Читать книгу The Dog with the Old Soul - Jennifer Sander Basye - Страница 4

“An animal anthology? Really? You?” new friends may ask upon hearing about this book project, looking around my well-ordered house, devoid of cat hair or a wet-dog smell. What gives? There are no bags of pet food in my garage. My newspaper is recycled promptly, never placed at the bottom of a birdcage. Older friends nod in understanding, though, since they knew the Airedale that lives on forever in my heart.

Animals take up residence in our hearts, sometimes consuming all available space and leaving no room for another dog, cat, horse or bird to be added to the mix. I love dogs, but I haven’t had one myself in years. Just like some people have only one perfect love in their lives and, once it is over, don’t feel the need to replace it, my dog Big Guy spoiled me as an owner. I delight in having others’ pets around me, though, and I love to watch the affection and interaction between animals and people.

We are devoted to our animals, and they can be just as devoted to us. A recent news item touched everyone who stumbled upon it—the story of a man in China who passed away, leaving only a yellow dog behind. The dog refused to leave his grave, lying atop it day after day. Villagers brought the dog food and water, and one resident told reporters that the sight of the grieving dog “made my heart smile and cry.”

The stories in The Dog with the Old Soul will also make your heart both smile and cry. There are stories of joy—the thrill of a new puppy, the excitement of a young girl’s first horse show ribbon, the silliness of a room filled with cats. But life isn’t always joyful, and there are stories of the comforting role that animals can play in our emotional lives. There are times in life when reaching down to pet a familiar fuzzy head can help ground us in a way nothing else can.

It is my hope that these stories touch you deeply, and that more than once while reading, you reach out and pull your pets in closer to you on the couch. Enjoy!

Jennifer Basye Sander