Forgiveness

It’s a quick note about scared puppies. A scared seventy pound dog crawling in your arms while you sleep is just about the best wake-up alarm you can have. Now if the wake up is coming much earlier than you would like, that is unfortunate. A scared seventy pound dog is a puppy regardless of its chronological age. Last night my Golden Retriever bundle of joy body slammed me to let me know of a passing thunder storm. “Thanks Vegas” I murmured groggily.

“Hold me!!!” Vegas responded. I rub her ears and she calms down. I start to fall asleep. She sits on my chest so I can’t.

“HOLD ME” Vegas repeats. I am awake. I am listening intently for the thunder. I don’t hear it. I rub her ears some more. She is calmer. She settles down beside me, curled up under my left arm. She believes herself to be the size of a poodle. Five minutes pass. No thunder. I close my eyes.

Thunder.

Vegas stands up completely and places her two front paws on either shoulder, staring down in my face. “WHAT DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND ABOUT “HOLD ME?!?”” I sit up completely, look her in the eye and tell her it’s almost over. She walks over to the side of the bed, jumps off, lands in her dog bed and hides her head under the night stand. The message is clear – I have failed her completely.

One of my most favorite dog qualities: No matter how completely you may have failed them in any given moment, you will always be forgiven. By morning, Vegas was circling the bed handing out kisses to any face drooped over the side. All I had to do was show up.

I love this dog.