I’ve never thought of myself of being a dog owner. The reason why I ended up with a dog was that my mom didn’t have the time and resources to take care of another dog. She herself had 5 dogs at that time and she couldn’t take care of another one. My mom was known to rescue dogs. She wanted to love more but she couldn’t physically do it. So I decided to take one of her dogs, Roo home with me. I didn’t expect that from that day on, my life would be forever changed.
I just graduated from college when I first met Roo. I was struggling through so many life problems – I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a career, I felt lost, I didn’t have enough money for food, and I was in a bad relationship. My life was a mess. I went home that year for the holidays and that is when I decided to take Roo home. I definitely had a freak-out moment when Roo was sitting on her bed staring at me. I stared back at her and was questioning “how am I going to take care of something else if I can’t even take care of myself.”
I never would have guessed that learning to take care of a dog would have taught me how to take care of myself, both physically and emotionally. I started to understood what real unconditional love looked like. I learned a lot about myself in terms of patience and gratitude.
A few years ago, there were some family issues that came up in my life, which resulted in broken relationships and heartbreak. While I was going through that season, Roo knew I was upset. She understood what I was feeling and it was the little things that she did that made me feel better. I would be crying in bed and Roo would sit right where my feet were. She would look at me with her loving eyes, climb into my blanket and sleep right next to me to keep me warm. She would occasionally get up and climb to the edge of the bed like a lookout dog to make sure no one would come into my room. She then would come back by my side to keep me safe. It was in those moments, that Roo would help me focus on her, get out of my own head, and move forward.
Roo has always been right there with me during life’s highs and lows. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. She has now been with me for 6 years and I really hope to continue this bond I have with her. My life is so much better with her in it.
Why was getting a dog the best decision you’ve made? Share in the comments below!
One comment
Amen! Getting a dog is definitely an adjustment, but the love they fill our lives with is worth EVERYTHING!!