Dogs!

Let me introduce myself by introducing my dogs. Up on top is the ever mischievous Arya, the younger of our perilous pair, who nevertheless acts as big sister. She’s my coworker, a meme that popped up during Covid work-from-home lockdowns, but still applies to her. Arya is, according to the vet, a mix of corgi, red heeler, and Jack Russell. Since she’s two-thirds herding dog, those instincts help me out every day, whether with my dog sitting job, or just with Bran.

Bran is a little boy who’s always either cuddly, playful, or hungry—or all three. The vet told me that his best guess for this silly mishmash of a mutt was pug, dachshund, chihuahua, and boxer. I didn’t believe that last till I saw a photo of him at our sitter’s place, next to a boxer—then I was convinced!

Apparently, one of Bran’s ancestors knew how to use a stepladder.

Bran likes to hang out in the back yard and bark. And bark. And bark. And this is where one of Arya’s skills comes in. I discovered this very early in our friendship: she will go outside and get him.

I was bringing the dogs in one day; Arya came right in, but Bran was being stubborn. Arya and I were just standing there at the back door, waiting. I looked at her, she looked at me, and—I actually did not expect anything to happen!—I said, “Go get your brother.”

She went and got him.

Arya ran out, nipped Bran, got him to chase her, and brought him back in. That’s when I knew she was something special.

Bran is also special, of course, but… let’s just say that Arya’s got all the brains of the pair. So, yeah. She’s my coworker.

Bran, though? He’s my baby, my Bran boy, my little cuddle muffin. Arya is my husband’s dog, but Bran is mine. (Well, really, my husband is Arya’s person, and I’m Bran’s, because every pet owner knows that’s the way it actually works.)

My dogs are my life, in more ways than one. They drive me up the wall, make me laugh, and give me the kind of love and friendship that only comes from animals. I don’t think I’ll ever understand people who don’t want the steadfast companionship of animals in their lives.

Animals help make life worth living.