A Brand New Year, For Edward

A Brand New Year, for Edward

In the fair sea of mediocrity on which I generally sail, there are a few superlative islands that are mine alone.  I can make outstanding pie crust from scratch, for instance.  I have an excellent memory, a stellar eye for colour, and an above average capacity to ferret out the humour in most situations.  I can touch my nose with the toes of my right foot, a feat that used to be easily accomplished with the toes of my left as well, before the necessity of the November left hip replacement.  Hopefully I will be equally proficient on both sides before long, though I freely admit this is a decidedly useless talent and one I would hardly miss.  All things considered though, I am a remarkably average person.  Not exceptional in any way.  Which is why I am often humbled in the face of the love of my dog.

It is said that dogs choose their owners.  This was certainly the case with Edward and me.  The Songwriter and I had seen his photograph on the rescue website, looking a bit scraggly and thin from his weeks on the street, and made an appointment to meet him posthaste.  When he trotted round the corner and right up to me, our eyes met and ... well, don’t let anyone tell you there is no such thing as love at first sight.   He moved in that night and has been by my side ever since. 

 When I came home from the hospital in November, he padded down the hall after me, a look of concern on his furry face, and took up his position as my shadow.  If I got up, he got up.  If I left the room, he left the room.  He would approach any chair or sofa on which I perched, gauging whether or not there was room for us both.  Upon deciding there was, up he would come, turning round once or twice before lying down beside me with his head in my lap. When I walked out the door and down the drive to get into the car, he watched from the window, a look of frank disapproval on his face.  Apple checked on me frequently; Edward never left my side.  Now that we’re out on walks again, his spirits are noticeably higher, his worries are gone.  

Five and a half years ago, when I began this blog, I was admittedly rather shy about the process.  So I hid behind Edward.  He was, after all, privy to my musings about the wisdom of the undertaking.  I asked him point blank on several occasions whether or not it was a good idea.  He always looked at me kindly and smiled.  A confidence booster if ever there was one.  Quite fittingly, I named the blog for him and never really looked back.  He continually gives me stories and laughter, hope and enthusiasm for life.  All of which one needs to write, I assure you.

It is, therefore, only fitting that as the ashes of a tired year drift off on the midnight wind and so many new days fall round us like blessings, I should say a holy thank you for the incomprehensible love of a dog.  No one who has ever experienced it can truly explain it.  I only know that when one is blessed with that singular warmth and devotion, one sees the world in a convivial light.  Nothing is ever as bad as it seems when your dog smiles at you.  Nothing I have ever done in my life makes me deserving of that sort of love, but oh, how grateful I am for it.

The photograph above was taken a couple of days ago when we stopped to rest during a walk at the park.  I sit down, and Edward sits down.  Isn’t he just the handsomest fellow?  As sweet as soul as ever walked the earth.

Edward and I are marching into a new year

 with joy and sparkling anticipation for all the wonders to come. 

 Come join us!

 Our sweetest wishes for a Happy New Year for all of you.