I think Henry Wheeler Shaw said it best… “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” Growing up, we had a family Sheltie and I became a “dog person” the moment my father brought him home in a perforated box. Some children outgrow interest as their pet outgrows the undeniably precious puppy phase, but my love for Max was steadfast as he accompanied me through high school and college until passing away at an old age. I’ve heard my father cry maybe a handful of times, and when he called to tell me the news, this was one. With my childhood dog romping through endless rows of fire hydrants in doggy heaven, my heart had room for another companion. Through friends, I heard of an adult mixed-breed receiving minimal attention from his current owners. When I met with them, the dogs’ somewhat malnourished frame and loving eyes immediately melted me and I took him home.
And Indo is his name-o. I’ve got to say, as the best friend to a twenty-five-year-old single female (me), Indo wears more hats than your average BFF (and sometimes holiday-themed bandanas and costumes, too.) I’ve never truly understood an unconditional love, as I have no children, but adopting an abused, adult dog taught me many things, with love being the greatest. I don’t doubt the novelty in picking out a purebred puppy, meeting the mother and knowing your new dog’s birthday. But, there’s just something about saving a life and watching that life flourish as you reestablish trust, confidence and quality of life. There is just something about the way Indo so humbly accepts his spoiled rotten lifestyle that lets me know he appreciates it, too. Don’t get me wrong, our life together isn’t just dog bones and long walks, we’ve faced some hurdles in our time. Indo’s neglected past influenced some pretty severe and random traits that took years of dedicated training to truly overcome. He was a loving, calm and obedient dog indoors. But, take him outdoors or somewhere new and you’ve got an extremely un-socialized, scared and seemingly aggressive dog lunging at bikers and shaking excessively throughout any car ride.
So, today as he walks calmly by my side and literally jumps for joy when I ask if he’d like to go in the car, I find pride in reminiscing the almost uncontrollable sixty-pound dog that once drug me down the street and made me cry. His human-like demeanor and dynamite personality brighten all of my days and encourage me to be outdoor and active, all while coexisting with me in the sweetest ways. Whether I’m laughing at farts, being greeted by the worlds fastest, wagging tail, or being sat on the moment I sit on the couch; the respect, love and appreciate he shows is so appreciative and anytime I ask him if this outfit makes me look fat, he always says no! I never felt such a connection to Shaw’s old English quote until I unknowingly took on the task of rehabilitating and learning with this dog. If I wake up with a giant pimple on my face or am leaving for a night out in the most fantastic dress, he treats me just the same. He loves every meal I cook, never acts as a back-seat driver and thinks I am the coolest person in the room. But (seriously and simply) he is my best friend; keeping me active and adding to the fun of weekend getaways, hikes and brunches.
From one dog lover to another, I encourage anyone looking for a sweet, rewarding companion to adopt a dog from a rescue or shelter. Some cases require more attention than others, but I can assure you there is a plethora of adoptable, trained pups looking for love and a second chance at life (alongside more heartbreaking cases with the sweetest demeanors.) As they say in the rescue world, “Who saved who?!”