empty nester. When my children went off to college, I grieved for not being needed as I had been in the past. I had put most of my eggs in the motherhood basket and had given up a lucrative career for 15 years to raise my kids. I don't regret it and feel grateful that I was able to do that.

Harley doesn't mind my hugs and neediness. He relishes my attention. And he makes me feel safer when I am alone. He is a well-trained barker when anyone approaches my house. Statistics show that fewer thefts occur at houses guarded by a dog.

There is nothing like returning home to a dog. His love is unconditional, boundless and exuberant. He jumps, prances and kisses me like I am the best thing that has ever happened to him. Who would not want that?

This quote from Linda Blair strikes me as true: "People always joke that “dog” spells “god” backwards. They should consider that it might be the higher power coming down to see just how well they do, what kind of people they are. The animals are right here, right in front of us. And how we treat these companions is a test." I know I am passing the test. And it feels so good.