He’s not your prince charming if he doesn’t make sure you know that you’re his princess. – Demi Lovato
He’s not your prince charming if he doesn’t make sure you know that you’re his princess. – Demi Lovato
As a child, I always wanted a dog. Alas, my father was career military and never granted me my wish. He refused to be one of those awful people who get a dog then abandon it when they move. Admirable, yes, but I still wanted a dog! When my father retired, he brought home a German shepherd puppy for the family. We were all delighted! My mother had grown up with beagles and was confident she could guide us in raising the new addition. BIG MISTAKE. The two breeds are nothing alike, and our puppy Jade grew into a huge territorial male who guarded our family and home with chilling determination.
One day Jade went after my boyfriend but only ripped clothing, not skin. Next, he went after one of my little brother’s friends, but Dad stopped him just in time. To make matters worse, both my boyfriend and my brother’s friend were in the house at the time. They weren’t intruders in the yard. Dad decided Jade had to go. His new owner knew German shepherds well and would use him as a guard dog. I was heartbroken. We only had Jade for a year and a half, but I grieved for a long time. My father announced a new dog was out of the question, and that was that.
Fast forward through college and graduation. I started seriously dating a young Navy corpsman (medic). He told me he planned on making the military his career, and that wives were half-jokingly referred to as having, “The toughest job in the Navy.” But I’d been a “military brat” all my life and knew the score. We soon became engaged.
My new fiancé asked me what I wanted for a wedding present. Inspired by love, he told me, “The sky’s the limit!” I surprised the hell out of him when I said I wanted a dog, and his solemn promise that my pet would never be left behind. I didn’t even know if he was a dog lover, although his family had once owned a husky. But I was serious in my request. He carefully thought it over before replying. Naval men could be stationed all over the world: Italy, Japan, the Philippines, Hawaii, and the list went on, as did the lengthy quarantines for dogs entering the country. Some quarantines were six months long—if the dog even survived the lengthy, cold overseas flight in the cargo hold. My guy’s Navy brother had loved his overseas duty stations, and my fiancé might want to experience that, too. I knew my wish for a dog wasn’t a simple one.
But he came through for me. My future husband solemnly vowed that he would never put in for overseas duty, and I could get my dog, but with one condition. I nervously waited to hear what “the catch” would be. It was simple. I had to agree to never feed my dog from the table. That was it! We sealed our deal with a hug and a kiss, and I fell in love with him even more. My new husband would settle for being bounced from East Coast to West Coast and back again. His family was from Massachusetts, and after the honeymoon we went to the state’s “Dog Orphans” shelter to rescue “my dog.”
I went for the complete opposite of a German Shepherd—an Irish Setter. Happy, friendly, boisterous, good with strangers, and according to the books, a “lousy guard dog.” I knew Brandy and I were the right fit! We bonded right away. My husband worked long hours, different shifts, and was often out of state teaching. Brandy was my faithful pal, then a great babysitter to my two young children. But it seemed my bonny boy had a little German Shepherd in him himself. He prevented three break ins! We had the open door, then a broken window, and lastly a smashed lamp near an open window to prove it. What could have happened to a mother alone with her children if we’d abandoned my dog when we moved to a new base? I loved my protective buddy even more.
Brandy soon ignited my rabid “animal lover genes.” With my husband’s blessing, soon the kids and I had three dogs, one cat, two horses, a parrot, a cockatiel, two French lop rabbits, five guinea pigs, and a chinchilla. Most were rescues, including one of the horses. My children grew up with a deep respect for all life, and learned that love also comes with responsibilities and dedication. The joys and memories we had with our many four-legged friends shaped us for the better.
I gained more than just a dog when I said I wanted one for my wedding present. I gained a husband who kept his word, paid the bills for our menagerie without complaint, and showed me what true love was-fulfilling his spouse’s dream. In his 26 years in the Navy, we never went overseas or left one animal behind. We moved to new duty stations with two carloads full of children and animals, and paid for horse transport.
Fast forward again 46 years. I’m down to one miniature dachshund and two parakeets. Brandy, my beloved Irish Setter, is long gone, but the man who promised to never separate us is still at my side. Turns out he’s an animal lover, too, and was all along. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
DOG WRITERS OF AMERICA 2023 National Writing Contest Winner.
Please see “BLOG” in the Table of Contents to read about the creation of the winning entry. Another interview is also posted there, where the author shares with readers her thought process when writing fiction.
