A new friend
I recently started a job three days a week where I am tasked with exercising an 18-month-old black lab named Delia. She is a well-behaved older puppy, and has been trained well. She and Annie are both a little anxious by nature, which makes them perfect running/walking/hiking mates. Neither one is too aggressive and both seem to be a little submissive to each other. It has been a dream job, which surprises me even as I write it. One day in particular, we were out on the lovely river trail, sun was shining in January, both dogs were on a coupling leash and behaving quite well. I looked at those similarly sized dogs, one with stunning black fur and the other with soft light brown curls, walking side-by-side, and felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and peace. I don't think I was quite ready for this change in my thinking about animals until I was actually ready for it. It took me by complete surprise and continues to do so. But it has changed me in deep, unexplainable ways. M...