Lucy was my first dog of my own. I adopted her from the Kansas City Animal Shelter the summer after I graduated college. When I found her she was snuggled into the back corner of a metal cage and she looked at me with chocolate-colored eyes that melted me immediately. She still uses that sad look to her advantage. Now here's the thing about Lucy: she's smart. And not just with commands, but with intuition. You see, Lucy knows your mind almost as well as you do. She can tell when I'm upset or angry and she responds accordingly with either a head on my knee or hiding in her crate. She knows when I'm going to leave, that it's time to be fed, and the sound of certain people's vehicles. You almost get the sense that she is just another furry little person living in your house, but you know, one who just happens to chase squirrels and bark a lot. She is also the protector of the house. She stands guard at any open window and is the first to notify me if any stray animal or person dares to use the sidewalk out front. I have no doubt that if a stranger were to ever attack me that Lucy would tear off their leg in an instant. It's a nice sense of security to have. Lucy's nickname is the Enforcer. She barks when people hug, when Mac does something naughty (which is often), or if I laugh too loud. She has a very strict sense of the rules and she expects everyone else to fall in line. She may be a bit uptight, but she's fiercely loyal and a warm comfort in hard times.
Mac came along just this past year. I wanted a companion for Lucy, thinking it would be good for her to have another dog around during the day when I am gone to work. She tried to talk me out of it, but I insisted. I adopted Mac from a local organization, Gateway Pet Guardians, that rescues stray dogs from the streets of East St. Louis. It was Mac's ears that won me over. They are huge. And I don't mean just a little over-sized. I mean satellite dish, bat wing, sailboat huge. They are wonderful and every time he points those radar detectors in any direction, I can't help but chuckle. Now, Mac is Lucy's opposite, which I think makes them more compatible, and Lucy feels just makes him more obnoxious. Mac is all puppy. Still. A year later. He is the essence of pure joy in life, with favorite hobbies ranging from tearing apart trash with abandon, digging impressive holes in the backyard, leaping from one piece of furniture to the other, and un-making my bed. He does it all with enthusiasm. Lucy and I could learn a lot from him. He may not be as intelligent and intuitive as us, and he may cause a good deal of trouble and clean-up around the house, but he lives with an inspirational freedom and love of life that I could only hope for.
They are very special mutts, indeed. So to all of you who have your own furry kids at home, give them a good belly scratch and a doggie biscuit from me, and thank them for loving you, even when others didn't know what they were missing.
Lucy and Mac
If you want to find out more about adopting a dog, or another pet, please visit one of these websites:
Missouri Humane Society: http://www.hsmo.org/
Gateway Pet Guardians: http://gatewaypets.com/
