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The Love of a Golden Retriever

I have never felt love so pure.

By Megan BrownPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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Photo Credit: Dogtime

He was bought without a second thought. He was meant to be a gift for me to not focus on the pain of my past. To heal the wounds that I have buried inside of me. But in reality, he had healed more than just me. When he entered my life, he was small, slept on my lap the whole way home. Wasn't as excited as his siblings were when I was able to pick out the one I wanted. His tail had a little nub on the top from a little accident. I think it made him special. His ears were darker than the rest of his fur. He was my saving grace. I stared at him as the car headed towards his new home. He was precious, whining ever so slightly before curling closer to me. I held him the whole way, never knowing that I was holding my whole world.

My mom wasn't the happiest with the idea of a new puppy. My grandpa was mad believing he had wasted $150 dollars, but as their eyes both landed on the light, golden nugget they were happy with the choice and never seemed to regret it. I got questioned what his name would be, as I had been looking for one for months. But the perfect name had stuck out to me—his name is Dexter Dean, a mixture of my favorite TV show characters; Dexter from the HBO series Dexter and Dean from Supernatural. A perfect combination for a perfect dog.

His eyes stole my heart at first glance. It has been a year since he has graced my life. A perfect year. I hate to be away from him because of school but love the journey home to be welcomed by the wagging of a tail and the joy that is able to be seen in his brown eyes.

But there are moments that he picks the nerves and his bark pierces the ears. Moments he needs to be put in a place and calmed down. His head would lower with his body as it sprawled out on the floor. His head would lay on the wooden floor as a sigh would escape, his eyes looking forward rather than up at you. He pulled at the heartstrings because he knew that he could have whatever he wanted.

I never fell for it, but my mom sure did. I was labeled the dictator when I was home, as I was the one that disciplined the big, golden beast. But no matter what had happened, no matter what, I always seemed to know that I had someone that loved me. "He loves everyone," my mom always told me. But I know there was a special place in his heart for me as there was in mine for him.

When you cry it is the worst thing, especially in front of him. He jumps at you while barking, trying to get your hands. If you are placed on the floor, he will try to tackle you, making sure your hands are not placed on your face. Dexter does this with a smile on his face. His teeth might be sharp but he just wants you to be as happy as he is, so the scratches and small bite marks are out of love, not anger.

When you walk into his space of the house—he has space because our little dog thinks that he owns everything and deserves everything and that Dexter should have nothing. So, keeping them separated is the best option. When in his, Dexter's space, he grabs the nearest toy and rams it against your leg, begging you to play, wanting you to play fetch with him or a good game of tug of war. His teeth grazing against your bare feet isn't the best feeling in the world.

When you leave, he will lay by the gate waiting for you to return, waiting for you to enter his realm and give him the attention he craves. He wants to be smothered in attention no matter if you have given him hours of it beforehand. The best time to love him without becoming the chew toy of the day is early in the morning. Dexter will just lay on the floor, roll on his side beside you, and demand a chest rub. That is the only thing that brings a massive smile on his face beside opening the treat bag. He isn't the smallest thing being a year old, but he imagines he is small enough to fit in your lap. No matter how much you protest, he will place himself there as he chews on a bone or a toy.

I have had many dogs in my life, some that I loved and cherished and some I had saved. But when you get to make the choice of picking one out, naming it, and seeing it grow, the connection is already placed there. Nothing can come between you guys. The love of a golden retriever is something special. I wouldn't trade it for the world. He cherishes me just as much or even more than I cherish him.

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