"Tasha and Julie" (C) Allen Pearson, 2013, All Rights Reserved |
It was a Sunday. I was expecting to simply meet this girl and on the drive home, think about whether or not to do this. In the end, she was in my car riding driving home with me. The premise was that it was only for a week - like a trial period - so that the foster could go to Florida to look for a house to buy. After day One, I knew she was going to stay….
"Tasha" (C) Allen Pearson, 2013, All Rights Reserved |
I was a nervous wreck all day at work. I'd heard too many stories of dogs with separation anxiety who tore the house apart trying to get out and get to their human. Thankfully, I was able to leave work a little early just to ease my mind.
When I opened the door, Tasha was there coming to me in a full-body wag and something in her mouth to greet me. I greeted her back and with great anticipation, tip-toed around the house in search of what I knew was to be some type of devastating disaster. However, there was nothing that I could see that was out of place or even moved an inch. There was no poop, no pee and nothing was chewed up. She was a perfect angel! Thinking that this was just first-day luck, I decided to go through the whole 'talk' each morning…telling her what not to do and what she should do and that I'd be home as soon as possible. I did this while rubbing her forearms up and down. It worked! She's been a perfect angel from day one all through her life with me. I couldn't have asked for more.
I also discovered early on that one of Tasha's favorite things to do is open packages. From boxes that get dropped off by the mailman or the UPS man to gift bags…..she can rip apart a sturdy cardboard box - especially if there is something of interest inside (food); yet she can be as delicate as can be when taking out one tissue at a time from a gift bag….and then, of course, shredding the bag afterwards!
She has also been my gardening partner over the years. Again, early on, I discovered that she could dig in the dirt….but that she had more of an interest in doing so if she was 'helping' me. So when I was digging a whole in which to plant a bush or tree, she would come over with great interest. Then I would point to where I needed to dig more or to loosen the soil, and she would go at it! Full-body digging action! When I said stop, she would. She could also pull out some of the most stubborn roots….when she could get a hold of one, she would tug and tug until it broke away! She was an awesome gardener!
In the eight years that we've been together, Tasha and I have enjoyed life from the daily routine of things to the adventures of road trips, to long walks and discovering new neighborhoods and trails, to visiting other people's homes (with and without other dogs), to dog parks, to shopping in the dog-friendly areas of Arlington (she loves going behind the counter and checking out the back of the house!), to staying in hotels and just plain enjoying our own yard and 2 porches. She and I are a team and neither one of us feels complete without the other.
Tasha has taught me many things - many that I will not forget. Patience is number one…..not only does she have Incredible patience with me, but I must also have incredible patience for her….like, on walks when she has to sniff one blade of grass for over a minute (60 seconds is a Long time). She has taught me that breathing and enjoying the outdoors is an incredible pleasure that any man-made experience cannot duplicate. She continuously reminds me of my feelings and compassionate side. In the hurry of daily life, I tend to forget, but Tasha always brings me back to my basics. She made me realize how much I enjoy the 4-legged friends and has got me to think about my second career of caring for K-9s. I credit her with awakening my inner feelings and core to pursue my passion and to feel every day and feel life - for without feeling, you haven't really experienced anything. - Julie K.
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