Four Years Ago Today…

This little guy came into the world.

It was a warm October afternoon in Utah, and I was in my bedroom surfing the web after finishing my voice lessons for the day.  We had recently gotten rid of our bad roommate, Jim, and thought I might give dog ownership a try.  I had never owned a dog before.  Growing up, we’d had a couple of cats until mom decided we were allergic to them.  (I’m still not allergic, but my brother is, so…you know, I guess that’s okay.)

I had been looking at the Humane Society for a dog, but hadn’t found one that felt like a good fit.  I decided to look at the KSL classifieds, and found a picture of four little Golden Retriever puppies.  I called the lady, and she invited me to her home in South Jordan.  I grabbed my roommate Stephen, and we hopped in the car.  An hour later, Stephen was holding this nine week old bundle of fuzz and we were back on the highway to Provo.  A quick stop at PetSmart for a crate, food, food & water dishes, and toys, and Brody (renamed to Luke) made himself at home in my life.

I am not the kind of person who attributes every single aspect of life to the hand of divine intervention.  I believe that a lot of things just happen.  Luke the Dog, however, was sent to me.  He came into my life before I needed him, and was there for me through a very difficult time in my personal life.  He would also come to fill a void that I didn’t even realize I would feel once I moved away from everything I knew into a new world, and left behind all of my friends and family.

Over the last four years, he has been my child, my heating pad, my snuggle buddy, and, above all, my best friend.  As a naturally negative person, he’s helped me see how a little positivity can go a long way in making your life a better one.  He is always happy to see me, always wants to be around me, and loves every second of his life…except getting baths.

Because of Luke, I’m more social and talk with complete strangers.  Because of Luke, I have neighbors who are also friends.  Because of Luke, I am forced to get off my butt and enjoy the outdoors three or four times a day.  Because of him, I’ve seen amazing sunrises and sunsets, walked through gorgeous winter fogs, taken some of my favorite pictures, and seen parts of my own neighborhood I never would have known existed.

He makes me feel loved, makes me happy, relieves my stress, gives me someone other than myself to take care of, and makes me laugh.  He has reminded me over and over again that sometimes, the greatest joy comes from the simplest things.  He has helped me experience many new things I wouldn’t have even considered otherwise, and he’s helped me see my world from an entirely different vantage point.

I never thought that I would become a dog person.  They can be messy, needy, and more than a little stupid.  They make going on vacation very difficult, and cut down on spontaneity.  People with children will often tell you that, even though children are messy and expensive, they’re so worth it.  For me, Luke is the same way. I would never give up Luke in order to avoid the messes or the expense.  The joy that this 80-pound bundle of fur brings to me far, far outweighs the comparatively insignificant costs.

Luke and I have developed a tradition for his Birthday.  Every year, we go to the dog park.  Then we go to Petco and Luke gets to pick out any toy that he wants and get a rawhide.  Then we go to Dairy Queen, and Luke gets a cheeseburger kids meal and an ice cream cone.  It’s a great tradition, and it makes him so happy.  And, as a result, it makes me happy.

Happy Birthday Luke.  I’m grateful beyond words you’re my dog and I’m your human. 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I still owe someone his birthday belly scratches.