Memories of a Loved Dog
By Vikki Smith
The shadows danced across the floor where she lay basking in the warm sun. Across the vast hall the clatter of dishes and the murmur of soft voices gently lulled her to sleep in her favorite spot near the door. How many times had she lain resting here waiting for her family to arrive from an outing, was it a hundred or two hundred times? Perhaps it had been more, but her memory was now waning in her old age.
Her whiskers twitched as she began to dream of her puppyhood…to the day she met her new special family. It had started out as every other day, but then there they were, looking down at her. They seemed so strange with their excited voices and eager hands. She had been frightened, but there was something comforting in their voices that made her nose twitch in a good way. She had a new mommy and daddy and children to love. Of course over the years, their voices would sooth her worries, excite her in play, and lovingly tell her how special she was. Her mommy would kiss her soft ears and whisper, “Mommy loves her little baby,” while daddy would massage her with his giant hands telling her, “What a good girl she was.” If only she could tell them how much she loved them. But all she could do was wag her tail and give a quick lick of loving approval. She loved them dearly, and in her sleep she could see herself snuggling up to one of them, feeling their love engulf her as she lay resting her head in one of their laps.
As she lay warming her aged body in the sun, she could hear the sound of far off waves and boats going by. It had been like this for years as she travelled the world with her special family. She could remember the smell of each place they had lived as if it were yesterday. The smell of Sea salt near the oceans, car exhaust in the cities, and flowers that mom had planted around the houses. But it was the smells of her family that she most loved. Mom always smelled sweet like the flowers she planted. The smell wasn’t strong enough to tickle her nose, like the honeysuckle growing on the fence, but it was fragrant enough to know that her darling mommy was near. Daddy was different depending on the day. On days where he wore his uniform he smelled like the can of white foam he used on his face. But she liked him best on the days he worked in the yard or played with the kids. It was a manly smell. He would be wet and taste like salt. The children were always different. In her sleep she could still see the children at every age of their lives. As they grew into little people, they took on the smells of food they had eaten or yards where they had played. She could recall the feelings of jealousy when they would arrive home from an outing and smell like another dog or a stinky cat. She would sulk away and pout until they found her and loved her back into their lives. She loved the smells of their teenage years as they readied themselves for dates, or smelled of sweaty sporting events or concerts. She would often lay on forgotten outfits strewn on the floor, or carry a sock to her bed to hold her over till someone paid attention to her. She was silly, but she loved them so much that she couldn’t imagine being with any other family in the world.
A sound resonated across the floor, stirring her for a moment as she sniffed the air for danger. Mom hollered out that she was okay. She contemplated getting up, but this would require energy and she really was quite content dreaming of her family, so she resettled herself and drifted quickly off to sleep. Coming through the haze of her memory she watched as her little children grew up. Her heart beat loud as she thought of them. She had always treated them as if she had given them birth, watching over them when mommy and daddy were busy or away. But they were toddlers when she had come to live with them, and they had grown up together. She was their best friend and they were hers. She would be the rough and tough boy toy or the sweet confidant for an ever-changing girl of emotions. She could sense when they were sick, happy, or sad. It didn’t matter which it was…she loved them just the same. Her heart beat slower as she saw them as adults, for just like when they entered the family, one behind the other, they left the house the same way, only to visit on occasion. She couldn’t wait for their return on holidays and summers. She was most happy during these times because her whole family was together again. It didn’t matter if there was a squabble or laughter, it was like old times…times she had held in her heart and locked in her memory.
Now it is just mommy and daddy, and there are people who come and go in the house. She follows mommy from room to room like a shadow afraid to lose its host. She doesn’t hear or see like she once did, and she fears that her heart will only carry her in this life for so long. She knows that mommy and daddy are worried about her. They gently stroke her coat and nuzzled her when she is near. But while she is here she will do her job to love and protect her special family. And even though she will no longer run to the door on their arrival, she will get there any way she can, because that’s what a loved dog is supposed to do…that’s what she is supposed to do. And when that day comes when she must leave them, they will know that she lived a life full of joy and love. She will have been loved like no other could be loved…because they loved her with all of their hearts. And when this dream is over, she will look forward to napping again, for she will dream of memories of a loved dog…
This hits me every time I read it… The way you present this story is incredible. It reminds me of my dog and the memories and feelings we shared. I think anyone who has had a dog can appreciate this fantastic story.
I only wish my baby was still around for me to enjoy. Thanks for the comment!