While to some a dog being injured or hurt or even passing may not be a big thing, to me it is everything.  My animals are my children.  They mean as much to me as my blood family.  And when one is sick or injured, I worry and cry as much as if one of my human loved ones were ill.

Monster has been my companion for seven years now.  Originally, I got Monster when I was involved with Bobby.  (Those that know me know this reference).  When I came home to find another woman in bed with Bobby, Monster came with me (as did all the animals).  Monster has always been there for me.  He can sense when I am upset or distraught, and literally puts his whole self on me as if to give me a hug.  He lets me wrap my arms around him and cry when I need to, or chase him around to play when I feel happy.  Monster is jealous of the attentions I give to the honey, as he is my man and no one else is allowed to love me.  Monster needs to be near me, needs hugs and attention, needs me as much as I need him.  To me, he is not just a dog.  I truly wonder if he’s a reincarnated soul for there is wisdom in his eyes that cannot be explained.

Monster is a Husky/Australian Shepard/Lab mix.  When we responded to the ad to get him, it was for a “Husky Mix”.  We’d been looking for a husky puppy and this seemed to be a good fit.  When we got there, we were greeted by a litter of puppies that were all almost black and tan and one little combobulation   of all the leftover parts.  “He’s the ugly one” they said.  He had one blue eye and one brown eye, some spots and some gray fur with tan feet and muzzle, and a spotted tongue.  It was love at first sight.  I had to have him.

Monster grew into his name, chewing through the wires of every electrical appliance Bobby had, truly being a little monster.  Monster tried to play with the cats, but they didn’t really like his rambunctious form of play; the ferret however loved to chase Monster around and latch onto his upper lip while Monster spun in circles. 

To this day, Monster still loves the cats, and since he is calmed down, they don’t mind him as much.  The ferret has since left us (a different tale in itself) and it is mostly just Monster and Scruffy that rule the house.  Scruffy, our other dog, is 19 years old, and though her arthritis makes it hard for her to get around, she otherwise is as spry as a puppy.  Scruffy has been searching for Monster all morning, as he is at the emergency vet clinic receiving IV fluids and intensive care.  I had to lay on the couch with her next to me to calm her down.

So many people view animals as things, which are incapable of emotions or devotions.  I have witnessed, too often, that this is not true at all.  When our big male black cat, Nosferatu, passed, his ‘harem’ – Pookie and Isis – cried at the windows for days looking for him.  Today, as Scruffy realized Monster was nowhere to be found, she wandered around listlessly from door to door looking for him everywhere.

Monster is my rock.  He is always there to comfort me, for me to wrap my arms around and hold on to; the only one that will never judge me but will always love me.  I only hope my rock doesn’t crumble on me today...