This is part of our Saturday Editorial Series. Normally, we let our dogs do all of the talking! Join Peanut Butter Brickle and Digby Pancake every weekday for their take on life at 2travelingdogs.com
If you have followed our blog this week, you know that it was a rough one. Digby hurt his paw. It was just a small cut, but it wreaked havoc on our emotions, our schedules, and put any plans we had for the week on hold. But through it all, Digby rarely showed signs of being depressed or unhappy. Sure, he was uncomfortable, but he was definitely a good patient.
If you are like me, you love your dogs. Well, you more than love your dogs. Your dogs are your life. Yet, most of us don’t tell our dogs the full reasons why we love them. We don’t take the time to tell them why they are so special, how much they mean to us or how awesome they are until it is too late. And what happened to Digby this week really made me think.
I have seen the posts on social media when a dog or pet passes away and the outpouring of emotion. It is touching to read how much our pets mean to us in these posts. But I often wonder, did these pets know?
Sure, we show our love in many ways to our furkids. Feeding them right, exercise, major life decisions based on their happiness and much more. And we take it for granted that because we do these things that our dogs know how much we love them. But do they? What if we took a moment today to write and read a love letter to our dogs? What if we outlined exactly why we love them…in this moment of time? In the years to come, what if we could look back on this day and feel in our hearts that our dogs knew…because we told them?
So for this week, I choose to dedicate our blog editorial to Digby Pancake. Next week, I will address Peanut Butter Brickle. I know that there will be something special I leave out. Yet, I know that time will dictate I write another letter later on. For now, this is in my heart.
Dear Digby Pancake,
I know that I am taking up your time today from napping, waiting for treats and maybe even making your favorite time of day, dinner, a little late. But this is important. We talk everyday, it’s true. Many times I am telling you not to do something, or to wait or to lay down, or to go outside. Many times I tell you not to bark in the campgrounds or not to step where you just used the bathroom. Why do you do that, by the way?
I want you to know that most of the time, I hate telling you these things. I want you to be able to run free as you want to, I want you to do whatever your hearts desires. But I do these things to keep you safe. I know that you didn’t ask to travel with us. But I hope that you have liked it. I actually hope that you have loved it. You are the best traveler ever! Have I told you that before? You are so calm and love looking out of the window. You wait patiently when we get to our campsite and are so excited at the new places. Sometimes I feel guilty that we don’t have a house without wheels yet. But I want you to know we are working on plans and it is all based on you and your brother. And we will always be together even if where we live changes. Being together will never change.
I want you to know that I see your body changing and how you are getting older. Do you know you are older? I wonder that so much. Because you never let your bumps and lumps and aching bones make you cry. You try so hard to do everything your brother does. And I want you to know that we will make everything as easy as we can for you in the days to come. And there are going to be more good days than anything. That I will promise you.
I look at you Digby, and I get lost in your brown eyes. I have never looked into eyes with as much pure love as yours. All you are is good. All you are! We joke with you about your personality and the funny things you do. But I want you to know that without you, life would be boring and so not fun. Thank you Digby for keeping us focused on the good things in life. Because you are one of them.
The first day that I went to the shelter to meet you because Nathan wanted you in our family but was away on business, I was unsure. I was unsure if we were good for you. I was unsure if you would like your brother Brickle. Yet, I knew that we had to try. And when you walked through our door, our lives were never the same. I will never know everything you went through, or how you ended up in those shelters. I will never understand why it took so long for you to get adopted, except that you were meant for us. You are special Digby. Don’t ever think that you deserved to be in a shelter. Never think that you were not good enough. Because did you know that you are the most special Digby that there ever was? I am telling you that you are.
And Digby? I want to tell you thank you. Thank you for giving me a purpose, a reason to wake up everyday. Thank you for helping me to realize that even though I did not have human kids like I thought I would, that I am still a mom to you and Brickle. Thank you for all of your hard work with pictures and videos. Thank you for your patience with us. Thank you for helping us to make a living so that we can spend more time with you. You are such a good worker, Digby. You went to 48 states with us and more trips than that! You went with us to shelters and rescues on our trip, and I know that you were probably confused on that. But did you know that you were helping those animals there? Oh, you did so good!
I am sure Brickle tells you this…but he loves you as much as he loves me. He loves you as much as he loves Nathan. You keep him young! You keep him happy and give him a purpose. And you are the best brother he could have. And you eat his green beans. He would do anything for you, Digby. You compliment each other. You are the best of friends. You have been through so much together. You have shown what a good brother you are.
I know there are many things I am leaving out, but that is ok. Because in the years to come, I will write you more. I will tell you more. We still have many years to come and exciting things to do! I will try and realize what you like and be aware of that. I will make mistakes. I know that you know that. I am sorry for the times I am short with you, or get frustrated. It is not your fault. And I will work on that. Because you are everything to me in a perfect, Digby package.
Lastly, Digby, I want to tell you today that in my heart that bursts with love for you when I hear you snore or I see how excited that you get for dinner, that there will never be another dog like you. You matter and you have mattered since the day you were born. There are many people that love you including me and your Nathan. I know you two have a special bond, and that is ok! Don’t ever feel guilty for it. I know that what we have is special too. And for the rest of my days, I will strive to be the best person I can for you. Because you are the best Digby. I love you, Digby.
Love,
Me. I have no idea what you call me.
-Rachael Johnson, Owner and Girl Person of 2 Traveling Dogs and Your Dog’s Diner
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