Loyal Creatures

Very recently, my close friend adopted a dog that within 2 months was diagnosed with some serious medical conditions. She made the comment that when she got home that day, the dog was so happy to see her, despite probably feeling so ill. She referred to dogs as “such loyal creatures”. She was so spot on.


Growing up as an alcoholics 4th child, there was only one constant and that was change. By the time I entered high school, I had gone to 7 schools. I had numerous bedrooms, sleeping arrangements and school orientations in my short lifetime. Through all those years, we had a Miniature Schnauzer that moved right along with me. He was my “Sam”. He didn’t like men, so he bit at their ankles. He ran away every chance he could get which meant the only way I could catch him was that he stopped at EVERY tree on the street. But he was always there for me. At one point, my mom had a 2nd shift for a job and I went to AM kindergarten. Mom recalled years later that she knew she had to get a different job because she would watch me come home from school, get my own snack and go to the TV without asking her for any assistance. All of this was done while I told Sam about my day, what was on TV and anything else a 6 year old though was important to tell their friend.

Today, the first thing I say when I walk into the door at home is “Hello baby girl” to my Ziggi (6 year old Springer Spaniel). I then look up to see if Maddie (11 year old tuxedo cat) in near by (which is almost always is) and I give him a cheek rub and remind him how handsome he is. The last thing I say as I walk out of the house is to Ziggi and Maddie that I love them and to be GOOD. By just saying the words, I have a warmed heart.
 I have always said that I cannot trust people who choose not to have kids or animals (except due to medical or housing issues). This is because I don’t think they truly understand “unconditional love”. Animals have one of the best qualities, and that is they are UNABLE TO LIE. No wonder we find them as such LOYAL companions, because they can’t, won’t and don’t hurt us emotionally. Instead, they give us an outlet to say what we want, with no chance of repeating. We cry near them and they usually snuggle closer to us, because they understand whimpering as a sign of hurt. They know how to nurture – thinking back to when we first got Ziggi and she had a “False Pregnancy” where she was actually lactating. She would get all the stuffed animals from the kids rooms and hoard and lick them, but she never chewed or hurt them. It broke my heart to see she just THOUGHT she was pregnant and these natural instincts were displayed.


After mom passed away and we were living in Iowa, away from family, we got a kitten. This was my first cat; I had always grown up with dogs. Maddie (named after Madison) was my baby, my best friend and confidant. Many times I would cry myself to sleep and he was always there for me. He would actually lick my tears. To this day, if I am upset and crying he will come find me and just be hear me. That is loyalty.


I have wanted to add another dog to our family, but have feared that Ziggi and Maddie would feel somehow cheapened, so I have shied away. Thinking back to when Noah was born, I made sure Maddie was held almost as much as the baby, so he wouldn’t get resentful. Most photos have me holding both of them.


Recently, Scott told me he has always wanted an English Bulldog. Being a salesperson, I have seen this a HUGE opportunity to get my 2nd dog in the house. I have read as much research as possible, talked to Veterinarians, others that have them and decided that we could easily add one to our family with little turmoil. My extra time has been dedicated to this search. Wanting to give an animal a 2nd chance, I have been contacting all rescue organizations in the area. The first one that we seemed to be interested in had a donation fee of $600. Is this REALLY rescuing a dog? Needless to say, we had to look for additional possibilities. What has me worried is that my husband has seemed to catch COLD FEET. He is thinking of the expense (probably 1/50th of what he spent on golf this year). He wonders how we will travel (the whopping 3 weekends a year we go to Sparta) and he has tried to serve me a huge “Poo Poo Platter”. I am heartbroken. But being a salesperson, I will not give up!


I have been accused to like animals than most people on earth. If it were up to me, I would have a boarding service and spend my workdays with animals instead of people. That isn’t going to happen anytime soon (hello WI lotto), so I will continue to say hello and goodbye to my Loyal Creatures everyday, and always tell them what they mean to me. After all, they show me every day.