Love Letters and Lessons: Part 2

As promised here are more letters to dogs written by our readers to their canine companions past and present. You can find Part 1 here.

“Dear Dog,
Thank you for always wanting to have walks with me and always enjoying yourself, whatever the weather. Thank you for introducing me to lots of interesting people and for taking me to puppy and training classes so I could start understanding you a little better and your friends that you like to play with. Thank you for also teaching me that you have a language with other dogs that I cannot always understand. So still showing me that I have and always will have lots to learn.”

“Thank you for keeping me grounded to the natural world. You are a minimalist. The basics that you live by are the basics that we humans actually need.”

“Dear Dogs (I have many)
Thank you for teaching me what I needed to learn. Thank you for learning what I needed to teach. Thank you for being there when I needed you there. Thank you for your patience when I didn't get it. Thank you for being around I'm just sorry you won't be around long enough.”

“Dear Dog,
My little 12-year-old girl, I love you. You have given me something that I would not have if I hadn't gone back to that barn on that sunny day to take another look at the puppies. Because of you my life opened up to a whole new world of training and trialing dogs. I have friends that would not be in my life if not for you...thank you. Your strong will taught me patience when I was at my wits end with you. I thank you for trusting that I wasn't knowledgeable enough to train you the way you needed to be trained. You will always be my best teacher.”

“Hello Doggie,
Aroo-oo-oo! Hey, Hol'! Wanna play?! I'll be home in a few days. I surely do miss you! Dad and I are having a fine time but it would be even better if you were here. We've found that this city has more dogs than children - doesn't that sound grand?! I know, I know, our family likes children, too but many of the ones we've seen were overtired and a bit whiny from being dragged around sightseeing in the rain and cold. Perhaps their parents will be able to salvage some quiet moments with them and help the memories of the trip be happy ones. Dad and I were so amazed, before you came along, when we took your human siblings to Mt. Rushmore and the highlights of the whole trip for them were playing in the pools at the hotels! There isn't much open space to play here, though I do think you'd enjoy all the smells and human places to explore. Have you had any adventures there at home? Dad and I love you dearly and miss you (even your big Frito smelling feet). We'll be home soon! Mom”

“Dear Dog,
You came into my life when I was not sure I wanted you and now I never want to know what it would be like without you.”