Dogs Are People Too

Everyday when I come home, she's always there, wagging her tail, bringing her toy, jumping with joy. It doesn't matter if I had a lousy day or I'm a slob and stinky, she still thinks I'm the best thing since T-Bonz. We walk along unbeaten paths and discover bunnies and kitties, we get excited when we see other puppies being walked, she poops and I pick it up. I feed her and she's happy, we run around the yard catching frisbees and balls and sticks and whatever else we can find. She sometimes sleeps on the bed with me, and when she does, she usually stretches out and takes 3/4 of the space - but I don't mind at all.

I got her a New England Patriot scarf one Super Bowl ago and she wore it grudgingly, but wore it nevertheless as we walked around Eagles Country. She doesn't harbor hurt and anger and always, always comes running up to me even after I have given her a much disdained bath.

Yes, I am talking about my little black baby, my mutt of a dog. Actually, she's my GF's, but I'm keeping her until after school. You can say we share custody of the dog.

But today, I came home and her tail wasn't wagging. She most likely broke it, and I am as worried as any parent can be. We still played and walked and barked at other passing doggies - but her tail wasn't wagging - and it really felt totally absolutely... not right.

When I was a kid, I had a dog named Bobo - he lived long after I had moved away. But when we were both young, Bobo and I spent a lot of time together. He used to keep me company when I hid in the closet to cry about something totally stupid, like losing a fight. I was home at my parents' the Christmas after Bobo died. We got home from midnight mass and I was sitting by myself in the living room looking at the Christmas tree, and I swear I heard a soft bark, almost a whimper, from somewhere very near. In my mind, I had absolutely no doubt it was my old buddy Bobo wishing me a Merry Christmas.

So I cannot believe that dogs or cats or any other pets - anything we have loved - just cease to exist when they die. It just cannot be - not after we have loved them and taken care of them and took them into our lives. There just have to be dogs and cats and hamsters in Heaven. Or even snakes - the loving kind, of course.

So back to the broken tail - it might just be a tail, but I'd do anything - anything at all - to make her feel alright.


Delia Gallagher