Overwhelmed

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Sometimes I find myself so overwhelmed with love and admiration for this little dog, I just don't know how to express it.  I mean, many times each day I tell her I love her and give her a little pat or scratch behind the ears.  I see her gazing back at me with those big brown eyes, and I know that love is reciprocated.  But sometimes it doesn't seem like enough. Does anyone else experience this?

The other day there was a doggie swimming party.  It was little hectic, so I wasn't able to get any pictures or video - sorry about that.  It was put on by a pit bull rescue, and there were some pretty big, strong dogs there.  Lola is getting better at swimming after the ball, but she's no match for a 3-year-old dog pit or retreiver mix.  Each time I would throw the ball, she would dutifully swim after it.  Each time, before she was able to get to it, one of those big dogs would come swimming in out of nowhere, making a big splash and taking "her" ball.

After about four or five times of this, Lola had enough.  She realized that the pool was next to a wall, and that there was a narrow cement ledge on the side of the pool, along the wall.  Lola was able to shimmy along that ledge all the way down to the deep end, but none of the big dogs could fit on it without falling in the water.  So she shimmied.  Each time one of the big dogs would look up at her, she would freeze - as if she was sneaking and didn't want them to see.  Finally she got all the way down by the deep end.

There was one big dog that was being particularly annoying about taking all the balls.  So Lola waited for his owner to throw a ball into the deep and and for him to be bounding after it into the water.  Then she jumped in from the ledge, way ahead of everyone else.  She grabbed the ball and proudly swam back to shore where I was jumping up and down, encouraging her.  She trotted out of the water and shook herself off.  No gloating or celebration, just came over and handed me the ball, same as she's done a thousand times before.  It was so cool.

Then today we were at the vet for a booster.  We hadn't been there in a while, and there was a new vet tech who remarked about how cute Lola was.  The other vet tech, who has known Lola since she was a tiny puppy, said, "That's Lola.  She is cute.  And she's famous."

Later that same vet tech said that she could tell that Lola and I have a "tangibly good relationship".  That really made my day.  Of course I always think that, particularly when I'm out and I see people yelling at, negotiating with and chasing their dogs that don't listen.  People who just aren't in sync with their dogs.  But I especially love it when someone else notices.  Itmakes it more real, like I'm not just making it up.

Many of you know, I've been through some challenging person issues in the past year or so.  But because of this little dog, I can honestly say, without hesitation, that the past ten months have been the best of my life so far.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Thank you Christine.

Cathy, what a sweet comment.  The way you describe it - "THERE" - is right on.

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Jay, like so many DK'ers, you too, have a way with words. Your love for Lola is there in every word you wrote. I can clearly picture Lola besting those big bully dogs with a simple, "THERE", at the end. Thanks for sharing. I understand the healing power of our special doodles. My boys were a saving grace to me in the last year that seemed so full of loss.

[Christine & Shelby]

Jay... Love this blog and I can relate. Lola is your heart dog for sure!

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Heart Dog ... I like that.  Serindipity (my beagle from when I was little, and Lola's namesake) was like that too.  I've been lucky like that I suppose.  Whenever things get really hard and I don't know how to continue or who to turn to for help ... it seems like that is when G-d send me a dog.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Jay surely you jest about Lola's drinking habits. But I do like the fact that my dogs don't talk bac, well, not usually. They are so much less complicated to relate to than most people.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jay, I can tell you and Lola have a very special relationship.  She is truly your 'heart dog.'

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

And Donna - not only does she not complain when I leave the toilet seat up, she insists on it.  :) Now I just need to get her to drink out of her water bowl...

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Thank you everyone for the nice comments.  I suppose I should have thought about this at the very beginning, but it just occurred to me to find a picture of the pool online.  You can see the ledge I was talking about along the right-hand side.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I really enjoyed your blog.  What a wonderful tribute to Lola and the relationship the two of you share! Lola and "the ledge" made me smile.  What a smart girl you are, Lola -- you showed those big guys :)  It sounds like you let Lola into your heart and she's returned that love ten fold. Not only does she make you smile, but she makes you happy when she makes others smile.  Sounds like you've found your heart dog for sure!  It doesn't get any better than that! Hugs to you little Lola --and keep keeping those big guys on their toes :)

[Pat and Traveler]

Love how Lola shimmied down the ledge, got the ball and acted like it was no big deal.  Now that's one smart dog!  Had to smile at your description of jumping up and down, encouraging her to swim home with the ball. 

Sounds like you and Lola found each other at just the right time.