Every Dog is My Favorite Dog

After I’d been sitting for about a year, it occurred to me that every dog I sat for became my favorite for that time. I really feel in love with each and every one. Of course, there were variations and minor irritations, but the “soul” or “essence” of the dog was always lovable and I always fell in love with him or her.

I began thinking on this one morning while I was watching India.

India was not only special in her own way, but she was physically special as well. At an early age, she’d been hit by a car, taken into the vet and left there by a Good Samaritan. Unfortunately, the good Samaritan had no money to treat India and left without leaving any contact information. Alone and badly injured, India looked to be a goner. The vet’s office, however; had a list of concerned clients who had generously given money for the care of abandoned and injured animals in the past. Shelley, the front desk assistant, went to work quickly calling each person on that list, while the vet did her best to keep India comfortable.

Their efforts were not in vain. Michael stepped forward to foot the bill for India’s treatment. At the time, he had four lovely cats as company and had no intention of getting a dog, but something about this situation touched his heart and he opened it and his pocketbook up to India.

The result was a complete amputation of the right hind leg ending at the hip. Several weeks of recovery and much trauma and pain treatment ensued. All through this time, Michael would visit and watch the progress of this remarkable animal. His heart remained open and eventually, he adopted India as his own.

His decision to adopt India was a difficult one. Because of the trauma, the long confinement and her tender age, India was a fearful and anxious animal . Michael had taken on more than just a new dog; he had the responsibility of rehabilitating India from a traumatized, needy, fearful dog into a lively and loving companion.

The result was, her natural athleticism took hold and India thrived under Michael’s care. She fit into her new home well. She and the cats struck up a cordial friendship, each keeping their boundaries and sharing Michael’s attention without major incident.

Her spirit however, lagged behind her body in healing.

When I met India, she was a glory to watch run. Her ability to get around, to chase lizards, meet other dogs, get in and out of my car was not hampered in the least by her back leg missing. Of course, there were a few accommodations that had to be made, but they were slight and for the most part, it was as though she was as physically able as any other 4 year old Doberman.

Michael had told me. “She is not to be pitied. She is whole and perfect as she is”. He said that she was a perfect mirror for him.

I understood and I too saw her as a mirror for my own lame foot, for my clumsy underdeveloped ways of moving and my victim attitude about it all. But India didn’t reflect any of those frailities. So, I was watching myself and mostly, I was watching myself as I wanted myself to be. Whole, complete and perfect just the way I was. Doing for myself what I needed with what I had. Not suffering, not asking for special help.

Of course, there was the spirit to consider. India was needy. I am needy. We seemed to compliment one another. She was needy for attention, for constant reassurance. I was still developing my ability to give.

I worked for many years to adjust my needy behaviors My needs for attention have turned into careers, relationships, wonderful internal explorations and horrible aborations when I indulged in it. Ultimately, my route has taken a lifetime and has been filled with more detours and dead ends than India’s route. Her route as far as I could see was well defined with Michael’s attention to her, his good care and how he provided a loving home for her. Even the Dog Day Care Facility he took her to if he had to be gone for any length of time, showed his compassion and his sense of responsibility.

I suppose, I was jealous until I realized I’d gotten re-parented in various ways myself over the years. Some was of my own doing, some came from others in a variety of doses. Silently, I contemplated those who had helped me along the way with gratitude and wonder at the working of our fates.

I was reminded at every turn of the perceived mistakes, the seemingly false behaviors that also guided me to where I am today. It seems harder to grasp the rightness of those events, yet I knew from deep inner work that I had accepted each and everyone as a gift and a guide in bringing me closer and closer to my authentic self.

With true victim mentality, I fall back into despair occasionally. I think I will never reach my goals.. And yet, there is the inner knowing that remembers the process, the path and the wonder of life as it presents itself in all its diverse ways.

India is one of those ways. If she despairs, it doesn’t show. If she gives up, I can’t detect it. I see her ask for comfort. I see her rest when she needs to rest. She is a perfect mirror for myself. Thank you ,Michael, for that perspective. And thank you myself, for manifesting this wonderful house sitting assignment.

Truly, this dog is my favorite dog.