We all need fourlegged friends
KERRI-ANNE KENNERLEY on the special bond that helped her hubby in hospital
Ithink Digger, my golden retriever, was a pig in another life because his favourite activity – besides eating anything – is bolting away from me to find muddy water and immersing himself.
On the way to the park, he’s a very popular dog but on the way home, everyone just looks and laughs. I so have to smile at the photo I call “Checkmate”. It’s of Digger’s friend Ziva, the elegant Dalmatian sitting on my conservatory floor.
We’ve always loved dogs. Our first was Angus, a golden retriever, then Jo Louis the 14th, a black cocker spaniel with curls atop his head (hence the title), Murphy the brown-and-white springer spaniel, Bentley the golden retriever (named because that’d be the closest I’d ever get to one), Harvey, another springer spaniel, named after Geoff Harvey the maestro from Midday, and now Digger.
Losing a beloved pet is devastating and so very, very sad. My husband John and I cried buckets when each one passed. You can never replace them as they are all so individual in personality, quirks and spirit.
Even so, we never hesitated to find a new four-legged friend to fill our home. It’s amazing how tough it is training a puppy, and how quickly we forgot each time!
When John was in hospital I’d take Digger into intensive care. Yes, they allow dogs – in fact, humans carry more germs. It’s proven dogs are therapeutic, used in courts, aged care facilities, homes for special needs people, etc.
If they don’t add years to your life, they certainly add love and meaning and make ours, personally, a fuller experience.