A profound question

Walking Ry this evening, I found my thoughts drifting over our life together, and how grateful I am he came into my life. Sometimes it’s hard to remember what my life was like without him in it. But I can still remember what my life was like before him. I remember the change in brain chemistry that first night. I remember the immediate change in thought pattern. I don’t think I was fully aware at the time, or was able to process in the moment.

My thoughts drifted back to a training session with Wasatch K9 Fitness. We were practicing loose leash walking at a park, and I was struggling and Ry was struggling, but we fought through it and things improved. I remember remarking on how some thought Ry was too much for me, that I should return him. But I couldn’t. He’s my boy. I could acknowledge he was a lot of dog, but I could not, would not return him.

The trainer asked me: What his life would be like if he wasn’t my dog?

A profound quesetion.

What would my dog’s life be likfe if he wasn’t my dog?

I think about that question often, and sometimes shudder at the thought of his life if he wasn’t my dog. I can picture him being continually returned because he’s “too much dog,” has too much energy, stubborn, never going to outgrow adolscence, and a long list of things. I can picture him withdrawing, becoming more fearful, more reactive, a lost soul.

Not a day goes by where I am not grateful and thankful that he is my dog.

I no longer doubt I’m the best owner for him.

I know I am the best owner for him.

Sometimes I’m not sure who rescued whom, and often settle on the belief that we rescued each other.