Life is Just Better With Dogs

(Photo by Mary Ann Chance)

(Portrait by Richard Larson, Tifton, GA)

When Darren sent the news, our family of four sat in stunned silence.

"Darren got a dog," my son reported. We let the words seep in, incredulous that finally, the Chances had claimed a puppy. We have known them for 10 years, and nearly all that time, they considered the possibility.

While we accumulated five dogs and two cats, they resisted the temptation. We assumed they opted out.

Last Sunday, Darren sent a text message announcing the arrival of a six-week-old Labrador Retriever-mix. Sam got to the Chance's house first. He called, breathless, confirming in their garage was a fat, black and beautiful baby dog. The remainder of us set out on foot and arrived like Magi, eager to see the spectacle of wonder. She lay sleeping on the cool concrete, an irresistible package of canine contentment.

Mary Ann explained how the neighbors had dispensed seven of nine puppies with new families. Somehow, she bought the pitch, too. I think it might have had to do with the furry one's completely captivating charm. Darrell, her husband, met the scenario with what you might call subdued enthusiasm.

"I picked her out," Amy said. "We named her Haley."

"Haley, as in the comet?" asked her dad. "Like you could see this coming from a long way off?" His expression read something like, "Lord, why me?"

Obviously, Darrell is wild about the dog - in his own way. I shared the story of how I called my husband at work one afternoon to confess a surprise adoption of a poodle puppy.

"You won't believe what I just did," I cooed, nervously.

"Did you get a dog?" he asked, clearly clairvoyant.

"Oh, but just wait until you see her," I gushed. "She's a little black poodle, all fluffy and cute as a ..."

It was the first and last time my husband ever hung up on me.

The best part of the story is that the dog, Dootsie, won his heart. Their favorite place in the world was watching NASCAR from a recliner together. I'll spare the details of when she died, except to say that dogs teach us large lessons in love and loss.

In case the Chances need reassurance, our dog Winnie was a lab mix, too. She was our hero. She was also my first "baby," the puppy we bought for $5 in Ocean Springs when Steven and I were newlyweds. When our children were born, when they went off to school, when we celebrated births and mourned deaths and endured the hardships and treasured the pleasures of living, Winnie was there. She loved us like no one has.

Because of Winnie, evening walks proved to be grand adventures and sharing a meal meant cooking spaghetti more often, because that was her favorite. Because of Winnie, my children learned early and well about unconditional love and the invaluable gift of devoted companionship. They felt secure in her presence, a fringe benefit of deep trust and the bond of family. When she was nearly 11 and cancer claimed her, Winnie taught us how to say goodbye with grace and gratitude.

Though the first weeks with puppy can be challenging, the rewards outweigh the inconveniences. In Haley, the Chances will find what we and other dog lovers discover.

Life is just better with dogs, especially the kind like Haley. To see her embraced by children who waited so long to love her brings tears to my eyes. From her chubby face and floppy ears to her sighs of satisfaction, Haley is already at work, casting her spell, winning favor, winking at Darrell.
I can tell already, he's her favorite.

Send an email to kristentwedt-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and receive a weekly reminder to visit this blog. Columns appear every Friday in The Hattiesburg American. Write to her at krinzgal@yahoo.com.