I honestly didn't know how much my life would change when I got my dog Darcy because it's still changing every day.
It's said that dogs love unconditionally. They do, especially my Darcy. Even when I'm mad and frustrated with her she still loves me. I'm trying to learn every day how to keep my cool and not get frustrated when she barks at every noise outside and still jumps on me from time to time. I know that I need to be her teacher and when I do teach she soaks it up like a sponge (tonight we were doing a training bit where I have her jump on and off the bed and when she's on the bed I had her go into a 'down', except that after about the third jump she just went into the 'down' without my telling her. I called her a little stinker and gave her an extra treat and hug).
And yes, she's always happy to see me when I get home and also if I just need a cuddle or a hug she's always there. And when I wake up in the middle of the night after having a bad dream, which does happen at least once a week or so, she'll come up on the bed and cuddle with me. That has meant a lot for me because it's a terrible feeling to wake up in the dead of the night all alone (which I did for too many years). And it is one of the main reasons I won't give up on Darcy and continue to work through her behavior issues.
She's not a 'bad' dog and I'm not that 'bad' of a human. Yes, I've made a truck-load of mistakes with her but many other dog owners are far from perfect. Sadly, a lot of them give up on their dogs and all I'm asking for is an opportunity to learn. Because another reason I love Darcy is that she's forced me out of my shell and continues to do every day. Because I've stood by my dog I'm learning to become more assertive and to fight for what I believe in. In January I could have just given up Darcy and crawled back into my shell. Instead with the help of my incredibly wonderful roommate I held onto my Darcy. Because if I had gotten rid of Darcy I would have been haunted and guilt-ridden for the rest of my life. It's still something I fear greatly but I cling to my determination to stay the course and be the human-mom I need to be for her.
No comments:
Post a Comment