I Can’t Believe He’s Back!
Coping with loss
The similarities are uncanny. I say something silly, and he scrunches his brow in a perplexed, funny, not at all judgy way. I know that look.
Or we’re watching tennis, or any sport on TV, and he gets so into it. Won’t take his eyes off the screen.
The mere glimpse of a “treat” leaves him paralysed, unable to do anything until he’s satisfied that need.
It’s so obvious. My dog is my dad reincarnate.
I’d been considering getting a dog for a while. But travelling as much as we did to see my dad in his last years made having one tricky. Then my dad passed away.
Sometimes I’d look at adoption websites. Occasionally I sent an email. But when I saw Leo, I became obsessed. I called straight away, and followed up with emails, describing our family and saying I worked from home. I sent photos of our garden and house. I really wanted that dog.
Leo sneezes a lot. My dad used to sneeze like 20 times in a row, usually after a beer. My dad loved simple pleasures. Good food, walks, having everyone home. Just like Leo.
Leo is unusually tidy for a dog. He doesn’t shed, walks around puddles — not clomping through them like most dogs — and loves baths. My dad took out the trash daily. He was always doing laundry…
