Mum, Dad, my brother Michael: everyone in the family got more affection from our ridgeback-staffie cross. And guess whose bed she used to poo on…
I think the tone was set when Ella threw up over me on the way back from the Dogs Trust. She was three months old, rolling around on the back seat between me and my twin brother, Michael (we’d just turned seven), and wasn’t enjoying her first trip in a car. She could have been sick anywhere – over the seat, over the floor – but for some reason she decided to climb on to me first.
It was the start of a beautiful but strangely one-sided friendship. Ella, a ridgeback-staffie cross, was the perfect dog: playful, energetic, naughty and tolerant. She would let us poke and prod her without complaint, turn her ears inside-out or dress her up in T-shirts or the thick woollen poncho my Greek Cypriot grandma knitted her for the British winter. And she was endlessly loving, at least to the other members of the family. Me? Too often it was as if I didn’t exist. If Michael and I were sitting on the sofa, she’d bound up to him. If I came home after a day out with my dad, he was the one she’d jump at. If I tried to take her for a walk by myself, she’d drag her feet and insist that I fetch my brother.
To add insult to injury, about once a year she would do a poo in the house. Not just anywhere, though: she’d climb the stairs to my room and leave it in a neat pile on top of my bed.
I can’t pretend I wasn’t offended by Ella’s attitude – I loved her just as much as anyone. But it took me a while to realise that in her eyes we were both bitches fighting for our place in the pack. I read that dogs are 98.8% wolf, even yappy little chihuahuas. Ella was a definite she-wolf and my mother (she who opened the tin of dog food every night) was the undisputed alpha female. Ella could handle that fact, but she didn’t want to be the omega female. That was me.
Working out the reasons for Ella’s lack of sisterhood, understanding that her indifference was atavistic and not just casual, didn’t make me any less jealous of my brother, who always took great pleasure in the fact that Ella seemed to prefer him. But I resigned myself to the situation. And then one day (happy ending, anyone?) everything changed. I must have been 16 or 17, we’d been away for a fortnight in France, and when we got back it was me she ran up to first, whining and twisting with pleasure at seeing me again. After that it was like all those years of competition had never happened. We were best friends for ever, or at least for the couple of years she had left. Ella finally loved me.
On my momentous 15th birthday, I’m eager for an outpouring of heartfelt birthday wishes
Celebrating milestones isn’t unique to people; our furry companions maintain a particular place in these celebrations too. As your loyal companion hits the exceptional milestone of 15 years, it’s a momentous event that’s worthy of recognition and celebration.
For a lot of dog house owners, the bond with their pet transcends the boundaries of mere possession. It’s a journey marked by love, loyalty, and shared experiences. Watching your canine pal develop from a playful pup right into a sensible and cherished companion is nothing in need of a exceptional journey.
The years have woven a tapestry of reminiscences – from the mischievous pet antics to the comforting presence throughout each joyous and difficult instances. Every wag of the tail, each excited bark, and the mild nuzzle in opposition to your hand tells a narrative of unwavering companionship.
At 15, your dog may be slowing down a bit, however the sparkle of their eyes and the heat of their coronary heart stay unchanged. Their presence is a testomony to the enjoyment they carry, the teachings they educate about resilience, love, and the straightforward pleasures of life.
Celebrating this milestone isn’t simply in regards to the variety of years; it’s a mirrored image of the shared experiences, the teachings realized, and the unstated bond that phrases can not totally encapsulate. It’s in regards to the numerous walks, the video games of fetch, the quiet moments of solace, and the unconditional love that has crammed your own home.
As your dog turns 15, it’s a possibility to cherish every second collectively. It’s a time to reminisce in regards to the laughter, the cuddles, and the adventures embarked upon aspect by aspect. It’s about acknowledging the significance of their presence in shaping your life.
So, whether or not it’s a particular deal with, an extra-long stroll, or just spending high quality time collectively, celebrating your dog’s fifteenth birthday is a tribute to the enjoyment they’ve introduced into your life. It’s a celebration of their timeless spirit, their unwavering companionship, and the profound influence they’ve had in your coronary heart. Cheers to your furry pal and to the numerous reminiscences but to be made within the years forward!
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