The best thing about dogs is their unconditional love. Everyone with a dog thinks they have the best dog in the world. Dogs transcend the barrier of pets and become friends and family members.
Mowgli lived 15 amazing years, and it was simply time. He was tired. He fought so hard to be here for us. Losing him hurts something fierce, but I'm also relieved he's no longer in pain. He's not struggling.
When I started dating my wife 15 years ago, she came with a puppy. He was only a couple of months old, but their bond was incredible. I had never seen anything like it. In a short time, he and I also had that bond. I wish I could share all the amazing things he used to do, but every time I think of one, I think of another. But he went everywhere with us. If we were driving somewhere to run errands and one of us could stay in the car, Mowgli came. At a friend's or a family member's house, Mowgli came. Unless he wasn't welcome, but anyone who knew Mowgli said he was always invited.
Mowgli could read you like a book if you were sad, angry, sick, whatever. He knew, and he was there for you. Before our son was born, my wife had some complications with pregnancy, and while I never had the perfect words, in his way, Mowgli did. He saved her life. When we did have our son we swore we weren't going to be the parents that gave all our attention to the baby, our dog would still get his love. We tried, but reality was a different thing. Mowgli did what he always did, adjusted, and was there for us how we needed him to be.
When my son was born, he was almost 8, and the super playful dog was now more of an old man who just wanted to relax. Relatable. The timing was just never right with those two. Our son was young and full of energy and wanted to play, and Mowgli did not. A few years earlier, and I think they would have been the best of friends. While Mowgli probably resented him a bit and was annoyed at times, he always protected him. He was always the first one in the bedroom after a nap to make sure he was okay. And when our son was sad or sick, Mowgli was there, just like he had been for us.
Fifteen amazing years and it's still not enough. I didn't deserve him. I feel guilty, as expected. I feel like we didn't do enough to show him how loved he was, but then I realize there is nothing I could do that equals how much I love that dog. I feel relief, because I know he isn't hurting anymore. I feel self-pity, loneliness, and all the things you think when you lose someone. These are the worst days, but the trade-off for those 15 years is worth it. That is why we signed up for it. We got it all and more with Mowgli. Everything in my life is better because he was in it.
Everyone with a dog thinks they have the best dog in the world. But I'll tell you what, I think we really did.
