“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
— Josh Billings
On a beautiful Saturday evening, I sat on my porch, watching the sun set. Kong, our dog was running and digging frantically in the garden, a favorite pastime of his. How time flies! It felt like I had bought this ball of fur home, just yesterday.
With hope in my heart, I had moved to New York City to pursue my writing career years ago. With nowhere to live for the first two months, I had wound up at my sister’s house. It took a little while to get used to. It was all exhilarating, but many a time lonely and scary. The day I found my new home was the day that changed my life.
Stepping out into the rainy, wintry air, I hustled to deposit the trash from settling in, at a garbage dump nearby. As I turned around to leave, I heard a whimpering noise. Looking around, I found where it came from. A puppy, the size of my palm, was lying there, cold and scared. The moment I saw him, I knew that this little pup would be my source of happiness and comfort in this big city.
It only took a few days for Kong to become my best friend. He blended in perfectly with my life. He loved sitting with his nose on my lap as I worked or climbing on top of me as I watched television. He slept snuggled up by legs at night and welcomed me with big wet kisses when I returned home. He adores taking walks in the park and playing with all the toys he’s pampered with. Nothing has changed even now, with the exception of his size.
Friends Are… Happy Friendship Week!
Aaliyah always maintained a distance with Kong in the early days as their first interaction didn’t go as planned. For the first time I had made waffles for her and had just about placed it in the plate in front of her, when Kong came out of nowhere and swooped it up. Now when I tease her she laughs, “Hey! Bob no matter the solar eclipse now I can stare in the sky without the guards!” We both chuckle and Kong thinks we are playing around and he joins in.
Dogs are a bundle of joy and they push you towards positivity and cheer with their playfulness. Having a dog and stroking it increases the dopamine levels in your body which is also known as the “happy hormone.”
It is rightly said dogs are a man’s best friend. They provide a strong sense of companionship, alleviating stress levels and making you smile when you are sad. Their energy is infectious. Dogs guard, protect and love you with their life. After a while, an exhausted Kong curled up near me and we watched the sun set together before heading in.
Adopt, don’t shop. You can save a life. It will be the best decision you made.