Is it possible for an animal to heal the human heart?

How could a dog save your life? Well, to start. I dunno. What I do know about my pitbull, Braddah, is he’s human. Really. If you’ve ever met him. You’d agree. There’s something about him you can’t exactly explain. It’s like he’s present with you. His mind is thinking. He can completely understand what’s going on around him.

This Cinco de Mayo will mark Braddah’s 10th birthday. I’m more than honored to be his “mom”. This guy. I owe him everything.

During my darkest hours, he was there. Whether it was because I was crying or sad for no reason (except life itself). He was there. Pinning me down and licking away my tears until I burst out into laughter. Cuddling and sleeping in with me as I’d wish another new day wouldn’t begin. Getting me outside and remembering the serenity only nature can give you. This guy. I owe him everything.

We would drive and drive and drive to get away from my thoughts, I would have dark thoughts. I’d wonder what it would feel like if I Thelma & Louise’d this bitch as I’m approaching a cliff I could never come back from. If I left Braddah at home, he was destructive, so he was usually driving with me. I could do it if it was only me. I couldn’t do it to him. That might sound crazy to you. But I felt that my problems were completely unfair to this innocent animal.

Braddah reminded me how to have fun. He got me hiking again. How else was I gonna wear him out? If I didn’t wear him out I’d have bigger problems. Actual memory: Chewed up prescriptions glasses. Twice. Within the same week. Yep. I learned after that. This crazy dude required 2 hours of activity a day when he was young. Living alone that’s hard. You’re also responsible for all your own grocery shopping, errands, fixing stuff in your house, etc. The list could go on forever. At first I resented him for it. How dare he take up so much of my time? Little did I know, those hikes would slowly bring me back to myself.

His kisses and loves would slowly light the way. The fact that I’ve NEVER seen a pitbull so dang crazy to swim would bring me back to the water. Whether a river, lake or the ocean, he was puuuuuuuuullllllllin’. We had a waterhole we frequented at Calico Basin near Red Rock, Nevada. People would watch from above and laugh. He’s a hilarious swimmer. Again, making me laugh would slowly creep into feelings of joy.

To your surprise, I have to report I didn’t want him. He was my ex-husbands' pitbull. I didn’t want the responsibility. It seemed unfair. But it happened to turn out that my living situation could take the pitbull while his couldn’t. I had a dog. Fuck. Today, I still can’t believe I felt that way. This pitbull is my soulmate. He brought me back from the brink of a self-induced death. I’ve never known someone so loyal. So loving. This dog could get love for days and not get enough. He IS love. And I’m fortunate to be his.

Don’t underestimate the love of an animal. They may save you. It was Braddah’s tenderness (more than any human in my life at that time) that made me reconsider where I stood. On the biggest decision of my life. For my life.

Sometimes we’re embarrassed to admit a species ‘lower than humans’ could be our saving grace. I invite you to tell me about your special fish/bird/dolphin/dog/chinchilla/exotic lion experience. The one that changed everything for you. Let’s share. I bet I’m not the only one.

Let’s give our animals special love this Cinco de Mayo. Celebrate Braddah’s 10th birthday with me. There’s so many people that love you Braddah Man. You’re a special dude.

Love,
Waffle
Ps. Share with anyone you know that has a special animal experience. I’d love to hear their story.

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One of my favorite pics of Braddah Man!

Braddah & Emma are always thirsty. What good dogs.

THIS guy! Braddah means everything to me. He taught me how to find my joy.