S-U-P-P-O-R-T
“There is something magical about a boy and his dog. The unbreakable bonds of pure love, loyalty and friendship. A dog would never leave, never laugh, never think less of you because you misunderstood and made mistakes. You are their person, steadfast in their devotion, with an endless enormity to forgive. When his friend’s fail him, when his teacher’s don’t understand him, when his parent’s are short on patience, his dog will be there to take those moments away. His dog will be his safe place, his drooling confidante to share his sorrows and everyday wins.”
Image Credit: Clint McKoy
Pierce wanted a dog. After months of hard campaigning and many recon trips to Petsmart failed to get him the ball python he desperately longed for, my son resorted to Plan B – a family dog. Truthfully, it was probably all part of the masterplan, knowing that mom and dad could not refuse a giant slobbering, furball of affection and destruction, when the alternative was a reptile that needed to feed on frozen rodents (whole)…and maybe your children (if you ever forgot to lock the cage). The thought that a “pet snake” could outlive me (with a lifespan of 20-30 years) undeniably helped his cause – We were getting a family dog.
Before any nauseating debates could even begin deciding dog colour, shape, size, flouffiness, barkiness, if it can self replicate by the sheer amount it sheds, and general level of neurosis we were willing to tolerate in a family pet, Pierce’s little heart already had a vice-grip on a Czech-trained police K-9 calibre German Shepherd. After all, the dog was going to be his body guard, that would eat potential bullies at school (or at least lick them to death), and double as an unofficial emotional support animal – a logical and perfect combination.
The $25 000.00 US pre-pandemic price tag, however, made it a non-starter. After much negotiation, many months of tears, and many compromises, we settled and got on the waiting list for something a little less…elite…a little less…tactical…and a little less… police K-9. We chose a family friendly golden retriever, the mark of any good suburban home, and gold standard of beginner family dog – something even our family couldn’t break. Getting said-golden retriever during Covid-Times however, was a journey and story unto itself.
In the end, we went back to the drawing board and started over with a different breeder and breed all together. It turned out to be the best decision we could have made and we are so grateful. After a 2 year long process, we are excitedly preparing to welcome a new family member in the coming months.
When the big day arrives and Pierce finally gets to bring home his dog, I am anticipating and dream of a hard, fast and everlasting bond between the two. When you have a such a remarkable and empathetic child that feels everything so completely, it’s a fine tightrope we walk as parents - constantly trying to find that balance of validating your child’s feelings, and preserving the purity of their emotions - but having to push them past how they feel in order to adapt to the “harder” and “colder” world around him. It is with a tail wag, and endless, unconditional love from his little companion that I hope will always remind and reassure him that he is adored, that he is loved, that he is perfect as he is for this crazy world – that he is ENOUGH. It is with gentle kisses and warm doggy breaths, that I hope will put to rest the heartaches on the days when he feels a little defeated, and uplift him when he is sometimes overwhelmed. I am waiting to witness the wonder and magic that happens when a boy and his dog grow….together.
“It is with a tail wag, and endless, unconditional love from his little companion that I hope will always remind and reassure him that he is adored, that he is loved, that he is perfect as he is for this crazy world – that he is ENOUGH.”