You know what I mean.
I know you know what I mean because so many of you have written kind comments on this blog or Facebook, sent me messages and wonderful sympathy e-cards, and even published a tribute to my girl. And, as I was trying to write a thank you note to the later, it felt to me like we are members of a very special group: those who have found - and, for some of us, lost - our heart dogs.
Like you, my dogs are not "just dogs." Far from it. They are beloved family members.
In my case, I've had a dog since I was in the womb. I've never been dogless. (And I don't ever want to be.) Each of my dogs is collection of stories to tell about their own unique spirits and our slice of life adventures together. There will be quite a crowd when I cross that Rainbow Bridge and my heart swells with love when I think about seeing them again.
If the dogs in my life are apples, my heart dog is an orange. All are fruit, but they are not the same. If you don't understand that, you've not had that special connection yet. You'll know it when you have that once in a lifetime dog, that furry canine soul mate.
In my case I knew it from the very beginning. It's hard to put into words, but I felt a deep connection with Lucy immediately. That connection only grew into something more wonderful each and every day.
That's Lucy in my business logo and she is the dog in For Love of a Dog. The heart in her mouth? She gave me her heart. And I gave my heart to her.
