When my daughter eventually got an English Pointer, it felt like a natural addition to the family. She had always wanted a dog, and when she finally got one, it was a joyful experience. Mine a lovely enough dog; a quite well-behaved, but in my honest view, my daughter became a little too coddled with him. Mine was the name she gave him.
She gave him the freedom to explore the house and even allowed him to sleep on her bed, treating him like a child who was always being petted. I couldn’t deny that he was a terrific friend for her, despite the fact that I had some opinions about the way she brought up her devoted dog.
However, life dealt us a blow when it forced my daughter to leave home without warning, and she left behind mine in my care for a period of time so that I could take care of her. I had no idea that over this brief time period, Mine would become more than just my daughter’s puppy; he would become my devoted dog by default. I was completely unaware of this reality.
Establishing a Routine
I knew I needed to establish some ground rules when Mine came under my supervision since I knew I required them. The caring but somewhat relaxed attitude to training that my daughter took did not quite mesh with my own personal style. My preference was for things to be a little bit more controlled, and I was not as indulgent as before. I started by establishing a specific location for Mine to sleep, which became one of the first things I accomplished.
In order to transform a low shelf into a makeshift bed, I first removed some of the items from it and then placed a cushion on it. Not my bed or the couch, but simply that one shelf meant to be his place. I supposed him to be there. Almost immediately, the devoted dog came to the realization that this was his new sleeping arrangement.
During the first couple of nights, if he attempted to go into other areas of the home, I had to force him to return to his spot. In spite of this, Mine eventually became accustomed to the pattern and started sleeping on the shelf as he had been instructed to do, so solidifying his position as my devoted and loyal dog.
The Farewell and Reunion
When she departed once more, my daughter brought Mine back with her. This occurred after a few weeks had passed after she had returned home. I could tell that Mine had become accustomed to spending time with us, but being the devoted dog that he was, he instantly returned to her care, filled with joy at the prospect of being reunited with her. I assumed that Mine had moved on from his time spent with me as the months went by, and I didn’t give it any thought or consideration.
On the other hand, my daughter came back to visit, and this time she took Mine with her. When I first laid eyes on him, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement flood over me. It’s me, mine! I was wondering how my old friend is doing. “Have you been a pleasant young man?” A joyful and enthusiastic tone used to greet him. It is common for loyal dogs like Mine to remember their human friends, and I had the impression that he would be overjoyed to see me present.
On the other hand, it appears that something I said prompted a response that I was not anticipating.
Devoted Dog Returns to His Shelf
A change in Mine’s demeanor occurred almost immediately after I finished speaking. His body language, which had been lively and full of energy, became more subdued, and his tail stopped wagging. While he was looking at me with those eyes that were sorrowful and empathetic, he suddenly did something that startled me and touched me at the same time. My item placed on the low shelf, the same shelf that he slept on in the past.
One issue was that it was no longer on his shelf. This was the only difficulty. I had removed the pillow that I had placed for him several months before, and now the shelf was stuffed with a wide variety of hardware, including large motors, computer power supplies, and various equipment. Not a single aspect of that location was appealing or comfortable anymore.
In spite of this, my devoted dog managed to squeeze himself in between the hardware, forcing himself into the few inches of space that existed between the top of the crates and the bottom of the shelf that was the next one up.
And then he glanced at me with those same sorrowful eyes, making sure that I saw that he was being a good boy. He curled up there as best he could, and then he looked at me. Exactly as I had instructed him to do, he was making an effort to be my devoted dog.
The Heartwarming Conclusion
I couldn’t help but feel an overpowering rush of emotion when I saw Mine there, tucked up in an awkward position between the tools and the hardware. After a period of time apart, he was able to recall the schedule that I had established for him. It was one of the most heartwarming experiences I’ve had with a dog because of the demonstration of his unwavering devotion and enthusiasm to fulfill his master’s wishes.
It was only natural that I would try to convince him to get out of his confined position by assuring him that he was no longer need to sleep on that shelf. During that particular night, Mine was able to sleep in the bed that belonged to my daughter, which was far more comfortable for him.
However, I will never forget the moment when my devoted dog returned to his appointed location, making a concerted effort to behave in a manner that was beneficial to me. The profound connection that can develop between humans and their dogs demonstrated by his unwavering devotion, unwavering loyalty, and unwavering desire to please himself.
It is possible that my dog would have returned to being my daughter’s dog, but at that very instant, he demonstrated to me what it actually meant to be a dog. Because of this, I have no doubt that he will always have a unique and significant place in my heart.
