I see on my “Larry’s Words of Wisdom” desk calendar that May 20 is National Rescue Dog Day. As you may or may not know, I am a Rescue Dog, and proud of it. I was one of a litter of three puppies who were dropped off at the Arizona Labrador & Giant Breed Rescue because we were too rambunctious for the household where we lived. The rescue place named us Curly, Moe, and Larry. Curly and Moe were adopted right away. I was upset and lonesome at first, but I changed my attitude and considered it as me searching for the right humans to rescue.
One day I visited a home with a big fenced-in yard and two humans looking for a new pup. I checked them out. They looked a little too clean and a little too quiet. Their floors were spotless and their yard manicured. Were they the right fit for me? I thought we could do a trial sleepover to see. I made sure I was on my best behavior, giving them the soft eyes look and slight head tilts. I peed on the puppy mats and slept through the night. I think they liked me, and from what I initially observed, I liked them too and decided to rescue them.
First, I rescued them from their dangerously tidy house. A home without dog hair is a home without character. Next, I rescued them from boredom. Suddenly they had important daily missions:
- Morning walks (also known as sniffing marathons)
- Afternoon treat negotiations
- Potted plant clean ups due to over-exuberant zoomies
- Evening security patrols to protect against encroaching lizards
As the years went on, I’ve discovered that I rescued them emotionally too. They laugh more. They play more. They talk more. They vacuum more. (Okay, that one might be emotionally disturbing.) But they’re never lonesome. I lean in. I stay close. I drop my favorite toy in their laps. I claim 87% of the sofa when we watch TV.
Whether we rescue dogs, or humans, or cats (there, I said it), take a moment to appreciate all the ways our lives have been improved.
Happy Mother’s Day.
Love, Larry