The Encounter with the Dog That Brought Smiles to Our Home
A week of persistent low-grade fever. But today, I'd like to talk about how we met our dog.
The fever that had gone down once after COVID has returned as a low-grade fever since the start of this week. Coughing, runny nose, low-grade fever. Is it a lingering effect of COVID, hay fever, or just a common cold?
Although I'm not feeling severely ill, this state of 'not quite feeling like myself' has been continuing, and it's making my mood a bit gloomy as well.
However, since my last post was also about my health, I was a bit hesitant to write about the same topic again. After all, I want those who take the time to read this to feel at least a little bit brighter.
So today, I'd like to write about the encounter with the dog that came to our home about it.
■ During the COVID pandemic, my wife said, 'I want a dog'
Back then, we couldn't go anywhere and were spending a lot of time at home. One day, my wife suddenly said,
'I want a dog.'
She said.
As for me, I had a dog when I was a child, and the painful memory of being there at the end stayed with me so strongly that I was against it at first.
'I don't want to go through that again.' I think that feeling was somewhere inside me.
■ Even so, my wife's desire was strong
My wife was serious. Every day, she would look up information on various dog breeds and show it to me.
Before long, she found the website of a fairly well-known breeder in a neighboring prefecture... and she was completely smitten by the photo of a small puppy posted there.
'I want to meet this puppy.' With that one word from my wife, it was decided that we would go to pick him up.
I remember that even though I had been against it, I found myself excited a few days before we went to get him.
■ I will never forget the day we first met
We went to pick him up by car, and when we actually met him, although I knew from the website that he was '3 months old' and 'about 400g,' seeing him in person, he was smaller than I imagined, and I was almost afraid to hold him.
I remember my heart tightening at the thought, 'I am going to be responsible for such a small life.'
While we were discussing the contract, the puppy was sleeping quietly in his cage, and just looking at his sleeping face made my heart feel warm.
■ The moment I brought it home, an unexpected "Woof!"
Then, the moment I brought it home and let it out of the cage into the room— Woof! it barked once.
At first, I thought, "Did I make it angry?" but looking back now, I'm sure that was,
"I'm hungry! Give me something!"
a claim it was making, and it's a heartwarming memory now.
■ The family time the dog connected for us
Since the dog arrived, there has been more laughter in the house. We started going for walks, and the time we spend breathing in the fresh air outside has increased.
And there was one more happy change.
Our children started coming home regularly to see the dog.
The entryway is livelier than before, and I feel like the atmosphere flowing through the house has become somewhat softer.
Furthermore— arguments with my wife (lol) have definitely decreased since the dog arrived.
When the dog gets in between us, our tone of voice naturally becomes calmer. Even though it's a small presence, I realize it has the power to gently change the family atmosphere.
■ In closing
There are days when I don't feel well, but it is precisely on those days that I feel the gratitude for the presence of my family and pet.
If there is anyone else who feels like they haven't been able to get their energy up lately... there might be someone close to you who is quietly supporting your heart.
Thank you for reading. If you could empathize even a little, I would be happy if you could press the "Like" button.