The Power of Dogs in Your New Life

For those of you who have dogs, I guess I am preaching to the choir, but for those who don't, I want to encourage you to consider them in your life. My husband David passed 10 weeks ago and I feel maybe 5% alive, at best. My pain is only growing worse as my mind begins to let in the reality of what has happened. I know one thing, though. If it were not for my male 7lb Maltese named SweetPea, I doubt I would be here at all. My husband and I got SweetPea 8 years ago, and he was always my husband's dog. This little guy tolerated me and certainly gave me affection, but he was his Daddy's baby. They were inseparable. They slept together, ate together, and David, a burly Marine, bathed and groomed him delicately each week, brushing to perfection SweetPea's flowing hair. My husband was under Hospice care at home for his Alzheimer's the last 3 months of his life. I watched this dog tenderly lick his head for hours as he was lying on the sofa. I saw the confusion in SweetPea's eyes when my husband did not respond to him. SweetPea was never more than a few inches from my husband for the last 6 years we endured this horrific disease. He came to understand that the role of Alpha male was being transferred to him, and this brave little guy assumed the role valiantly. He became more vigilant and protective of David. He stood between him and the big retired military male Hospice nurse who came to the house each week. He puffed up his tiny chest, stood resolute against him, until I had to remove him and put him in his kennel. The night the ambulance took David away was a turning point for SweetPea. The house full of emergency crew running about was a shock to him. He sat in silence as they put David on the gurney and took him away. When David passed a few days later, SweetPea and I were frozen together in pure suffering. We lay on the sofa, him glued to my tummy, both of us in a state of shock, me crying nonstop. SweetPea tried to sleep here and there, but when he did, he actually cried in his sleep. I had never heard sounds like this before coming out of this little dog. It forced me to hold him tight while we cried together. If it were not for him, I would have no reason to face each day. I have to feed him, bathe him, take him outside. I was forced to leave the house on day 6 after David's passing because SweetPea was hardly eating, didn't want to move. I took him to the vet, where we all cried at David's passing. The vet told me that SweetPea was grieving hard, and to allow it to happen. Since then SweetPea has improved greatly and has shown me that moments of pure joyous jumping and barking are still possible for him. He has assumed the job of my tiny proud protector. If you have never experienced the love of a dog, I believe you are missing out on one of God's most important gifts to man. They come to earth with all the traits Christ instructs us to learn- unconditional love, loyalty, forgiveness. For me, when I look into a dog's eyes, I see God. I see how Love is infinite and I see how pure it can be. Blessings to you all.

 

Thank you for sharing this beautiful Love story. An uplifting tribute to the love David received from both of you each day, as well as the love he gave that inspired you both to be forever devoted. He is still close and connected. Your journey is opening many hearts.
Sending love and blessings to you and SweetPea.
~ Michael

 

Thank you, Michael. I can't remember if you had mentioned that you and Edward had a dog. I hope so. This might sound like a sales pitch (because it is..lol), but I hope you have a dog now or are considering one. I don't know if you know much about Maltese, but they are perhaps the oldest breed of dog on earth, they are at least 28 centuries old and even earlier dates are coming to light. Their image can be found on the Egyptian pyramids, and most oddly, they have been found in hieroglyphics in South America. It is said that the Phoenicians took them to Malta, where they then spread throughout Europe. Aristotle had one, Nero had his Maltese on his lap as Rome burned, all of European royalty had them as seen in classical paintings. When the Black Death plague hit Europe, Chinese sailors took Maltese back to China, where they were bred to sit in the sleeves of emperors as they held court. One fascinating trait is that Chinese royalty taught the Maltese, and bred into them, the ability to sit still and stare into their owner's eyes, for sustained lengths of time. They were supposed to watch for behavioral cues. This trait exists today, which some people find unnerving. It was the Romans who bred all color out of them because white was considered a sacred color. They do not have fur, but rather hair, so they are essentially hypoallergenic. They do not shed. They typically live into their late teens. They are surprisingly without any inherent health problems. Throughout history the breed has been most famous for their 2 predominant traits; being very affectionate and gentle. Of course all dogs are desirable, and rescue dogs are the most grateful of all, but this ancient breed has been ignored over the last 50 years and deserves to be sustained. Thank you if you have read this far..lol. I have this longing to see beautiful souls like yourself experience the healing purity of a dog's love during this time of deep suffering.

 

Hi there,
No I don't currently have a dog in my life. If you recall I got picked by a stray mama kitty to take in her family, I have four of them. If I could have a dog, a Maltese would definitely be a super choice. The brief history you gave about the Maltese breed was very interesting. They are so cute and cuddly!
I've been blessed in my life to have eight dogs, so the love, devotion, and God-given, synchronistic soul relationship is very familiar to me. I still have recurring dreams about them, seems like more than a dream sometimes. I often joke with friends or family that when I get to the 'Pearly Gates' I hope I see all of my furry family first
~ Michael

 

Oh my. . I lost my 14 year old pit/Chihuahua on Feb. 26. Around 1 am March 1 my husband had a stroke. I had been taking care of him for a few years. He didn't remember much. It's hard to watch someone that was able to do anything not know a telephone from a remote. He passed away a little after midnight March 3rd. On March the 7th I went to the animal shelter looking for another small dog. They didn't have any but I ended up finding and 9 month old staffie. She is my sanity. Sometimes I think she's too much puppy for me. But she gets me outside and she's by my side constantly inside. God bless you