Molly enjoys our walks as much as I do.
Time Together
One day last fall while driving down Hwy-70 I saw a little grey-and-white Shih Tzu walking down the road. Since this was a remote area with no houses, I stopped and called to her. She didn’t have a collar and later I discovered she didn’t have a chip, either. After weeks of looking for her owner through proper channels without any luck, I decided to keep her.
I named her Molly because she looks like the little girl dog in my children’s books. Friends and family who come to visit treat her like a celebrity and she likes the attention. When someone pets or talks to her, she gets excited and wags her tail. If curled up on the couch, she flips for a belly rub.
Ten years ago, my husband, Michael, and I adopted a little terrier from the Watauga Humane Society in Boone, NC. We were on vacation at the time and saw the little dog’s picture in the newspaper. Michael loved the movie Smokey and the Bandit, so we named him, Bandit. A terrier loves to dig, so Michael taught Bandit to find toys and bones not only outside, but inside under pillows and blankets. They often played for hours. When Michael passed unexpectedly in 2014, Bandit seemed lost. When Bandit passed the next fall, it was like losing another part of Michael. After that I decided not to get another dog because it was just too painful. That was until Molly came along. Even my ninety-six-year-old mom thinks God sent her.
It’s amazing how a dog can change the dynamics in a household. It kind of reminds me of how a baby can do the same thing. Molly motivates me to stay on a schedule and enjoys going for walks both in the morning and the evening. If I’m a little late getting started, she’ll come sit beside me and whine. When I grab my coat, she’s standing at the door. During our walks, she sniffs the ground and observes the surroundings which include squirrels, birds and falling leaves. Her routine and her pace has helped me to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Being a caregiver for my mom can get tiring at times and stressful. My walks with Molly help to relieve some of that stress. An added bonus has been that I’ve lost ten pounds. I’ve been trying to lose ten pounds for over twenty years. Thanks, Molly.
There’s no denying the unconditional love of a dog. As I write this blog, Molly’s laying on the floor beside me. I’m glad I found Molly and I think she is, too.
How has a dog or pet changed your life? Leave a comment below, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
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