Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.

“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.” - Dean Koontz

“Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog. It merely expands the heart.” - Unknown

I have a large number of friends who enjoy a beautiful and loving relationship with their dogs. For many, the companionship they enjoy appears to provide a richness to their lives that would be absent if not for their dog’s presence. I have also seen the impact that occurs when age and illness result in the departure of their best friend.

While I never experienced having a dog, I am moved emotionally by the loss that a dog or any pet has on a family; they are members of the family and the loss of the comfort and love they provide, is profound, and long lasting. Many of my friends who have lost their dog have attempted to fill that void by obtaining a new dog, and while I am sure it is never the same, their love for their new “friend” seems to provide a soothing comfort, and as the author states, “expands the heart.”

Many will ask why, if I have seen the virtues of having a dog, I have never had one in my growing up or in my adult life. My sons, especially my middle son always asked for a dog as he was growing up. We had to tell him that mommy and his older brother had very bad allergies, especially to animals. One time, when he was insistent about our getting a dog, I asked him what he would rather have, mommy or a dog. He actually waited a few minutes as if he had to decide before he said “mommy.” When I am with friends and relatives who have dogs, it is easy to see the love that exists between them, and I have grown to appreciate the beauty of their relationship. When I campaigned for office, a friend lent me her dog, took pictures of us together as I campaigned, and put them out on social media. She kids me that I won the election because people saw me in a more favorable light because of her dog.

I sometimes wish that I could experience the beautiful relationship that exists between an owner and their dog, but like my son, I choose “mommy,” For all my friends who enjoy such a relationship with their dog, I wish you a long and enduring time together, and hope that when you must say goodbye, you have beautiful memories of your time together.