The Love of a Dog

In our house we are human childless; no kids in our mix. When Mom was younger she thought about adoption and went through the process. After several thousands of bone money; and a scam or two, she opted to love what loved her the most, animals. Oh sure at times she pinged and panged, but never has she felt her life incomplete. As a matter of fact, she feels quite complete with the love of me Gunner.

That is not to say she does not get funny stares when she would pull out her photo books (back in the day they printed pikkies WTH?) and brag about this one or that one winning their title. At first glance her friends would think she was talking about a 2 legged child. While having babies is all exciting, nothing is more rewarding to my Mom than a wet nose curling up saying "scratch me please".

Over the past several years, the show ring was the place to be. All the pomp and circumstance. She did it, the past kids brought home the titles, however, she still let them be dogs - dare I say that. They went to Pet Stores, they rode in cars, they slept in human beds, they played tug and most of all had a real life. Unfortunately some show people thought she was cray cray, (that is for another discussion). When it came to breeding, she was a bit on the neurotic side. Testing prior to breeding, meeting the female, learning more about their line and so on. She was a stand-alone in her methods. Never breeding for money or pleasure, it had to be the right way, the right match and skip the b.s.

When I came along, it was at a time when she and I were ready, not exactly in a perfect place, but in a time we knew we were bonded for life. What is most interesting is my Mom's top three dogs, one horse, one cow and one pig have all shared the same birthday; yep you guessed it January 21st. Mom's paint mare double Reg. St. Leo's Flower; Hereford Cow- Sow; Miss Percy You look Fine, Pig -Landrace X Rosie - Roses are For Wimps;  Mastiff - Ch. Gen'l Dixie Rebel; Shih Tzu Ch. CrossCreek Dad's Lil Scooter and me... Ch. Lyerly's This Guns For Hire. We don't know if the stars align or what the significance is, but we know the love and torment the four leggers have given Mom has been amazing.

Some of our friends on Twitter share similar lives. They are human childless too. I guarantee to you they feel the same love my Mom feels. Today one posted a picture that sums it up quite nicely, "This Girl Loves Her Bulldog"... My Mom loves each and every dog, however, it doesn't stop there. She has also loved all our friends.

So when you wonder about the love of a dog, or the love of an animal, you need to think about all the love YOU receive, because my Mom says it's the love from an animal that means the most.

Happy Tuesday my friends.

Gunner xoxo