In the past, I have written about many issues that bother me. When I go through my own blog, I realize that I don’t talk enough about the part of my life that makes me happy beyond words; my two wonderful pups – Whisky and Luca!
Whisky, a golden retriever and my older pup, is almost 3 years old now. She came into my life at a time when emotionally, I was pretty drained due to a bad personal relationship. Just deciding to bring her home took a lot of courage on my part because even though I had always wanted to have my own dog, I had never come this close to actually owning one. I was nervous about my own ability to take on such a big responsibility, more so because I had no clue about what responsibilities that would come with in the first place. When I had made up my mind that I was going to go ahead, it helped that my father didn’t oppose or put doubts in my mind. So it was on 4th December, 2016, that my partner at the time and I, drove to Yale, Michigan, to bring home my Whisky! As she grew up, she watched every bit of my frustration and anger along with my pure helplessness through the multiple fights and constant yelling . She would act out during such times by chewing on furniture around the house. In some ways, she saved me. Slowly, she became my outlet to escape. It took me a while to build the bond I have with her today and there were days when I didn’t know if I would ever be able to build that bond. But with time, it happened. We had our rough periods when her training was not going as expected and when my grandfather came to visit us, she got a lot of scolding from me/my father for not being gentle around my grandfather. I blame my father for not standing up for her during those times as he knew she was a baby and couldn’t help but be playful. She wasn’t rough with my father. Because she knew he would play along. Even then, she would keep trying to win my grandfather over by playing near his feet or laying down with her head on his lap. Those were some of the most adorable moments.
Soon after, it was just Whisky and me, for quite a while, just the way I always wanted. I would have liked to have my parents in the picture too, knowing how much they would have loved her. But nevertheless, we both started growing up together. I believe having her changed me for the better by making me have a focus in life, her. I was never the social type where I had multiple social events lined up for me on a regular basis. So I never had the occasion of feeling guilty for not being able to give her time. She was my time. The time I spent with her, wasn’t like me constantly hovering over her. She did her own thing and I did mine but she always was within eye sight. Rather, I should say, she always kept me within her eyesight. She followed me around throughout our tiny apartment. Soon, she became my whole world. Every day, I would itch to just go home from work, back to her. She did have her moments when she was stubborn and would do infuriating things like tearing up the carpet and chewing off the case cover of my Christmas CDs when I let her stay out of her crate for the first time when I went to work but overall, she became my life. When time came around for her first birthday, I couldn’t believe how much we had accomplished together. She had grown from a pup with stomach problems and stubbornness to a healthy, beautiful and (mostly) obedient dog. As for me, I had become responsible, strong willed and a much happier person.
Soon, we moved to another apartment, this time a townhouse. I started reading about things like how two dogs are better as they can keep each other company. I started thinking about getting another dog, not for me but for Whisky! This time too, my father was supportive. I decided to take the plunge and within a few months of applying and waiting, my new pup, Luca, a Bernedoodle, was delivered to my doorstep on 28th October, 2018. He was barely 8 weeks old. Whisky was extremely apprehensive of this new little creature and tried to stay as far away from him as possible during the first few days. But slowly, she opened up with him and now shes the one who keeps bothering him to play. They chase each other, play tug with each other, steal each other’s toys and keep each other company while I run around doing my household chores. He keeps following me around every where I go like Whisky used to when she was a pup. He tries to sit on my lap every chance he gets. He is a quick learner in terms of tricks as long as I am diligent in my training attempts. Potty training took a while (hopefully its done) but then I went about it the wrong way with Whisky so I don’t think I can really compare. He is affectionate and very “pawsy”. He loves to talk with his paws and his tilted head stares. Together, the two of them are now my whole reason of existence!
With Luca being relatively new to the house, I still feel more attached to Whisky. I feel more like a care giver to Luca at this point but with Whisky, its gone beyond that. With time, I am sure these bonds will develop into something even more. They make me careful, responsible and focused. They force me to take care of myself because I always fear of what will happen to them if something happens to me. And most of all, I earn what I earn to support them (and a little indulgence for myself). I love them so much!!!
Musings of a confused nut! 