When Pinky saved my soul
I’ve wanted a dog for years — Pete took a little convincing — but the time was never quite right. So when better than that devastating period when stress levels are through the roof and it feels as if the world is reversing polarity every two days?
I guess the first step was deciding on the breed. We have two cats (Jeoffry and KitMarlowe) so a doglet who would be a kind soul was an absolute must. Something that would hang out with me in the garden and equally snuggle down when there are indoor things to do. A dog that was happy to wander through field, wood and dune-scape. A friend. A best friend.
Pete agreed that yes, we could get a dog, so long as it was a small one…
Pinky is a Golden Retriever — all 26kg of her and her waggy tail — and she has made me grow as a human and allowed me to see the world in a greater glory through her sheer wonder of life. She has no qualms about who is allowed to pet her. She doesn’t care if you’re a king or a pauper, an athlete or bedridden. If you want to give her a moment of your time she will give you a moment of hers, and you will both enjoy it thoroughly! I’ve seen her bring tears of joyful memories to old hearts and squeals of laughter to young ones — and if someone is in a wheelchair BINGO, there might be crumbs on the footplate!! With Pinky there is always a silver lining and since we picked up that 8 week old ball of nonsense in February 2018 I’ve found many silver linings that would previously have passed me by.
And the more I think about Pinky’s nature and the good it has done me, indeed that of many, many dogs that simply wander round the planet in an aura of joy, the more I think these gifts should be promoted widely. I’ve read about Pets As Therapy dogs and work with Uni students walking dogs to help with homesickness and loneliness but I think it all needs a bigger label to get behind so how about…
GUIDE DOGS FOR THE MIND!
A quick google search shows this as an idea back in 2012 for Alzheimers patients to help them with reminders for taking medicines or eating dinner but how about people who just need a bit of TLC and calming doggy-sighs?
I’m going to write more about what I can find out about how dogs can help our minds in future and if you have any tips please let me know! For the moment I hope you enjoy the pics of our bundle.
Post from 11th October 2019