Recuso

Whilst reading this article in ‘Psychology Today’, it reminded me of my dog and his little foibles….

When our dog Dewi died a couple of years ago, Lindsay and I  could not countenance the thought of replacing him. How could we? He was irreplaceable. He had attitude which I absolutely loved. He could walk for hours without complaint and just loved being in the country. We spent many days in the Peak District and Wales. I would be climbing and Dewi would just be chilling out enjoying the activity surrounding him.

On one particularly eventful day, we were climbing at Cratcliff. I had secured  Dewi on a rock away from any possible friction from other climbers (or so I thought). Preoccupied with the moves on the climb, I heard a shout and a bark. Quickly down climbing to see what the problem was. I was met with a rather irate Irishman shouting, ‘your fckin dog has just bit me’. It was Niall Grimes!

Even though I was concerned about any possible repercussions, I was more concerned about my dog than I was about this famous, (in the climbing world that is) climber. We laughed about it later in the pub and it went down in the annals of our climbing folklore ensuring that he lives on with fond memories not just with Lindsay and I but also with his extended family.

The benefits of being a carer of animals is incalculable. They offer so much more than what is initially perceived.

The opportunity and the privilege to experience the unconditional love that a companion gives shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is a responsibility that is sometimes squandered by those that should know better.

I am content to know that my dog Dewi had a fantastic life and we lived that life with him to it’s fullest.