IT’S ABOUT A BOY…AND HIS DOG

Allow me to introduce you to my grandson, Tayo, and his beloved pet, Owen.  

What do you think they’re thinking at the very moment this picture was snapped? 

My heart is always warmed when I look at this photo because the unique and extraordinary bond is undeniable between this boy and his furry friend.

As Tayo grew up, I witnessed many precious moments these two shared.  They’d be curled up together in front of the television or sleeping peacefully to keep warm on chilly nights, legs and limbs all tangled up. Daredevil bike rides up and down the nearby lane at breakneck speeds – it was always a toss-up to see who’d win the race home.

Ever-faithful Owen was by Tayo’s side regardless of the time of day or the weather outside.

Owen wasn’t the very first pooch in my grandson’s life. 

Irie was already a part of the family and the Queen of the household when Tayo was born. Giselle fell in love with the Blue Heeler puppy and Irie proved herself to be the very best watchdog she could have ever imagined.

Giselle recalls the time when two-year-old Tayo wandered from his bed one night, dragging his ladybug backpack I’d given him to the living room couch. The heartwarming picture she woke to was unforgettable:  Tayo asleep on the couch, his head resting on the lady bug backpack and Irie tucked in close beside him.

Irie never missed an opportunity for her snuggle time as soon as there was movement on the bed, jumping up to crush everyone’s legs with 80+ pounds of energetic bulk – not so fun for those of us slow risers. 

My visits to Squamish, B.C. was always entertaining with two dogs and a feline friend as pets for the family. Owen slept in Tayo’s room.  Irie slept in Giselle’s.  In the morning when Tayo would slip into the warm bed between his mom and I, and Owen would follow then Irie. They just couldn’t resist despite all attempts to train the dogs to "Stay Off The Bed". 

It made for a very crowded bed when I was visiting. Irie had her own canine interpretation of the "No Bed Rule" and loved to sneak a little blanket cover to keep warm during the cold winter months.  One morning, she managed to wiggle her way under my blankets at the foot of the bed AND by keeping her back feet planted on the floor, she felt she was following the house rules. Too cute to discipline that day.

Both beloved dogs are gone now but the precious memories linger for my grandson and me.  Tayo remembers the days when Irie was his constant companion as a baby and how Owen stuck close to him and followed him everywhere through his childhood. 

To this day, we laugh about how Owen would never lie down in a moving vehicle and how we caught him sleeping sitting up leaning against the car window on the drive to Tofino.  

When Tayo was 8 and I was visiting for the summer, 14-year-old Irie passed on. She had wandered off as dog do when they know it is there time.  After searching all day, she was found but was to weak to walk and one of the neighbours carried her home.  

It was a sad time for all of us.

Owen’s passing was entirely different and impacted Tayo greatly and broke his heart. Owen met an untimely death when he was attacked by possibly a cougar, we actually do not know. He wandered off and his remains were never recovered, only his collar was found leaving no way for Tayo to say goodbye.

I feel that pets can contribute significantly to the growth and development of a child. They provide many learning opportunities whether its caring and nurturing and it is usually their first experience of loss when their pet dies. 

Of course, they bring endless joy, boundless love and precious memories.  Then there is the lesson of attachment, the deep bond of friendship that is uniquely forged between a boy, and his dog. 

Why not consider adding a furry friend to your family?