“They are your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are their life, their love, their leader. They will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of their heart. You owe it to them to be worthy of such devotion.”
— Anonymous
This quote resonates with me in every possible way. Growing up, dogs were always at my feet, and I’ve always felt a deep attachment to these amazing creatures.
Many days of my childhood were spent exploring the mountain behind our house with my family’s Newfoundland, Tyler. We would climb rock walls, splash through streams, and stop to take in the view while I shared my snacks with him. At the time, I only knew him as my very large, fluffy partner in crime. Looking back now, I realize he gave me the freedom to explore nature independently while giving my parents peace of mind. He was a built-in babysitter, keeping me safe, protected, and always getting me home before dinner. I’m a Gen Xer — can you tell?
