My Daxie passed on many years ago but I thought that there would be many
people that would enjoy this story that my husband wrote for me about the
love that happens between a loving pet and it’s loving owner.
I have shared this with many people and have found that the feelings
are the same no matter what type of pet it happens to be.
My story is about the special relationship that my wife Jane
shares with her pet Dachshund. Their relationship supports the simple
premise that if you give love you will receive love in return.
Dax is a black and tan miniature Dachshund and was a Christmas gift
to my wife from my daughters Lynne and Jeanne and me.
Jane and Dax were introduced to one an-other in a pet store just before
Christmas three years ago.
As merchandise produced for the Christmas market he had been hurriedly
weaned from his mother in Larchwood Iowa transported to Kimball South Dakota
then shipped by air to Boston. In all his ten weeks he probably had very
little of the human contact that makes puppies respond with love.
The moment Jane cupped him in her two hands she felt the need to give and receive
warmth comfort and love. The doll blanket she’d brought to bring him home
in no longer seemed adequate. Instead she tucked him inside her coat up against
her natural warmth. I believe that this is when their mutual love and affection was born.
Jane motivated by a natural desire to cuddle and warm a tiny frightened puppy.
Dax responding naturally to that desire.
Once home their relationship flourished. It’s true that he is the object of attention from
all of us but Jane is the source from which so much else comes. Her’s are the hands
that feed him and cuddle him and pet him at days end. Her lap is the sanctuary when
the girls become to rough at play. Her’s are also the hands that discipline when he
forgets his house training but always in a way that helps remember rather than hurt.
Jane’s love shows in less obvious ways too. A careful look at our veterinarians’ files
would show that all the care needed to keep Dax healthy is diligently administered.
The metal tags that jingle on his collar tell a similar story. The current license the little
tag with the inscription which begins ” I belong ” both say that he is cared for.
To this love Dax responds in the only way he can with an equal measure of love.
For Jane he has reserved special signs of affection. He can recognize the sound of her
car and faithfully stations himself at whichever door she chooses to come in.
His greeting is a little dance of joy. He hops about on his two hind legs and yips his
special greeting until she bends down to receive his kiss which is really a little lick.
For the girls and me a vigorous wag of the tail and maybe a lick on the hand if offered
is the standard fare. At home Dax is her constant companion. He faithfully follows
her from room to room. When Jane goes outdoors he yips at the door until he’s let out.
If not he stations himself at the door until she comes in.
Daxs’ favorite game is to chase and catch a tossed ball. At playtime the ball is
always offered to Jane first in spite of offers from others. The slight to others is
unintentional he simply prefers Jane to anyone else. Jane is the focus of his
attention even when she’s busy ironing. Dax climbs into the laundry basket and
stays there until she’s finished. The fact that this maneuver earns him an
occasional pat on the head as she reaches for the clothes may be incidental
but I don’t think so.
This then is the essence of Jane’s relationship with Dax uncomplicated and direct.
Some might envy such a relationship; not the fact of it but rather the nature of it
because pettiness jealousy and resentment frequently tarnish human relationships.
How much better our world would be if we could love other people the way that
Jane and Dax love one another.
| Daxie |