Since I’ve invented The ScooPup Pocket, the world’s best poop scoop, I’ve become aware of lot of great people and dedicated animal advocates doing great stuff out there, including Melissa Peterson and her dog Shady. Melissa and Shady have been a voice for shelter dogs through Shady’s blog Dog Earred Tales and Melissa’s website This Good That Bad. Recently, Melissa asked me to be a judge for a contest on her site that asked pet owners to write a few words on the topic: “How do your pets keep you sane?”. This past week, Riley reaffirmed just how much he does exactly that.
If you’ve been following my blog, you may be wondering why it’s been over a week since my last post. It’s not that I’ve been working hard, trying to convince everyone that I have invented the world’s best poop scoop and never got around to writing. In fact, I’ve hardly had time to think about the world’s best poop scoop or dog poop at all these past few days, except, of course, on our daily walks.
We live in Seattle, Washington and last week, my significant other, who happened to be working across the country in Alabama, wound up in the hospital in Mobile. Now it’s never easy to have someone you love in the hospital, but the helplessness I felt being so far away made the whole thing so much worse.
But I wasn’t alone. Through it all, I had Riley. He kept me sane by the very necessity of having to look after him every day. Even when life is put on hold by events that we never see coming, our dogs still need to be fed and walked. And when I was in a fetal position on the couch, trying to watch a little television to keep from worrying about things that were happening miles away from home, Riley would climb up on the couch with me, just when I was at my lowest point.
How is it possible that when we are under stress, worried and distraught, our animals always seem to know and are there to give you a little extra love and support and do something to make you smile, even when you think the last thing you are able to do is laugh?
Riley was there for me. He warmed the bed before I crawled in and his snoring and “dream running” through the night gave me comfort and and a sense of normalcy through a week that felt anything but ordinary.
Today things are finally staring to feel a little more normal around here. I brought my significant other home from the airport a couple of hours ago. He’s feeling better and is napping on the couch now with Riley curled up at his feel. Last time I checked, they were both snoring.
Glad to hear things are looking up and glad you had your furry helper! We are very good at cuddling with our mom and dad when they are stressed too!
Wags!
Mr. Nubbin’
No better sound than all that snoring–they both deserve the rest. Have a good weekend!
Shady