Relatable

This week I was reunited with my litter sister! The last time I saw her was four-and-a-half years ago. Her name was Moon Mist back then and my name was Twist. We were the “soda pop pups”, named after the old fashioned Faygo pop and were surrendered to live at Bellwether Harbor Animal Shelter.

I wasn’t sure what to expect at the reunion, since I haven’t seen my sis in so long. Surprisingly, it was not overly eventful. There was not any growling or barking. We didn’t raise our hackles, we just sniffed and wondered around the yard. It wasn’t until we walked for a while that it sunk in…Wynter is my canine blood!

It was an odd feeling. I don’t really recall being “related” to a canine. All the family I am familiar with has been hooman. Sure, Nixin (my best buddy) feels like family, but he is a whole different breed. Wynter looks like me! She climbs on things like I do. Her tongue hangs sideways out of her mouth like mine, and her ears flop crooked – just like me. 

I like having a canine relative. One that I can share memories with – who was there for the big life changing moments. Wynter knows what it was like being dropped off at the shelter and taken from mom when we were only five weeks old. She was there when I first met my hoomans. She’s shared some of the scariest and most wonderful moments of my life. I never realized until we were reunited how important it was to spend time with family. Those who can look back in time and feel all the feelings that big life moments bring. The scariest fears and the most wonderful joy.

When Wynter and I were reunited – it was like no time had passed at all. We played and chased. Sniffed and wandered – but mostly it was nice to just lay in the grass and be together. That’s what makes having a family so great. We were able to just be ourselves.

So friends, if you have family that you haven’t seen in awhile – it’s time to schedule a renion. If the idea of that makes you nervous – don’t worry. Once you’re reunited, all the love and memories will come flooding back. It’s important to relive the good times with those that made those good times so great. Bark with the old dogs, who can fill in the blanks (if your pupper memory is hazy), and surround yourselves with those who have loved you from the very beginning.

If you’ve lost one of your pack – it’s even more important to keep in touch. Keeping the memory of those that passed on, alive in our hearts. Share in the laughter (and sometimes the tears) – with those that know you best. So make sure you meet up with your family this summer – you won’t regret it. The only thing to lose is time.

Bark at you next week – your friend,