Abby Kennels, the Red Sox and Love

Growing up in Boston, I was only ever given one fashion rule:  never wear Yankees’ clothing.  I regret to admit that, however a brief two seconds it was, I broke that rule and am now considered by some to be a fair weather Red Sox fan.  In light of Opening Day at Fenway Park, I’ve been thinking a lot about baseball in Boston and have concluded that Red Sox lovers are among the two groups of people I think most passionate and happy about their chosen love – the other being dog lovers.

I’ve always loved dogs.  I was the child who wore my parents down and became the proud owner of a beautiful dog named Heidi.  Heidi was my best friend and confidant.  When she died, my parents decided not to get another dog.  As heartbroken as I was, I was also out on my own and too busy to protest.

Fast forward several years and I’m standing at Abby Kennels, waiting to pick up our German Shepherd puppy.  We named her Mia, meaning  “mine.” When Kevin Lanouette, the owner of the Kennel, handed us this tiny puppy, I realized how much I had missed dogs.

That got me thinking – why do we love dogs so much?  Part of it is most certainly because they love us!  But part is, I believe, their natural happiness.  Mia gets excited for everything from the train pulling into the station to eating a pretzel piece at night before bed.  She is always happy to see everyone and embraces everything with over-the-top enthusiasm.  That level of excitement and love doesn’t exist in anything or anyone else.

Someone told me that dogs can tell when humans are crying not by the tears that we shed but by the way our breathing changes when we are sad.  When I cry, Mia sticks her head on my lap and wags her tail.  She will not leave.   That kind of intuitive, instinctual love is rarely paralleled.   How can you not love something that loves you so much?

Whenever I’m home, I try to visit Abby Kennels.  I love being surrounded by dogs and dog lovers.  I realize how much comfort dogs bring us, no matter what they’re doing.  You simply cannot stay mad when throwing a Frisbee for a dog!  I love visiting the puppies - everything seems better in a room full of tiny, happy puppies.  But my favorite thing is watching a training class.  There is something magical about the bond between owner and dog that training brings out.

In some ways you could say I’m a fair weather dog owner – I have no responsibility for Mia.  I come home to play with her and enjoy her company without doing any of the work.  I don’t  know where her leashes are kept and I’m pretty sure she only humors me when she sits for my command.  But I bought her a Red Sox bandana for Opening Day and a Red Sox leash.  Personally, I think that solidifies my love of both dogs and the Sox!

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