When You Know, You Know
“Call them now. We can’t let someone else beat us to him,” Ron urged me when I showed him the photo on the dog rescue’s website in early 2021. We both wanted to meet this big-eyed puppy named Tiny as soon as possible. Later, we would discover how that pull on our hearts would be lifesaving.
When the foster dog mom led us to her backyard, five little puppies galloped toward us, their tails wagging and noses sniffing. Discovered in a New Mexico cave a few weeks earlier, this cattle dog mix litter was transported to a Denver rescue group. The four girls soon sauntered off while their brother, the smallest in the litter, jumped onto my knees and began licking my face. Ron squatted beside me and was promptly rewarded with Tiny’s kisses, too. Two weeks later, he moved into our home; Ron and I were giddy like new parents.
Paying the (Hidden) High Costs of Dog Adoption
With the last of the five children in our blended family off to college, we were ready for the pitter-patter of Tiny’s feet to fill our quiet house. Only he wouldn’t be Tiny anymore. We chose to call him Banjo, a happy-sounding name for what we anticipated would be a happy life with us. Plus, in no time at all, he’d outgrow his tiny stature. Our once ten-pound Cattle Dog-German Shepherd-American Bulldog-Chow Chow-Rottweiler-Mutt-mix dog now tips the scales at sixty-plus pounds.
In the four years since we adopted Banjo, he’s helped us outgrow our complacent lives. We splurged on an RV in 2023 to take him camping across the U.S. We certainly laugh more, amused by his silly antics, like how he carries his empty metal food bowl to us in his mouth when he wants to be fed, even if he’s just eaten. When his barks turn to howls, we’ve learned he’s telling us to stop whatever we’re doing and play with him. It works.
Twice, Banjo needed surgery on his back legs, and since we couldn’t imagine anything hindering his adventures, we shelled out the big bucks. In appreciation of our care and attention, Banjo has ensured that we stay alive and healthy.
Reaping the (Priceless) Rewards of Dog Adoption
One winter morning in 2024, well before dawn, Banjo stood at Ron’s bedside, pawing at him until he woke up. Ron assumed Banjo needed to go out, but as he walked down the hall, he noticed he didn’t feel good. Moments later, he shook my shoulder to wake me, calmly telling me about pain in his throat and tightness in his chest, and even though he thought it’d end up being nothing serious, it’d be a good idea to get it checked out at the ER. Still half asleep, I agreed. Before we drove away, I reminded Banjo, as always, to be a good boy, and we’d be home soon. Part of that would be true.
I returned home alone a few hours later to make plans with our neighbors to watch Banjo. Ron had had a heart attack that morning and would need surgery. Thankfully, he received the care he needed in time, because of Banjo. Our dog had woken him up at 4 a.m., not to go outside, but to save his master’s life.
Banjo is Still Rescuing Us
When Ron was discharged ten days later, I helped him settle comfortably in the living room recliner before getting Banjo from next door. Then I stood back as Banjo came inside and discovered his dad was home. Banjo ran to him, put his front paws on the recliner’s armrest, and began kissing him as they had when they first met.
During Ron’s recovery, taking Banjo on walks helped rejuvenate my spirit, even if it was also a constant reminder of the pain in my right hip, which had worsened in the past year. I finally decided to see my doctor about it and was surprised to learn I had late-stage severe arthritis, which could only be fixed with a total hip replacement.
When the surgeon asked what I hoped to gain from the procedure in the summer of 2024, I responded without hesitation, saying I wanted to be able to take my dog on walks. My furry friend needed me to exercise with him, and I needed the mental health boost that comes from those walks.
As Ron and I continue to get stronger, we are enjoying camping trips, hikes, and long walks with Banjo, our rescue pup who is still rescuing us.