A Dog in any language….

This week I returned from vacation. My husband, his brother, and my sister-in-law traveled together for several weeks – 26 days to be exact.

I’ve been on vacations of this length before, and the same thing always happens to me.  The first week or so is always fun, but around day 10 I start getting really homesick. I miss the rhythm of home and I miss my dogs. I miss their cuddling up with me on the couch in the evening, their boisterous greetings when I return home from a trip to the store, and their soft, warm bellies that they want me to rub.

As we walked around foreign cities, I saw dogs on leashes, dogs playing together on grassy knolls, and dogs just walking alone down cobblestone streets. They always brought a smile to my face and gave my heart a little tug.

One day, in Spain, I saw a dog that reminded me so much of my little Stella, that I had to stop and speak to the dog’s owner. I told her that her dog was adorable and that it reminded me of my own dog, whom I missed very much. We spoke different languages, and the woman didn’t understand me.  I held my hand near her dog’s nose, so it could smell me. I gave the woman a questioning look, and she understood that I wanted to pet her dog. She smiled and nodded.

I had my phone in hand and quickly scrolled to a photo that our dogsitter had just sent to me, showing Stella enjoying a trip to Walmart.  I showed the woman the photo. She placed her hand over her heart, smiled, and nodded with even more enthusiasm.

We may not have understood each other’s spoken languages, but we did understand each other. Love is universal; and a dog, in any language, is Love.

A Dog in any language Karen Schulz

 

 

 

 

 

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Comments (14)

  1. DeLoris Musick

    OMGosh – I can soo relate with you! I don’t like being away from home and I get homesick real easy. Yes, dogs are LOVE!.. If I could here I would have a dog, but the restrictions are too much for me and it’s not worth it. I love dogs. I had a Pomeranian named Petey and he was my comfort dog. He went with me everywhere! He passed away from Kidney Disease April 2016. My heart still yearns for him. I love cats too and I am very blessed to have Heidi. But there is nothing more comforting than a dog.

    November 21, 2019 at 11:21 am
  2. Barbara Barker

    Awww! What a wonderful experience for both of you!! Glad you made it safely home.

    November 21, 2019 at 12:16 pm
  3. Glori

    Reading this made me smile

    November 21, 2019 at 12:22 pm
    • Karen

      Thanks, Glori.:) I know you’re a cat mama, but I hope you can relate.

      November 22, 2019 at 5:36 am
  4. Sue Ogden

    Aw geez, that’s at least a 2 Kleenex note! But what great photos!!!!!

    November 21, 2019 at 9:22 pm
    • Karen

      Ahhh… I’m glad it touched you. The photo of Stella is blurry, but I thought it was so cute. It truly looks like she’s smiling.

      November 22, 2019 at 5:35 am
  5. Steph

    Great story about the universal language – love.

    November 23, 2019 at 8:31 am
  6. shadowwings4god

    Karen, I don’t have a dog for various reasons, but can relate as I do miss having one, so when I see a dog and know they are friendly I stop to pet them with the owners permission. I do have cats and most have been rescued, 3 now but normally have 4. I love seeing your posts of your dogs, so keep them coming! Hugs, Vicki

    November 25, 2019 at 2:14 am
    • Karen

      Hi Vicki! Bless you for rescuing the cats in need. They are different from dogs but still bring joy and love. I’m glad you enjoy my stories. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂

      November 25, 2019 at 6:00 am
  7. Jan

    They both look like my Max who is sitting on my lap as I type this. I’ve had Heinz, Doberman’s and my poodle mostly Max and they’re all wonderful,unconditional love. A reason to get up, to come home, to go outside, to enjoy life.

    November 26, 2019 at 8:11 am
    • Karen

      Perfectly stated, Jan. I couldn’t agree more.

      November 26, 2019 at 9:13 am
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