Best Friends

When my daughter asked for a dog the groundwork had already been laid in my heart. Through my tumultuous childhood dogs had always been my friend. Often times my best friend.

Tramp My first best friend. My earliest memories are playing with him. A beautiful German Shepard. I used to perform lion shows with him, culminating with me placing my head in his Jaws. I loved Tramp. I was gutted when he was put down. He had jumped up on a friend of ours and cut her above her eye. My Dad had no choice. Took me a long time to forgive the young girl he had bitten. How dare she get bitten.

Cole He was a beautiful black lab. Once again he was my best friend. He was the ultimate family dog. I think he died of old age. I love the memory of my Dad driving away in the large Dodge family van off to the Hospital. Cole riding shotgun. My Dad was the coolest Doctor ever.

Farnz Barnz My grandfather named him. We asked him for ideas because of his large vocabulary. Apparently it was a nickname the RAF gave to suspect pilots. This dog was amazing. I think he came into our lives during a very transitional time, we all went to him when we needed a friend. I know I spent more hours with Farnz Barnz than any other dog. As everyone moved on, he stayed with dad till his end.

Taiko My first dog. He was 80 percent Wolf. Pure white. Gorgeous. He was unbreakable in spirit. Untrainable. I think I loved that about him. He went with me everywhere I went. His face was the inspiration for my Company logo. I was 30 something, he was no longer happy in a small yard. I felt I needed to give him to a farmer up in Vulcan. I wanted him happy. When I took him over I couldn’t hold the tears back. I miss him every day because I don’t know what happened to him. No closure.

“Dad, can we get a dog”

Ever since I had kids I wanted my son and daughter to have the experiences I had with dogs. My son was older now and not a fan. My partner at the time was not in favour at all.

One crisp morning me and Brook went for the short drive for coffee. In the parking lot we saw a man carrying a puppy and giving it to a young woman.

“Look Brook, that man has puppies” I pointed out.

We looked at each other.

“Should we?” I asked, knowing the answer.

“Yes!” She exclaimed.

So without a second thought, I made a decision that would be a contributor to my eventual breakup, We spoke for a Golden Lab.

My son named him Bauer.

I’d like to say the story ends there and we lived happily ever after. We didn’t. Bauer was the puppy from hell. He loved to bite my partner further straining an already shaky relationship. He ate my good boots. If you know me, you know I’m lucky to have one pair of functioning shoes. He chewed on my antique armoire my Father gave me. He scratched my floor.

I found myself wondering how the hell I had ever loved dogs. I hated Bauer. Resented him. I was mean spirited and harsh to him. I actually was wondering if in fact I had outgrown my love of dogs.

I struggled to find time to run him. I came home to his face on the local Facebook forum twice, with neighbours threatening his existence. He had this insane sex drive, and violated all of Brooklyn’s teddy bears. This disturbed me. I felt my dog was a sexual predator. It didn’t help that every time I looked at him he had his tongue out, as well as another extremity.

The only reason I didn’t get rid of him was my daughter. She loved him. Even my son was letting him into his heart. Through all my hate he never left my side. If I left the room he’d follow. If I yelled at him he’d go to the corner, but keep me in his site.

My heart started to melt further as my relationship with my partner ended. He became my primary companion. He slept in my bed. Every am we drive to the coffee shop where we bought him. I buy him Timbits. He then chases my truck as I drive down a gravel road. He greets me at the door every day. He is possibly the only living creature on planet earth that seems to enjoy my guitar playing. He loves me. Unconditionally.

I still tell him his mother gave him up for adoption, that I don’t love him. But my tone has changed. Someday it will be just me and him. I’m happy I’ll have him. below is a pic of him watching me right now. He is my best friend.

If you read this far, Thank you.

Tris