subject: The Special Relationship Between Dog And Master [print this page] I remember the day I found out my dog diedI remember the day I found out my dog died. The beautiful Irish Setter I had owned since I was thirteen no longer came to greet me when I came home. I had been out of State and had asked a dog sitter to watch Rusty. When I got back there was no explanation, no apology, just the cold, hard fact that Rusty was gone.
Few people understand the pain of losing a favorite pet. Some people find it silly to find a grown adult mourning the loss of their faithful companion. These critics have either had a rare and bad experience, or simply have never had a dog.
Anyone who's ever had a dog knows how much joy they bring. Sure they occasionally relieve themselves in the wrong place, or scare your guest, but they're worth it. From the moment they cuddle up in your arms and fall asleep as you bring them home, a special bond is formed.
I sometimes wonder about my dog. Did he die because the sitter was careless and fed him a chicken bone? Maybe she hit Rusty. Maybe it was because he missed me too much. Maybe, the sitter let Rusty escape and he got run over. Maybe she forgot to lock the door and someone tried to break in, and Rusty attacked the burglar and got killed in the process. I don't know. I never will.
Life is uncertain. That much I've learned. While there are many things in life that can't be controlled, you should take advantage of the ones that you can control. Things like health insurance, life insurance, and home security systems, while at the time may seem like an inconvenience, can prevent pain. If I'd had a home security system, who knows, maybe Rusty would still be here today.
