Hannah is a 12-year-old Ridgeback-mix, about 70 pounds of lean muscle and bone. Sheยs a constant companion to my brother, who adopted her from a shelter when she was about six months old (and who is coping with a dire prognosis right now), and to my brotherยs daughter, who is almost five years old, and to my brotherยs father-in-law, who has Alzheimers. Thatยs a lot of canine support and therapy to provide, but Hannah pulls it off with grace and patience. Sheยs more or less constantly pushing her big beautiful head into somebodyยs hands, or leaning her gradually weakening, aging body into somebodyยs legs. ยIยm right here, pet me and we will both feel better,ย her huge, shining eyes seem to say.
Sadie is supposed to be a miniature Schnauzer, and she looks sort of like a Schnauzer, but she came from what was probably a puppy mill in Kentucky when she was just a tiny puppy, so thereยs no telling what she actually is, besides 7 pounds of nerves and sweetness. Sheยs my daughter-in-lawยs dog, and has been by her side through a number of lifeยs turns, both difficult andrewarding. She has a shrill, ear-piercing bark that she uses a tad too frequently, and she hasnยt been trained to do anything in particular, but she, too, soaks up human attention like a sponge and rains affection back upon anyone who treats her well.
Otto is my own mixed-breed dog, nearly seven years old and wise. He always knows when Iยm feeling down, and positions himself nearby. Heยs too polite to whine or paw at me, but will put his chin on my leg as I sit at the computer, and gaze at me patiently. He stands at the gate every time I go to the car without him, clearly analyzing what Iยm wearing and what Iยm carrying in order to understand where Iยm going and when Iยm likely to be back. He knows the blue daypack means an overnight absence, and he looks especially bereft when he sees it. On the other hand, he can pick out the sounds of my car from blocks away, and heยs always dancing, wagging, whining, happy at the gate as I pull up to the house.
I donยt have a point today. Iยm just so damn grateful sometimes for these dogs and the love they add to my extended family.
