I used to think this was a sad story, but it turns out to be a happy one.
I love Thanksgiving.
Any holiday that is only about the food is OK by me (I think Maui agrees with me).
As I have been making my “Gravy List” this month, (a list of all the things I am grateful for) I was surprised to find myself writing down
“I am grateful that I didn’t get Maui when I was a little boy.”
Let me explain.
I started asked my parents for a white doggy when I was four, but they never allowed me to have one.
No matter how often I asked, they put it off until “next year.”
They never understood how badly I wanted that little dog. I never did get her. On my tenth birthday - when I was absolutely sure they would give me a dog - they gave me a guinea pig instead.
I’m sorry, but a guinea pig is not a dog.
I was a good kid and I didn’t complain, so I don’t think they ever knew how much that hurt my feelings.
I was so heartbroken every birthday and holiday when I didn’t get a dog. Remembering it makes me a little lonely for that poor kid.
As I got older, I didn’t expect them to get me a dog, and stopped asking. But I never stopped wanting a little, white, bouncy dog to curl up on my lap.
Then, fifteen years ago, I DID get her!
I gave Maui to myself on Valentine’s Day 1993, and I am so grateful that I did.
As an adult, I understand that my parents weren’t being mean - they just didn’t get how important this was.
And if they had given me my dog then … well maybe I would never have found Maui on my own.
And if I didn’t want her so badly for so long, maybe I wouldn’t appreciate her as much as I do now.
Who knows how things would have been different?
As the holiday season progresses, I hope that you get your fondest heart’s desire.
After all, the child in us deserves to get everything he or she wants.
It may not be possible to get what you want, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it.
For a lot of us, the love we share with our dogs (and cats!) is the purest love we’ve ever felt.
I’m grateful for that love every day, but especially on Thanksgiving.
It touches my heart to know you are all out there, watching Maui’s little movie and hugging your own dogs (and cats) like I hug mine.
Wow…I can almost feel all of you spilling over with love for your dogs.
Can you feel that, too?
Take a minute to “tune in” to all the dog lovers reading this.
Isn’t it amazing?
Thank you for that, too.
Happy Thanksgiving.
And if you haven’t watched the movie “Do You Remember Love?” in a while, go see it now. My mother-in-law says it is the perfect way to start the holiday season and remind ourselves of the true meaning of this time of year.
November 22nd, 2007 at 7:32 am
Thankyou for the great story,I never had a dog while I was growing up but I can completely agree with you that the best things are sometimes the ones you’ve waited for! I’ve been blessed with some of the happiest times in my life with my furbabies . Thanks for all the super things you share on your site.
I’m in the U.K. so don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but I hope you have a good one and say Happy day to Maui for me.
Your friend in the U.K.
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Your recent posting reminds me how lucky I am to have my dog, a petite Golden Retriever. I took care of a Golden Retriever, named Aubrey in 1998 and have been in love with the breed every since. Always said I’d get a Golden.
A friend & co-worker bred her Golden and all the pups were taken initially, then five people backed out of taking a pup. I went over often to help with feedings & cleanings. One pup, #8 always jumped out of the pen into my arms licked me on the chin twice then chomped once, she did this every time I visited. I continued to resist, but once there were 4 pups left and #8 was one of them I realized it had been 8 years since I’d taken care of Aubrey, so what was I waiting for? I decided to bring #8 home….now named Vianne, this dog is the love of my life…and I wasn’t supposed to get a dog until I got a house. Do you see the connection with the number 8?
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Thank you for your understanding for the love a person has for their pets and companions. I had a Doberman named Bowie from the time she was 7 weeks old to the age of 10 going on 11 when I had to let her go because she had very bad congestive heart failure. We also had her father named Black Sabbath (Sabs for short) and Bowie was the pick of the litter (actually she picked us by following us around while we were looking at her brothers and sisters and trying to choose.) I loved her like a daughter I never had. I missed her and still will forever. She left me on 3/11/02. Since then I have adopted a terrier mix named Misty who is the most lovable dog and who now fills my heart with joy. Misty has been with me for five years and is a great comfort. I love your stories and compassion you have for animals. A lot of people don’t understand how people like us feel about our pets. Thank you for being you.