When I was in middle school, the family dog probably saved our lives. We lived in a very rural area on about 1.25 acres in the middle of a “National Forest”. My sisters and I were home alone in the middle of the day during the summer when there was a knock on the door in our walkout basement. My oldest sister opened the door for a man who I would have described as elderly at the time. He said, “I found some puppies; I was wondering if they were yours?” We did not even have the chance to reply as our normally mellow and chill black lab came running through the basement, jumped up onto the door, and slammed it in the man’s face. My sisters and I laughed out of shock and felt bad for the man as he just walked back to his vehicle. It wasn’t until our parents got home and we relayed the story to them that we realized how dangerous a situation we could have found ourselves in.
We had Max for 12 years until he passed away at our home. He was a dog full of soul and love. He was a protector, roaming the house at night and checking on all the family members in turn. He was also a sneaky little bastard that loved human food. Once he stole a stack of cookies off of my sister’s knee while she was watching TV.
When my husband and I got our first dog, he was only eight weeks old. I saw him online and wanted him immediately. When my husband went to pick him up, this dog would not leave my husband alone. Thor knew he was ours. He knew we would be his home. For the eight years he was in our lives, this dog brought us so much laughter and love and comfort.
While watching a documentary about lions in Africa, there was a baby lion that was sick or injured. He was dying, but no one could do anything to help him. Me being me, I started to silently cry for this lion. As tears streamed down my face, Thor lifted his head from his normal spot in my lap and looked me in the eyes. He kissed my face and then rested his head against my chest. He was always there before I knew I needed him. He was amazing.
Of course, Thor had his “little bastard” moments as well. Like when he would wake me up early in the morning and make me get out of bed with his incessant nudging, licking my eye, and baiting. Sometimes he needed to go outside or wanted breakfast, but one particular day he led me straight to the kitchen, looked at the freezer, and waited for me to get him an ice cube.
I miss so many things about Thor. I miss how he used to wag his tail as soon as he realized one of us was awake. I miss how he used to demand kisses and showers and cookies. I miss how he always needed to be the little spoon, and always under a blanket. I miss how he used to growl with excitement with a toy in his mouth when we would come home. I miss how he used to look for lizards in any pile of rocks he came across. I miss everything about him. To know Thor truly was to love him.
I miss you sweet dog. Thank you for blessing me with your life.
Lunar Lilies 