A Dad And A Dog And Carling Black Label Beer
It wasn’t until we adopted Gigi (her full name was Gigi a'la Black Label), the runt of my aunt’s black poodle litter, that I began to understand the relationship between dogs and people. I learned about dogs not from my own experience with Gigi, but from her relationship with my Dad (he worked at Carling Black Label for 33ish years). My brother and I were thrilled to bring home our little bundle of black poodle fur, but it was clear right from the start that Gigi was dad’s dog. Words were hardly spoken between them, usually just a look or gesture from dad and she would react appropriately. It wasn’t me she slept with, she had her spot right under his bed. Wherever he went, she went. This is when I realized that animals have a soul.
Understanding replaced the fear in my relationship with dogs. I have been the proud fur parent for many dogs, especially when I lived in Duplin County, NC, where people would dump them off on the side of the road when they were no longer cute and cuddly. Many dogs found their way to my sanctuary and lived happy lives.
I will always have dogs. Right now, a Maltese named Sally and Malti-Tzu named Kiki, are part of my family, as well as cats (of course strays find me here in Wilmington, too) and an array of aquatic friends, that also give me joy. They all have souls and they all deserve to be treated with respect.
I leave you with these Father’s Day/Pet Month thoughts:
Don’t take an animal if you can’t commit to their care for their lifetime.
Spay and neuter your pets.
Tell your dad you love him.
This article also appears in the June 2015 issue of livinoutloudmag.com