Member-only story
Welcoming a New Dog
Did we save her, or did she save us?
She lays either at the foot of the bed or, if we permit her to sleep there that night, curled up between my partner and me, like she’s always belonged like we have always been her family and she has always been a part of our home. She is new to my world, yet she already moves through it with the ease of an old soul. Her eyes, deep and knowing, tell me she understands — this is home now.
I feel lucky. Luckily when she arrived, though our other dog initially met her with wariness, it took all of one day for her to warm up to her new friend. Lila, our Frenchton (Boston Terrier/French Bulldog mix) was scared and on guard at first; who was this new pup more commanding in size than her, who was aggressive both with her love and with wanting to play? But only a day later, the two came to an unspoken agreement: You are my sister. They move together now, side by side, shadows in the morning light, tails swaying in harmony, romping and playing tug of war as if they have always known each other.
