19 of 428

Write now Article Tools

A dog is man's best friend. That describes my relationship with Krystal. While I recently lost my little pal, her spirit and memory live on in my heart.

When I first met my Cairn terrier 15 years ago, she was busy playing in a laundry basket. She had high hopes of finding a good home that day and wasn't going to take no for an answer. My Mother chose a puppy from the litter. I wasn't actually looking for a pet that day but Krystal didn't give up hope. She jumped out of the basket and ran across the yard. Suddenly she was trying to climb up in my pants leg. It was such a cute act to watch as she chose me and from that moment I was hopeless hooked.

As a puppy, Krystal was full of energy. She didn't really like other animals, seeing them always made her bark. We even joked that she seemed to think she was the master and I was her dog.

Dogs provide things you can't find in other pets. They serve as a private security system, alerting you to possible intruders and unauthorized activity in the home. It leaves you with an overwhelming sense of safety. Krystal knew the house extensively and had memorized the location of every piece of furniture and all our accessories. With the slightest misplacement she was on guard, barking to alert us that something had been disturbed.

In addition to providing security, she was also attentive to matters of health. I had several surgeries during our time together. It was always nice coming home to unconditionally loving arms. As healing began, she would sit on the end of my blanket. I was sure she was channeling love.

She was my confidant and my friend, allowing me the opportunity to nurture. Not having my own children, I still had the experience of being responsible for caring about another life. No matter what happened or what I said, she loved me. She forgave me if I forgot to feed her at exactly the right time or when I was out longer than planned.

Krystal was my own private fan club. She cheered me on in the pursuit of my dreams. When I was going through massage school, she was comfortable letting me practice new techniques. She loved the healing touch and was willing to cuddle.

There are so many things I could say about what my dog still means to me. She always left me feeling loved and taught me to look at myself in a positive way.

Learn more about this author, Diane Stacey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Memoirs: What my dog means to me?
We want to hear your view. Write now!