Spud, The Unexpected Blessing

If you follow me on social media, you may have noticed my near-absence lately. For multiple reasons, I’m just not spending as much screen time as I had been. It’s been a while since I posted anything really personal, but today, I think I want to share with you my latest love. Last year, we got a new dog, a West Siberian Laika, named Spud.

My husband didn’t tell me he was bringing her home when he returned from a funeral out of state. He was gone for 3 days for that funeral. When he arrived home, he told me he brought me a surprise. I wasn’t sure what to expect with him. I really wasn’t happy when I saw he had a puppy.

Not A Puppy!

Now, it’s not that I hate dogs. Everyone who knows me, knows that my Jack Russell Terrier, Cookie, is my dearest love. I talk about her more than I do my husband. She is my constant companion when I am home, and often even when I go for a ride.

But, I just didn’t want the responsibility of another dog, especially a puppy that needed training. Spud is a high energy dog, so you might imagine how much energy she had as a puppy.

Still, I kept quiet and tried to be happy. He obviously wanted this puppy for a reason, and she had already become attached to him. So, I knew she was here to stay. I might as well love her.

Reluctantly I Loved Her

It didn’t take long. As much as I didn’t want to become attached myself, she quickly wormed her way into my heart. Although she was stubborn, she learned quickly when we taught her lessons. And, she was also quick to share “lovins” when we wanted some love from her.

Fast forward a year. I couldn’t imagine my life without her. There are moments when she exasperates me, of course. Like the couple of days she woke me up between midnight and 2 A.M. because she had slept enough and wanted to play. Or the time she chewed on my rose bush and pulled out a full stalk. (No, the thorns didn’t stop her at all.)

Healers Or Pets

I believe there are two types of dogs: those who are healers, and those who are pets. The healers are those who just understand your spirit. They immediately sense when you need attention or love. Tears don’t last long around them because they lick them away, as well as the rest of your face.

I have been lucky to have two dogs who are healers. Cookie, who I wrote about a few years ago when I began this blog, and now Spud. Spud is big enough she can give me hugs. Literal hugs. And, when she gives a hug, she will hold me until she has had enough. I can’t pull away until she is ready to let me go.

There is jealousy between Cookie and Spud because they both want to be the queen of the house. But, they still love each other, from their own distance. They share our attentions and neither of them has a chosen human they claim. It all depends on the mood of the day.

Sharing Attention

There are some days when Cookie will not leave my side, no matter how much Dan tries to entice her to him. And then some days she will be stuck to him like glue, because she knows he needs her. Spud seems to follow Cookie’s lead and gives more love to the one without Cookie.

The grandkids love them both. Spud has been the one they are more attached to right now. Perhaps it’s because she can match their energy. My heart was bursting watching my young grandson running Spud around on a leash in a large field. I wasn’t sure who was pulling who around. They were both so happy.

I didn’t realize the blessing I was receiving at the time when Dan brought Spud home. She has been a welcome addition to the household. I am truly grateful.